The idea for Branch & Barrel Distilling sparked back in 2012 when three longtime friends—Ryan Morgan, Scott Freund, and Tom Sielaff—decided to dive headfirst into the world of whiskey making. With no prior experience but plenty of enthusiasm, they ordered every whiskey-making book they could find on Amazon and devoured them cover to cover.
Lacking barrels to age their spirits, they improvised like true pioneers—aging whiskey in Mason jars, flavoring it with tree branches gathered from Tom’s backyard. Sure, most of those early batches missed the mark, but one gem stood out: whiskey aged with plum tree branches, boasting a unique purple hue and a surprisingly delicious flavor. Encouraged by friends who couldn’t get enough of that plum-infused magic, the trio put together a business plan and, in 2015, officially launched Branch & Barrel Distilling—named to honor those humble beginnings in home distilling and backyard aging.
Today, Branch & Barrel is our reality: a small-batch Colorado distillery with a big heart, a bit of grit, and a deep love for crafting damn good whiskey. We’re located just outside Denver, where the mountains meet the magic, and every bottle we make is handcrafted with care, curiosity, and a touch of mischief.
Our Whiskey Lineup (a.k.a. The Good Stuff)
At Branch & Barrel, we believe whiskey should be thoughtful, approachable, and a little bit adventurous. Here’s what we’re pouring:
- Colorado Bourbon – This is our flagship, the one we built everything around. Smooth, rich, and balanced, it’s the kind of bourbon that feels just as right in a neat pour as it does at the center of a celebration. If this was a movie, it’d win Best Picture and the People’s Choice Award.
- Wheated Bourbon – Take everything you know and love about our Flagship – the smoothness, the fullness, the rich creme brulee flavors – and kick things up a notch with notes of soft red berries, honey, white pepper, milk chocolate, and cashews. It’s a limited 4-year release, and honestly, if you like it, stock up. Otherwise, we might just drink it all ourselves.
- Honey Bourbon – Infused with pure, local Colorado honey, this one’s like a warm hug with a mischievous wink. It’s sunshine in a bottle—with a nice little bourbon backbone to keep things interesting.
- Single Barrel Reserve – Bold, one-of-a-kind, and strictly limited. Every barrel is its own personality, and we bottle them just as they are—no blending, no fuss. Like:
- Lucky #7: Our first ever 7-Year Bourbon release, hand-selected with our friends at ParHopper and The Local Drive. Packed with decadent notes of dark chocolate, cherry cordial, orange candy, leather, and cola. It’s vintage Vegas meets Colorado craft.
- Seasonals & Experiments – Now we’re getting into the fun stuff.
A Playground for Flavor: Our Experimental Line
Many moons ago, Branch & Barrel began its journey as a humble at-home hobby project. Our first whiskey experiments were aged in mason jars on charred woods foraged straight from our own backyards. One of our earliest triumphs? Plumwood Whiskey, aged on flame-kissed Colorado plum branches. Today, we still make it – just with a bit more polish. Rich and eclectic, it has notes of dried tree fruit, damp forest floor, smoky tobacco, and antique spice cabinets. Sip it in a Gold Rush or your favorite Punch and taste a little piece of our origin story.
We didn’t stop there, here are some of our standouts:
- 3-Way Bourbon – Aged in a barrel that held cinnamon whiskey, vanilla extract, and maple syrup. The flavor? A choose-your-own-adventure of sweetness and spice. Every barrel is a little different, and that’s what keeps it fun.
- Pepper-Kissed Bourbon – A spicy, savory stunner aged in barrels once filled with emulsified peppers from hot sauce makers. It’s got a cayenne kick that plays beautifully in cocktails like Bloody Marys and spicy Old Fashioneds.
- Le Meilleur Cognac Finished Bourbon – “The Best” isn’t just a name; it’s a promise. This is a cask strength, single barrel release aged 4 years in virgin oak, then 6 months in fresh Cognac casks. Think rum cake, orange oil, molasses, and thyme. Sophisticated, powerful, and absurdly delicious.
- Peach Ryeceratops – A wild triple collaboration between Old Elk, Launch Pad Brewing, and us. Started as a 9-year rye, aged peach beer, and ended as a rye whiskey that tastes like peach rings, lemon zest, white chocolate, mint, and graham crackers. It’s as big and bold as the dinosaur it’s named after.
- Tawny Port Finished Bourbon – Our oldest release yet at 5.6 years, finished in decadent tawny port barrels. It sips like dessert: strawberry shortcake, cherry tart, brown sugar, almond, and spearmint. Basically, it’s your sweet tooth’s new best friend.
- Double Barrel Toasted Acacia Wood Bourbon – Aged first in traditional virgin oak, then transferred to toasted acacia wood for an extra creamy, nutty, honey-sandalwood experience. Bottled at cask strength to preserve every luxurious drop.
Every release is small, deliberate, and adventurous. Because when you love whiskey as much as we do, you don’t just stick to the script.
All Colorado, All Heart
From the grain to the glass, everything we make is 100% Colorado. We source our corn locally, reuse and repurpose equipment wherever possible, and keep sustainability at the core of everything we do. Our team is small, scrappy, and committed to making whiskey the right way: with passion, patience, and purpose.
Come Visit Us
Our tasting room is just outside Denver and packed with charm (and whiskey). Stop by, sip a flight, take a tour, and soak up the atmosphere. Whether you’re a seasoned bourbon buff or a curious first-timer, we’ll make you feel right at home.
To Our Whiskey Family: Thank You
To everyone who’s believed in us, bought a bottle, told a friend, or brought a date to the tasting room—thank you. The whiskey community is truly something special, and we’re grateful every single day to be part of it.
You’re why we get to keep dreaming, experimenting, and pouring something new. You’re why Branch & Barrel exists. And we can’t wait to show you what’s next.
Until then: stay curious, drink well, and never pass up a good pour.
Cheers,
Your friends at Branch & Barrel