Twenty years ago, Colorado wasn’t part of the bourbon conversation.
Today, whiskey enthusiasts travel here to explore craft distilleries, discover limited releases, and experience a whiskey culture that’s growing by the year. While Kentucky and Tennessee remain the historic homes of American whiskey, Colorado has earned a reputation for doing something different, and people are taking notice.
So what changed?
It wasn’t one breakthrough or one distillery. It was a movement fueled by passionate makers, local agriculture, and a willingness to challenge convention. Colorado isn’t trying to copy the past. It’s building its own whiskey legacy.
A New Generation of Distillers
Unlike traditional whiskey regions with centuries of established methods, Colorado’s craft distilling scene has grown with an entrepreneurial spirit. Distillers have the freedom to experiment, refine, and create without being bound by “the way it’s always been done.”
At Branch & Barrel Distilling, that mindset has been part of our story from the very beginning.
Our journey started with a simple question:
What can Colorado do for whiskey?
That question sparked years of experimentation before we opened our doors in 2015. We explored how local ingredients, hand-built equipment, and Colorado’s unique environment could create a spirit that truly reflected the place we call home. Today, every drop of our whiskey is still distilled from scratch in our Centennial distillery using 100% locally sourced Colorado grains and pure Rocky Mountain snowmelt from the Arapahoe Aquifer.
Colorado Whiskey Has Its Own Identity
Colorado isn’t becoming the next Kentucky, and it doesn’t need to.
The state’s whiskey scene has developed its own personality, shaped by independent thinking, collaboration, and a deep appreciation for local craftsmanship. Instead of following someone else’s blueprint, Colorado distilleries have embraced the opportunity to create spirits that reflect their own stories and communities.
That sense of identity is what draws so many whiskey lovers to the state. Every distillery offers something different, and every bottle has its own story to tell.
Local Matters More Than Ever
Today’s whiskey drinkers want more than a familiar label. They want authenticity.
They want to know where the grains were grown, who distilled the spirit, and what makes one bottle different from another.
That’s where Colorado shines.
Across the state, distilleries are partnering with local farmers, supporting regional agriculture, and crafting spirits that reflect Colorado from the ground up. At Branch & Barrel, our long-standing relationships with local grain producers are more than a sourcing decision. They’re part of our commitment to creating whiskey that’s rooted in Colorado from grain to glass.
More Than a Bottle
The rise of Colorado whiskey isn’t just about what’s inside the bottle. It’s about the experience that surrounds it.
Craft distilleries have become gathering places where visitors can tour production spaces, enjoy handcrafted cocktails, meet the people behind the spirits, and learn what goes into every pour. A visit isn’t simply a tasting. It’s an opportunity to connect with the craftsmanship, passion, and community that define Colorado’s distilling culture.
Whether you’re stopping by after a day in the mountains or planning a weekend whiskey adventure, Colorado’s distilleries offer experiences that are every bit as memorable as the spirits themselves.
Recognition That Speaks for Itself
Colorado whiskey has quietly become one of the country’s best-kept secrets, but that secret isn’t staying hidden for long.
Craft distilleries throughout the state continue to earn recognition at prestigious spirits competitions, demonstrating that exceptional whiskey can come from well beyond America’s traditional whiskey regions.
At Branch & Barrel Distilling, we’re proud to be part of that momentum. Since 2019, our spirits portfolio has earned more than 35 awards, a testament to the craftsmanship, locally sourced Colorado grains, and Rocky Mountain terroir that shape every bottle we produce. While awards are never the goal, they reinforce what we’ve believed from the beginning: Colorado has everything needed to create world-class whiskey.
When you bring home a bottle of Branch & Barrel, you’re not just enjoying an award-winning spirit. You’re experiencing the authentic flavor of Colorado, crafted from scratch in our Centennial distillery and inspired by the land we proudly call home.
The Future of American Whiskey Runs Through Colorado
Colorado’s whiskey story is still being written, and that’s what makes it so exciting.
With a growing community of innovative distillers, strong relationships with local farmers, and an unwavering commitment to quality, the state continues to push American whiskey in new directions while staying true to its own roots.
At Branch & Barrel Distilling, we’re honored to be part of that journey. Every bottle we produce reflects our belief that Colorado has something extraordinary to offer the world of whiskey.
The question that inspired us more than a decade ago still guides us today:
What can Colorado do for whiskey?
We think the answer is becoming clearer with every bottle we make and every glass that’s raised.
Colorado isn’t becoming the next Kentucky.
It’s becoming the first Colorado.