10 Torr Distillery and Brewery is not just another brewery with exposed brick walls, barrel tables and Edison bulbs. Though it has those creature comforts we’ve all come to love in neighborhood breweries, the inner workings of this distillery and brewery speak to much greater ambition and dedication to craft.
Lead Distiller Thomas Lee, who is nearing 15 years of experience with 10 Torr and has worked for most of Reno’s breweries at one point or another, took me on a tour of the brewery and distillery. With a background in culinary arts and chemical engineering, Lee has the perfect blend of knowledge for fermenting grains into spirits.
Photo: 10 Torr Lead Distiller Thomas Lee leading a tour.
Lee explained that 10 Torr has several engineers who work for them, and their brewing and distilling technology includes custom-made, patented fermentation tanks designed in partnership with Encore, a local technology firm, as well a vacuum pump for cold distillation.
The name 10 Torr refers to the reduction of atmospheric pressure from Reno’s nearly 700 torr to a double-digit value (not quite 10) by use of the vacuum pump technology. At this reduced level of pressure, the product can be boiled at around 70°F. Cold distilling doesn’t require as much processing as hot distilling, resulting in a smoother, better-quality product. Japanese distilleries, which have taken American whiskey and other spirits to otherworldly levels of quality, are known for their use of vacuum distillation, and 10 Torr is set up to compete with the best of the world’s distilleries.
While they have no shortage of excellent beers, which are available in the tap room that sits above the brewing facility, Lee explained that the brewery market is a bit overcrowded right now so they are expanding their distillation side of the business. Responding to consumer demand, they have entered the market of ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails — fruity, zesty alternatives to beer with a slightly higher alcohol content than beer.
A view of the 10 Torr distillery, where there newest vodka-baesd ready-to-drink creation, Spill the Tea, is created. This photo and above by Dan Bablinskas
10 Torr has a unique RTD creation coming out soon, known as Spill the Tea. This vodka-based cocktail infuses marionberry, Early Gray tea and a hint of lime together in a sumptuous treat, both sweet and sour but without too much of either. It’s downright tasty and highly drinkable and will soon be available at Reno restaurants, bars and grocery stores.
As for tours, anyone can book a trip to the brewery and distillery to listen to Lee or another member of the team explain all the details about their brilliant creations. They have four tours — one basic option, one focused on brewing, one on distillation and one for the whole grand experience (highly recommended) that includes several tastings of both their brews and spirits.
A few hit creations, which are offered during the tours, include their blonde ale, their coffee liqueur (whose coffee is roasted by Reno’s Hub coffee) and their London Dry Gin. I enjoyed their incredibly smooth and easy-to-drink vodka, but Lee explained that there is demand for a drier martini-style vodka that is now in the works. Lee and the team are also working on a Czech pilsner and updates to their whiskey production to help bring down costs and increase the bottle sizes. And these whiskeys will be using white American oak, not merely American oak.
“Even single barrel’s quality can vary significantly at any given time,” Lee explained, showcasing the team’s dedication to the details.
Line-dancing on a Thursday evening in the 10 Torr Tap Room. Photo by Dan Bablinskas
Tours notwithstanding, the Tap Room alone is worth a visit to try some spirits or beer and to engage with the locals. Many young singles were present on a random Thursday evening, engaged in line dancing directed by one of the bartenders. 10 Torr also hosts trivia nights every other Wednesday, which are doubtlessly fun and interesting. All in all, 10 Torr has the feel of a neighborhood bar where people actually know each other and talk to each other, and you can talk to the bartenders, brewers and distillers at any given time.
Whether you’re visiting Reno or are a long-time resident, carve out some time to take a tour at 10 Torr soon to experience their craft brews and spirits right where they are envisioned, concocted and canned.
10 TORR Distillery and Brewery
About the Author Dan Bablinskas
Dan Bablinskas is a relentlessly curious person with a passion for travel, foreign languages, affordable food and lodgings, well-fashioned cappuccinos and refreshing craft brews. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in creative writing, he traveled through Europe and South America while working as an English teacher and travel blogger. After trying a number of different careers, he settled into technical and content writing for his day job. In his spare time, he enjoys exploring the Reno-Tahoe area by foot, car, bike and ski. He lives in Reno with his wife and two kids. 
