Known for its mountainous landscape, old western towns, and world-renowned ski resorts, Colorado is one of the most beautiful states in all of the US. It is always high on the list of places to visit both for fellow Americans, and for tourists from all over the world. However, there’s another reason why so many people like to visit Colorado, particularly in recent years, and that’s because of its increasing number of incredible distilleries!

Whilst Colorado has been known for some great craft breweries, it’s the distilleries that are really beginning to grab people’s attention, and with more and more great distilleries pushing the boundaries and creating incredible new flavors, and providing immense experiences for visitors, it means that Colorado truly is one of the best places to visit if you want to explore some of the best distilleries in the US.

So, if you’re planning to visit some incredible distilleries in Colorado, or you’re planning on visiting Colorado and want to get a feel for what a distillery is like, we’ve compiled a list of 15 of the most unmissable distilleries that you should check out whilst you’re there!

Unmissable Distilleries In Colorado

10th Mountain Whiskey & Spirits Company

10th Mountain Whiskey & Spirits Company is a craft distillery based in Vail, Colorado.

The company was founded in 2010 by a group who were inspired by the legacy of the 10th Mountain Division, a unit of the United States Army that trained in the mountains of Colorado during World War II.

10th Mountain Whiskey & Spirits Company is known for its commitment to helping veteran-focused charities too, which is why so many people choose to support them.

The distillery offers tours and tastings to the public, and its tasting room is a popular attraction for locals and tourists alike.

291 Colorado Whiskey

291 Colorado Whiskey is a craft distillery located in the small town of Poncha Springs, Colorado. The was founded by Michael Myers, a former fashion and beauty photographer from New York City (see also ‘5 Best New York Distilleries We Highly Recommend‘).

291 Colorado Whiskey is known for producing small-batch, handcrafted spirits using traditional methods and locally sourced ingredients.

The distillery is open to the public for tours and tastings, and since 291 Colorado Whiskey has won numerous awards for its products too, it’s certainly one worth visiting if you’re in the area.

Boulder Spirits By Vapor Distillery

Having moved to Colorado with the aim being to make great whiskey, Alastair Brogan is the owner of Boulder Spirits, which was formerly known as Vapor Distillery, the labels on the bottles have since changed to unite the products under one name.

What hasn’t changed, however, is the incredible taste.

Although they initially started out with gin, great bourbons and whiskeys have soon followed since Alastair Brogan appeared, and are also well known for their Ginsky, as well as their 100% non-GMO vodka too, so it’s safe to say that they certainly know what they’re doing!

Breckenridge Distillery

Founded by physician Bryan Nolt, Breckenridge Distillery came out with its first vodka and bourbon in 2011.

However, they didn’t stop there, as they’re also known for their gin, spiced rum, aquavit, a bitter, as well as a number of flavored vodkas too.

What’s interesting about Breckenridge Distillery is that because it sits at 9,600 feet high, it’s actually considered to be one of the highest distilleries in the entire world.

So, if you plan on visiting this incredible distillery, which has a bar and restaurant attached to it, then you better not be afraid of heights!

Laws Whiskey House

Founded in 2011, but selling Whiskey as of 2014, Laws Whiskey certainly doesn’t skimp out when it comes to making high-quality whiskey, and they work with many of the smaller farms found in Colorado in order to grow the heirloom grains that get used in the production process.

They also have a tasting room if you’re inclined to sample some of their incredible products, and there are even some spirits held there that can’t be found anywhere else, so if that’s not enough motivation to visit, we’re not sure what is!

Leopold Bros

Starting as a microbrewery in Michigan, the Leopold brothers’ operation expanded so much that in 2008 they decided to move back home to Colorado to focus on the distillery side of their business (for more Michigan Distilleries, see here).

Leopold Bros is one of the few distilleries which is committed to producing zero waste, and is actually the home to the only malting floor in the entirety of Colorado, which certainly makes it one of the more unique distilleries in Colorado!

Marble Distillery

Another sustainable distillery based out of Colorado is the incredible Marble Distillery, who has committed to ensuring that its facilities are running on a net-zero basis by the end of 2022.

This distillery utilizes a Water Energy Thermal System, which is used to capture and reuse water and heat that often gets wasted during the process of distillation, and they only use grains grown by local farmers, which are non-GMO and pesticide-free too.

They’ve won over 40 awards for their products, and the distillery includes a tasting room as well as a 5 star hotel too, so you can really immerse yourself in the distillery’s operations!

Mile High Spirits

Producers of whiskey and bourbon, along with gin, rum, and vodka, Mile High Spirits proves to be one of the best distilleries in Colorado with their incredible range of products that certainly don’t compromise on quality.

If you’re looking for a great distillery to visit, then you’ll love the incredible atmosphere found in their tasting room, which often includes live music and DJs each weekend.

Montanya Rum

Started by rum lover Karen Hoskin, this incredible distillery can be found in the mountain town of Crested Butte, some 8,885 feet high, and takes inspiration from the various mountain rums produced in countries such as Columbia and Guatemala.

The distillery features a tasting room, allowing you to sample the incredible rums, as well as a range of cocktails, and there’s even a restaurant too, which serves seasonal cuisine.

Mythology Distillery

Founded after his adventures through Alaska, Scott Yeates’ distillery is focused on producing amazing gins, vodkas, and of course, whiskey, all of which help to remind Scott of the times he spent on his travels.

The tasting rooms here also have a wide variety of food options too, all of which are designed to complement the drinks, and you can even tour the distillery too for a price!

Peach Street Distillers

Making use of the raw fruits and grains grown both in and around Palisade, Peach Street Distillers are intent on pioneering and inventing delicious spirits, many of which have gone on to win awards.

These include those such as their peach and pear brandies, numerous gins, whiskeys, bourbons, and their amazing grappa too.

The building of the distillery still has that old-fashioned feel, and combined with the incredible drinks menu, you can be sure to have a good time here!

Rising Sun Distillery

Focused on local products, Rising Sun distillery is an excellent place to visit if you’re looking to sample some of their incredible products, whether that’s their rye whiskey, gin, vodka, or whiskey.

You can even take a tour of the distillery, which includes a sampling of 10 spirits of your choice at the end!

Spirit Hound Distillers

Spelling whisky without the e as an ode to Scottish whisky, Spirit Hound Distillers was started by a group of friends looking to create an all-malt whisky from scratch right in the heart of Colorado, and since its release in 2015, they haven’t looked back.

With vodka, gin, honey whiskey, and more all being produced by this incredible distillery, a visit to their tasting room and distillery should definitely be in order if you’re a fan of their incredible products.

Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey

When you think of whiskey from Colorado, then you’ll definitely think of Stanahan’s, this was the state’s first distillery since the prohibition era, and since then they have gone from strength to strength, becoming a powerhouse of the Colorado whiskey scene.

If you’re looking for a place to experience the incredible taste of Stranahan’s, then the distillery’s own cocktail lounge, found in Denver, is definitely the place to do so (see also ‘10 Unmissable Denver Distilleries You Should Check Out‘)!

Woody Creek Distillers

Using seasonal ingredients where possible, Woody Creek Distillers are focused on being leaders in the farm-to-bottle movement that so many distilleries are trying to follow, and since they first set out to make great vodka all the way back in 2012, they’ve been reaping the rewards of their success ever since.

A visit to their tasting room is a must if you want to sample their brandies, rums, and single-barrel whiskey too!

Conclusion

We hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to some of the unmissable distilleries you need to visit during your time in Colorado. So if you’re a fan of spirits and fancy a boozy adventure, add some of these to your to-do list!