Step into the majestic mountains of Colorado where the skiing is prime, the towns eclectic, and the distilleries are in full swing! While you might presume that the country’s best spirits are artfully crafted in Kentucky or Tennessee, don’t overlook the incredible spring distillery tour adventures that await in Colorado. So, as you’re dotting your map of places to see, be sure to include every hotspot on the Colorado Spirits Trail.

About the Colorado Spirits Trail

Of all the nation’s distilling communities, Colorado has bragging rights as one of the most vibrant. There are 52 unique stops along the Colorado Spirits Trail, eagerly awaiting your visit, too! 

You can download your “Official Map” to plot your adventures through all the participating distilleries on the tour. And as you experience each enjoyable sip, you can collect stamps to commemorate your visits. With the completion of your tenth distillery tour on this trail, you’re also eligible for a tee shirt for having completed the “1st Round.” Learn more about the Colorado Distillers Guild here as we dive into exploring some of the legendary distillery tours along this iconic trail.

10th Mountain Whiskey & Spirit Company

This distillery specializes in whiskey, vodka, and liqueurs/cordials. Located in Vail, Colorado, this dog-friendly tour is one of the state’s premier experiences. 

http://10thwhiskey.com 

1350 Distilling

Hailing “13 stripes” and “50 stars,” the 1350 Distillery is a Colorado Springs gem. This tour features vodka, whiskey, gin, and rum and is a family-friendly excursion.

http://1350distilling.com/ 

3 Hundred Days of Shine

Taste the moonshine of Colorado at 3 Hundred Days Distilling! This veteran-owned, small-batch distillery recreates ten delicious flavors. Visit this tour with the whole family, including the family dog, or enjoy the full bar experience with friends.

http://www.3hundreddays.com/ 

52 Eighty Distilling

The spirits here have their own distinct flavors, derived partially from the locally grown ingredients and crisp Rocky Mountain Water. Located in Littleton, Colorado, this tour features vodka, whiskey, and gin.

http://52eightydistilling.com/ 

Archetype Distillery

Situated in Denver, this distillery is a must-see, especially if you’re into vodka, gin, and specialty spirits. Archangel Vodka and Archangel Gin originate here, using an exclusive first-press grape juice and on-site fermentation. 

http://www.archetypedistilling.com/ 

Axe and the Oak Distillery

Come to the Axe, and the Oak Whiskey House for award-winning spirits and Mixologist created cocktails! This Colorado Springs distillery is nestled along a series of bike and hiking trails. And it’s THE place to visit for remarkable whiskey blends and liqueurs.

http://www.axeandtheoak.com/ 

Bear Creek Distillery

This Colorado grain-to-glass experience is located in the heart of Denver. Discover your new favorite rum, whiskey, and vodka varieties. This tour is great for groups and is located near three other distilleries for the ultimate one-stop-shop distillery tour experience.

http://www.bearcreekdistillery.com/ 

Big Fat Pastor Spirits

Visit this family-owned microbrewery beneath the towering Rocky Mountains in Loveland, Colorado. Here, you’ll enjoy ultra-smooth vodkas, whiskeys, and gins.

http://bigfatpastorspirits.com/ 

Black Bear Distillery

Situated in the beautiful Green Mountain Falls region, this distillery serves up delectable sips of rum, whiskey, and vodka. Located near Pike’s Peak, it’s a great pitstop for those family or group vacations, too.

http://www.blackbeardistillery.com/ 

Branch & Barrel

All the corn and water used to produce the brilliant whiskey at Branch & Barrel comes from Colorado’s backyard. Located in Centennial, Colorado, this dog-friendly distillery experience showcases some of the most environmentally sound and eco-friendly processes. Taste true Colorado character in the finished product, too.

http://www.branchandbarrelwhiskey.com/ 

Breckenridge Distillery

You can’t expect to hit the Colorado Spirits Trail without also stopping at the highest distillery in the world. Breckenridge Distillery is 9600 feet up and uses melting slope snow as its primary water supply. Sip on bourbon, gin, and classic vodka varieties on this tour, along with bitters, specialty spirits, whiskey, brandy, and rum.

http://breckenridgedistillery.com/ 

Colorado Gold Distillery

Colorado Gold has been mastering whiskey and vodka, one barrel and batch at a time, since 2007. This iconic tour has an outdoor area, is family-friendly, and welcomes Fido, too. 

http://coloradohighvodka.com/ 

CopperMuse® Distillery

If you’re in the Fort Collins area, you have to experience a CopperMuse® Distillery tour. Sample gin, whiskey, rum, and vodka as you explore the artisanal craft of these distilling masters.

http://www.coppermuse.com/ 

Colorado Deerhammer Distilling Company

Venture to Buena Vista, Colorado, and take a tour of Deerhammer Distilling. Their award-winning, single malt whisky is their flagship spirit. But they also serve up Dutch-style Gin, Hickory-Smoked Corn Whiskey, and Buena Vista Brandy, too!

http://deerhammer.com/ 

Denver Distillery

This grain-to-glass Nano Distillery is another must-visit on your quest to conquer the Colorado Spirits Tour. Located in Denver (as the name suggests,) this tour is convenient and loaded with spirit favorites, like vodka, gin, rum, whiskey, liqueurs, and cordials.

http://denverdistillery.com/ 

Deviant Spirits

This stop on the tour is Colorado’s only 100% grain-to-glass rice spirits. Stop in Boulder to sip some of the smoothest whiskey, vodka, gin, and liqueurs. Nearby, too, is the historic downtown Boulder, along with the Flatiron hiking trails.

http://deviantspirits.com/ 

Deviation Distilling

This distillery is pushing boundaries, using custom-built equipment and Colorado-grown grains for its luxurious spirits. Situated in Denver, guests can tour and sample gin and whiskey.

http://www.deviationdistilling.com/ 

Devil’s Head Distillery

This small-batch distillery specializes in premium spirits in the heart of Englewood, Colorado. This family and dog-friendly tour samples gin and vodka, along with specialty spirits seasonally.

http://www.devilsheaddistillery.com/ 

Distillery 291

This whiskey distillery experience is a fan-favorite and is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It’s a small-batch distillery known primarily for liqueurs and whiskey varieties. Tour the 2018 winner of “World’s Best Rye” and “Best American Rye” from the Whisky Magazine’s World Whisky Awards.

http://www.distillery291.com/ 

Durango Craft Spirits

This 30-minute tour in Durango, Colorado, showcases some of the finest distilling in the state. Sip and sample bourbon, vodka, whiskey, and iconic moonshine varieties.

http://www.durangospirits.com/ 

Elevation 5003 Distillery

Head over to Fort Collins for this small-batch distillery tour experience, especially if you’re into vodka, whiskey, and gin. Learn how they mash, lauter, ferment, distill, filter, and bottle their spirits.

http://www.elevation5003.com/ 

Elkins Distilling Co.

Estes Park only has one legal distillery, and Elkins Distilling Co. is it! Enjoy patio views of Longs and Meeker Peaks while you sip on liqueurs, cordials, and fine whiskey.

http://www.elkinsdistilling.com/ 

Feisty Spirits

If you want something truly unique from your Colorado Spirits Trail experience, you have to visit Feisty Spirits. Here, you can sample more than 20 whiskey flavors, many of which are award-winning. There are also rum, brandy, and bottled cocktails to enjoy. Beer fans can enjoy their favorites here, too.

http://feistyspirits.com/ 

Golden Moon Distillery

Want premium, hand-crafted brandies, whiskeys, and herbal liqueurs? Head to Golden, Colorado, for a tour of the Golden Moon Distillery. There are also gin, bitters, and Applejack spirits to taste, as well.

http://www.goldenmoondistillery.com/ 

Honey House Distillery

Satisfy your sweet tooth with a tour of the Honey House Distillery. This small-batch distillery offers Colorado Honey Whiskey, Hex Vodka, Red Cliffs Spiced Rum, and Cinnamon Honey Whiskey. 

http://www.honeyhousedistillery.com/ 

Idlewild Spirits

For the distillery experience that includes brilliant spirits and cuisine pairings, check out Idlewild Spirits in Winter Park, Colorado! This distillery pub offers the best of both worlds, craft spirits, and casual-fine dining. Discover vodka, gin, rum, and whiskey varieties!

http://www.idlewildspirits.com/ 

Mad Rabbit Distillery, Inc.

Head over to Westminster, Colorado, for a tour with the crew at the Mad Rabbit Distillery. Here, craft spirits reign supreme, including their delicious bourbons and locally-sourced ingredients inspiring their vodkas. Also, sample their gins and rums while you enjoy the restaurant and outdoor area.

http://madrabbitdistillery.com/ 

More Distilleries on the Colorado Spirits Trail

In addition to those mentioned above, there are countless other distillery adventures to explore. Here are just a few to add to your bucket list during your trip to Colorado. 

• Downslope Distilling 
• Dry Land Distillers
• Ironton Distillery & Crafthouse
• J&L Distillery
• KJ Wood Distillers
• Laws Whiskey House
• Lee Spirits Co.
• Leopold Bros.
• Longtucky Spirits
• Marble Distilling Co.
• Mile High Spirits
• Mystic Mountain Distillery
• Mythology Distillery
• Old Elk Distillery
• On Point Distillery
• Peach Street Distillers
• Rising Sun Distillery
• Rocker Spirits
• Sand Creek Distilling
• Santa Fe Spirits
• Spirit Hound Distillers
• State 38 Distilling
• Steamboat Whiskey Company
• Stoneyard Distillery
• Storm King Distilling Co.
• Rocky Mountain Stranahan’s
• Precision Spirits Syntax
• Talnua Distillery
• The Block Distilling Co.
• The Family Jones 
• Tower 56 Distilling
• Vapor Distillery
• Whistle Hare Distillery
• Wood’s High Mountain Distillery
• Woody Creek Distillers

FAQS About the Colorado Spirits Trail

Is it legal to distill alcohol in Colorado?

Officially, the State of Colorado doesn’t prohibit ownership of a still. However, it does prohibit distilling spirits and liquors for personal consumption.

Can I distill my own whiskey at home in Colorado?

Here in the US, there is no legal way to distill alcohol for any personal or home use without a license. 

How many whiskey distilleries are in Colorado?

Colorado is home to nearly 100 distilleries that are, in true Western style, pushing the boundaries of what it means to craft local liquor.

When you’re ready for a true mountain adventure with all your best spirits and new distilled flavors, trek the Colorado Spirits Trail! And for finding all the best distillery tour gems wherever you are, let DistilleryNearby be your ultimate online guide.