7 Woman-Run Whiskey Distilleries in Colorado
When John Denver sang the chords of Rocky Mountain High, he was inspired by the mountains and the gorgeous landscapes across Colorado. Not whiskey. However, when we hum those notes (admittedly off-key), we’re definitely thinking about a drop of the good stuff.
Luckily, the fine state of Colorado hosts many wonderful distilleries, several of which are operated and run by women. We’re proud to feature these distilleries on the Women in Distilling map. If we were ever to map out a road trip from Springfield to Steamboat Springs to taste whiskey made by women, where would we go?
To that end, we’ve found nine woman-led distilleries across Colorado producing whiskey that you’ll run through the foothills to try.
The Heart Distillery
Love inspired Amanda Weakland to build The Heart Distillery with her husband, Pat. Love for her family, love for her community and, of course, love for distillation. She oversees recipe development, distillation and so much more for the distillery but she’s also made her entire family a part of the process, bringing both her children, Zach and Rachel, into the Windsor, Colorado-based business as well.
Located under the same roof as High Hops Brewery, the distillery crafts an award-winning small-batch bourbon and a Colorado Straight Bourbon Whiskey made with Rocky Mountain water.
Order a cocktail from The Heart Distillery tasting room and taste the spirits in person.
6461 CO-Highway 392, Windsor, Colorado 80550
Hogback Distillery
Working as a couple with her co-founder Graeme Wallace, Katherine Branch runs and operates Hogback Distillery, a business that proudly follows the Scottish tradition of whisky. Overseeing everything from tastings and distribution to marketing while also occasionally cleaning the mash tun, Katherine is proud to build a future with Graeme from their location in Boulder, Colorado.
Since Graeme is Scottish, it’s no surprise the distillery produces a peat-smoked whisky alongside six other whiskies and a small-batch collection, known as the Wallace Collection. Each Wallace entry is finished in Aspen wood, giving it a unique flavor profile.
Taste the Hogback whiskies for yourself when you visit the tasting room but make sure you book ahead. The microdistillery can only accommodate small groups with reservations.
5311 Western Avenue, Boulder, Colorado 80301
Talnua Distillery
On her honeymoon in Ireland, Meagan Miller stumbled upon single-pot still whiskey and fell in love. Her husband, Patrick was there too. Together they learned about the tradition behind the spirit and brought their knowledge back to the states. By 2019, they’d launched Talnua Distillery and introduced Arvada, Colorado to Gaelic-style distilling.
The distillery produces five whiskeys through the single-pot still method. From a Virgin White Oak Cask Whiskey to the Peated Cask Whiskey, the team at Tulnua delivers unique spirits to its growing customer base. The team even designed a commemorative bottle meant to benefit Colorado Parks & Wildlife.
Visit the distillery’s cocktail lounge and order one of the specialty Old Fashioneds or a Ramhattan. Book a tour to taste and learn about the single-pot still whiskeys.
5405 West 56th Avenue, Unit C, Arvada, Colorado 80002
Ironton Distillery
Starting a business runs in Kallyn Romero’s blood so it makes sense that she co-founded Ironton Distillery in her home state. She passionately works to instill a sense of craftsmanship and artwork into everything she does around the distillery. Her love for the outdoors and experience in Denver’s food and beverage scene are also evident through the spirits Ironton produces.
Kallyn works alongside head distiller Laura Walters who crafts three whiskeys and a number of other spirits using a customized hybrid pot column still. Distilled at a mile above sea level, the spirits are bottled at 86 proof. Whiskey fans choose from an American Single Malt Whiskey, a Colorado Straight Rye Malt Whiskey and Colorado Straight Boubon Whiskey.
Discover Ironton’s tasting room, eatery and art gallery, located in Denver’s River North Art District.
3636 Chestnut Place, Denver, Colorado 80216
The Block Distilling
Founded by Michelle Weaver, her husband Kraig and his brother Kameron, The Block Distilling came about thanks to the trio’s passion for well-made whiskey. Together, the three built a business with strong values around sustainability and community in Denver and beyond as well as a dedication to crafting spirits from farm-grown grains.
Distilled from a unique mash bill that features the full range of flavors from corn, The Night Sweats Straight Bourbon ages for two years. As a bonus, $10 from every bottle sold go toward the Marigold Project, a non-profit aimed at addressing issues of economic, racial and social justice.
Get a bottle for yourself when you go to the distillery’s tasting room, order a cocktail and some food from the Waffle Truck.
2990 Larimer Street, Denver, Colorado 80205
Deerhammer Distillery
The Arkansas River’s whitewater rapids lured Amy Eckstein and her husband Lenny to Buena Vista, Colorado. A love for adventure also inspired them to launch Deerhammer Distillery and craft whiskey for their community. Lenny built the first still they used himself and together, they got to work creating a wide range of whiskeys and a few other spirits.
Today the distillers produce one 53-barrel batch of whiskey each day. That whiskey ages in a rack house located 8,000 feet above sea level for at least four years. All types of whiskey move through the still but its the Deerhammer Single Malt Whiskey that really illustrates the talents of the team.
Deerhammer’s tasting room, freshly reopened after a winter closure through January, offers whiskey tastings alongside a whiskey-inspired menu.
321 East Main Street, Buena Vista, Colorado 81211
Marble Distilling Co.
Driven by a pure passion for vodka, Connie Baker went to school with the goal of learning how to make the spirit herself. Five years later, she launched Marble Distilling Co. with her husband in Carbondale, Colorado complete with a hotel — the first hotel located within a working distillery. Eventually, Connie started crafting whiskey too.
With the goal of cutting down on waste and operating more sustainably, the distillery operates on a Water-Energy Thermal System that recaptures water used in the distilling process. It allows Connie to craft her beloved vodka and a few whiskeys too. Today, the distillery produces whiskey, rye whiskey, bourbon whiskey and a limited-release Fightin’ Whiskey aged for at least two years in fifty-three-gallon American oak casks.
Drop by the tasting room and find not only well-crafted spirits but also an impressive marble bar. It’s made from Yule Quarry Marble, the same stone used in historic places, like the tomb of the unknown soldier.
150 Main Street, Carbondale, Colorado 81623
