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If you thought Stranahan’s Mountain Angel 10 Year was good, the 12-year version takes things to another level. Aged in charred oak barrels at Denver’s high altitude, this whiskey loses over 80% of its volume to evaporation—leaving behind a rich, ultra-concentrated spirit. With flavors of blueberry compote, raspberry cheesecake, ginger lemon tart, and a silky port wine finish, this one’s made for special occasions—or just a really good Tuesday night.

The fourth edition of Deerhammer’s Progeny Series takes a wine-inspired turn with help from Carboy Winery. This American single malt whiskey ages three years in oak barrels, then another two years in a mix of Albariño, Gewürztraminer Brandy, and Bourbon Barrel Cider casks. The taste buds-to-brain-to-flavor palate pipeline will have you thinking blackberry jam, grilled peaches, sourdough, and lavender, with a finish of dried apples, toasted oak, and honeysuckle. This is Colorado craft whiskey at its most experimental—and it works.

Take Breckenridge Bourbon, let it rest in Madeira wine casks, and you get a whiskey that’s big on flavor without being overly sweet. Maraschino cherry, plum, and smoked cherrywood lead the way, followed by hints of leather and dark chocolate—a must-have for fans of complex, layered bourbons.

For their 25th anniversary, Leopold Bros is doing something special. They blended an 8-year-old Three Chamber rye with a 5-year-old Maryland-style rye, then let it marry in a massive French oak foeder—courtesy of their friends at New Belgium Brewing. The result? A viscous, spice-forward whiskey with notes of baking spices, stone fruit, and a deep, layered complexity. If you can find it, grab it—this is a limited release you don’t want to miss.

Laws Whiskey House isn’t just making exceptional whiskey—they’re also raising awareness about Colorado’s vital rivers. This three-year-old bourbon balances sweet tobacco, black tea, and vanilla custard with a dry, rich, and endlessly sippable finish. And every bottle helps support water conservation efforts, so you can drink good and do good at the same time.

You don’t see a wheated whiskey every day, but Old Elk isn’t afraid to push boundaries. With a 95% soft red winter wheat mash bill, this six-year-old whiskey is bright, smooth, and refreshingly different. Notes of honey, peach, dried fig, and vanilla make it an easy drinker with a surprising depth.

A blend of three bourbons, including a 15-year-old Kentucky bourbon, Mythology’s Best Friend Bourbon combines the best of sweet cornbread, cinnamon, honeycomb, and toasted almonds. Pipe tobacco, black currant, and a lasting vanilla warmth on the finish complete the profile. A best friend, indeed.

A cask-strength, single-barrel whiskey that proves Molly Brown Spirits is one to watch. Each bottle is hand-selected and aged to perfection, developing rich oak, caramel, and spice layers. This is a true sipping whiskey—bold, smooth, and built for those who appreciate the art of barrel aging.

A Gold Medal winner, this 100% malted barley whiskey from Ironton Distillery is a love letter to Colorado’s brewing roots. Deeply roasted, slightly smoky, and layered with caramel, roasted pecan, and white chocolate, this one’s for single malt lovers looking for something different.

This high-proof, mission-driven bourbon does more than taste good—it supports military veterans transitioning into first responder careers. At 116 proof, it packs a punch, but the balance of brown sugar, caramel, toffee, and oak makes it surprisingly smooth—a whiskey with heart and a finish that keeps on giving.

It’s not whiskey, but Ballmer Peak’s Outback Aspen Gin deserves a shoutout. They took an Australian-inspired base gin, aged it with charred aspen cuttings from Locke + Co rye barrels, and ended up with something floral, peppery, and ridiculously smooth. Think juniper, eucalyptus, and a touch of whiskey warmth—a Colorado-meets-Australia masterpiece.

Many whiskey lovers erroneously believe that bourbon brands have to make their product in Kentucky. While that is not the case, bourbon must be made in the United States, or U.S. territories like Puerto Rico and Guam.

Unlike bourbon, rye doesn’t have to be made in the United States. While America is known for its tasty craft ryes—and is still considered the world’s leading rye producer by many connoisseurs—many other countries produce their own takes on rye. Canada has historically made terrific rye whiskey and Japan has become particularly popular in recent years for their fresh take on rye whiskies.

First, there’s the Mash Bill. Rye must be made from a majority rye grain base, while bourbon uses sweeter corn. This difference in formulation results in a difference in taste that many whiskey consumers learn to savor. Rye is spicier, more robust, and often features peppery, herbal, or even floral notes. Sweet bourbon is known for its caramel warmth and soft, rich flavor. It’s worth doing a side-by-side tasting so you can appreciate the dramatic difference a grain makes for yourself.  BACK TO TOP

Whiskey has its roots in the earliest days of the American experiment. Rye whiskey was considered early America’s national spirit. It was the drink of choice for George Washington, who even distilled it at his Mount Vernon estate. 

The US Code of Federal Regulations sets the legal requirements for distilling both bourbon and rye. This code establishes requirements for mash composition, the aging process, ABV requirements, and everything else that makes each of these spirits unique. So if you like your whiskey, thank Uncle Sam!

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This long and intricate process creates a bourbon that’s sweet, indulgent, and just a little more interesting than your standard bourbons, with a little of that old fashioned rye attitude.

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Corn-based bourbon is simple, sweet, and sippable, playing well with others and lending a caramel smoothness to your favorite whiskey cocktails. With a predominantly rye-based mash, rye has a more complex, grassy, peppery kick. Sassy yet sippable, it’s an American original that elevates even the simplest whiskey soda to new heights.

Understanding the differences between these two iconic spirits is a must for any serious whiskey lover. But don’t worry—we’d never make you choose a favorite! There’s more than enough whiskey love in our hearts to accommodate both rye and bourbon in all their glory