In the world of fine spirits, sometimes a bold marketing move can turn forgotten barrels into legends. Back in 2000, Japan's Hanyu Distillery shut down amid tough finances and fading interest in local whisky. But Ichiro Akuto, the founder's grandson, stepped in and saved 400 casks of aged stock. He needed a smart way to sell it—something eye-catching for bar shelves. That's how the Ichiro’s Malt Card Series came about: a lineup of single cask releases, each bottle labeled with a playing card from a standard deck. From 2005 to 2014, they put out 54 bottles total—52 regular cards plus two jokers. These quickly became collector gold. In 2020, a complete set fetched $1.52 million at a Bonhams auction in Hong Kong, and today, individual bottles can command over $50,000.
Fast forward to upstate New York, where Joel LeVangia, owner and general manager of Tenmile Distillery in Wassaic, drew inspiration from that Japanese success story. Tenmile crafts American single malt whiskey using barley grown right in New York State. LeVangia faced his own challenge: how to get folks excited about his product and boost sales. He admired Akuto's approach. “That guy, [Ichiro], I think, was a real student of the marketing game,” says Joel LeVangia, the owner and general manager of Tenmile Distillery in Wassaic, N.Y. “And he gave me a really stupid idea.”
LeVangia's first brainstorm was a series tied to every county in New York— all 62 of them, from the bustling streets of Manhattan to the quiet corners of Essex or St. Lawrence. But he laughed it off, saying, “But who’s going to collect a f*cking Herkimer County bottle?” It was 2024, and with America's 250th anniversary—the Semiquincentennial—looming in 2026, memories of the 1976 Bicentennial celebrations from his childhood kicked in. Born in 1975, LeVangia recalled the national buzz and figured there'd be some excitement this time around too. He saw a chance to tap into that patriotic spirit.
Diving into history books on the Revolutionary War opened his eyes to overlooked tales that never made it into standard school lessons. One standout was the Battle of Stony Point, commanded by General "Mad Anthony" Wayne. LeVangia was amazed to learn that years later, DC Comics wove this into Batman's lore—Bruce Wayne's family ties back to Wayne Manor, the ancestral home linked to that very Revolutionary hero. “The Battle of Stony Point was led by this general, ‘Mad Anthony’ Wayne,” explains LeVangia. “Years later, when DC Comics is creating a backstory for its hero from Gotham City, they’re like, he lives in Wayne Manor, which is the ancestral home of the Wayne family, descendants of Anthony Wayne, Revolutionary War hero. Are you joking me?! I didn’t know that.”
Stories like that piled up, sparking the idea for Tenmile's Revolutionary Series—a collectible whiskey lineup that doubles as a history lesson on America's fight for independence. Each bottle highlights a specific battle or event, blending great whiskey with storytelling to draw in enthusiasts who appreciate both a good pour and a good yarn.
The series kicked off quietly in the fall of 2024 with the debut bottle, called Revolutionary Whisky: The Chain That Saved America. It honors the massive iron chain the Continental Army strung across the Hudson River at West Point from 1776 to 1778, a clever defense tactic to block British ships. This whiskey stands out with its flavor profile: deep notes of maple syrup, a subtle hint of smoke, and just the right kick of spice. It's the kind of dram that warms you up on a chilly evening, perfect for savoring while pondering the ingenuity of those early patriots.
Building on that start, 2025 brought four more releases: the Battle of Brooklyn, the Battle of White Plains, the Battle of Groton Heights, and the Battle of Stony Point. The Stony Point edition features an image of "Mad Anthony" Wayne on the label, and it's a blend aged in ex-Pinot Noir and ex-bourbon barrels. Interest picked up steadily, with several of these early bottles already sold out at the distillery. Unlike the single cask approach of the Ichiro series, each Revolutionary release mixes three to four barrels, yielding between 600 and 1,500 bottles per edition. Right now, the whiskey in these is aged five to six years, but as the project rolls on, they'll incorporate stock that's at least eight years old, promising even smoother, more complex profiles.
LeVangia believes the current batches are solid enough to introduce the series to the world. “But I also feel really comfortable having these current releases as our coming-out party,” he says. “Because the whiskey is really good.” He's betting that as word spreads, folks will circle back to hunt down the earlier ones, driving up demand.
Things are set to ramp up big time in 2026, aligning perfectly with the anniversary celebrations. Tenmile plans to drop a new battle-themed bottle every month, starting with the Raid on Richmond in January. March will feature the Battle of Quebec, July brings the Siege of Fort Ticonderoga, and October spotlights the Battle of Saratoga—a turning point that helped convince France to join the American cause. This monthly rollout keeps the momentum going, giving collectors something to look forward to all year.
Pricing makes it accessible for serious fans: single bottles run $85 each. But for those committed to the full experience, there's a pre-order option for all 12 of 2026's releases at $675, dropping the per-bottle cost to about $56. That deal includes a special gift tube with custom glassware and a "Great Chain" keychain—a nod to the first bottle's theme. So far, they've moved 50 of these sets, a promising sign that the concept is catching on.
Looking ahead, the entire series will span 57 bottles, released over the next few years. Could this become the U.S. equivalent of the Ichiro Malt Card Series? Skeptics might say no—the whiskey collecting scene has evolved since 2005, with more options and savvier buyers. But early signs point to real buzz. LeVangia shares that some eager customers are already asking to snag the whole lineup upfront. “Part of the reason we’re doing 12 [bottles] next year is because there are a couple of guys who’ve asked me, ‘Hey, can I just buy all of them now?’” says LeVangia. “I’m like, I don’t want to tell you how much money that will be.” Crunch the numbers, and it's around $3,000 for the complete set—not bad for a collection that could appreciate if the hype builds.
Regional ties are fueling sales too. Bottles are gaining traction in historic spots tied to the Revolutionary War, beyond just big cities like Boston or Philadelphia. Take Rhinebeck, New York, or Ridgefield, Connecticut, where the Keeler Tavern—a site from the era—still has a cannonball embedded in its wall from the Battle of Ridgefield. That battle's bottle is slated for next summer, and the tavern has already locked in 60 units. It's on track to sell out before it even hits shelves.
LeVangia envisions a snowball effect: as newer releases draw attention, people will scour for the sold-out older ones. “Eventually, I believe, people will go looking for back issues in the series, and see they’re all sold out,” says LeVangia. “‘Oh, but there’s one on the internet for 300 bucks. You know what? I got to have it.’ And they buy it. And then other people are like, ‘People are paying $300 for a $60 bottle of whiskey?! Is this stuff good?’ That’s what I hope happens.”
For whiskey aficionados who enjoy the hunt as much as the sip, this series offers a unique blend of American heritage and craftsmanship. It's not just about building a collection; it's about rediscovering the gritty determination that shaped the nation, one battle at a time. As the Semiquincentennial approaches, Tenmile's Revolutionary Series stands as a toast to that enduring spirit—proof that a clever idea, rooted in history, can still stir up plenty of interest in today's crowded spirits market. Whether you're stocking your home bar or chasing rarities, this could be the start of something worth raising a glass to.
