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Last Updated on December 28, 2022 by Lydia Martin
Colorado is famous for its gorgeous landscapes, high plains, plateaus, water bodies, and craft beers.
But most people don’t realize that the state’s climate and elevation create perfect conditions for aging bourbon.
Colorado’s distilleries are already on the move and have created some of the finest (and rare) spirits today.
So, if you want to find the best Colorado bourbon, read on.
Top 10 Colorado Bourbons You Need To Try
10. Breckenridge Bourbon Whiskey
Average Price: around $45.14 per 750 ml
Alcohol Content: 43% ABV
Why We Like It: The Breckenridge bourbon whiskey is an award-winning, high-rye bourbon whiskey.
This whiskey is aged for a minimum of three (3) years in charred, new American oak barrels, carefully blended to reveal its unique qualities.
We like its pronounced butterscotch aromas, dry cacao, candied orange and apple, and brown sugar flavors with lingering notes of white pepper and vanilla.
9. Peach Street Colorado Straight Bourbon
Average Price: $58 per 750 ml
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Why We Like It: Peach Street Colorado straight bourbon is Colorado’s first legal bourbon.
This Colorado straight bourbon from Peach Street is made with 100% locally sourced ingredients, including rye, two-row malted barley, and their legendary sweet corn of Olathe.
The spirit comes in an elegant bottle, so you won’t be disappointed as it offers a well-balanced taste on your palate with strong notes of vanilla.
8. Leopold Bros. Bottled in Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Average Price: $60 per 750 ml
Alcohol Content: 50% ABV
Why We Like It: If you think all bourbons are the same, well, Leopold Bros. bottled-in-bond is not your usual straight bourbon whiskey.
Aside from the unusual mashbill that includes 21% malted barley, the fermentation process uses open wooden tanks.
It also uses both cultured and wild yeast strains, not to mention the dunnage-style warehouse.
The result is an interesting burst of complex flavors, unlike most bourbons. The spirit proves that being different can be good too.
7. 291 Small Batch Colorado Bourbon Whiskey
Average Price: $74.99 per 750 ml MSRP
Alcohol Content: 50% ABV
Why We Like It: Rugged, refined, and rebellious – that’s how they quote this small batch from 291.
Inspired by the culture of the wild west, 291 wants to make a “handmade, the Colorado way” whiskey.
This whiskey offers profound vanilla and brown sugar on the nose, citrusy and hoppy notes on the palate, and a warm and subtly sweet finish.
6. Woody Creek Colorado Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Average Price: $45 per 750 ml MSRP
Alcohol Content: 45% ABV
Why We Like It: Distilled in custom CARL stills, Woody Creek created a distinctive and exceptional straight bourbon whiskey.
It is made with 100% Colorado-grown grains and aged for a minimum of four years in new, deep charred oak barrels.
Woody Creek Colorado straight bourbon has a classic great oak note on the nose, the right amount of spiciness on the palate accompanied by hints of caramel, honey, and cinnamon.
5. Laws Four Grain Straight Bourbon Bonded Whiskey
Average Price: $63 per 750 ml
Alcohol Content: 50% ABV
Why We Like It: Home of the first bonded bourbon in Colorado, Laws Four Grain bonded series has an 8-year-old expression already available.
Laws Four grains have a mash bill of 60% corn, 20% wheat, 10% rye, and 10% malted barley.
Laws Four Grains bonded series is a great sipper and will continue to be even better as they continue to push their whiskey into a higher edge of maturation.
4. Breckinridge Rum Cask Finish Bourbon Whiskey
Average Price: $59 per 750 ml
Alcohol Content: 45% ABV
Why We Like It: Breckinridge’s rum cask finish bourbon whiskey is a unique and delicious spirit, perfect for sipping neat or in cocktails.
The rum cask finish imparts a beautiful sweetness and complexity to the bourbon, making it an incredibly enjoyable drink.
“There is no bad whiskey. There are only some whiskeys that aren’t as good as others.”
– Raymond Chandler, Novelist, and Screenwriter
This bourbon has a high rye mash bill but is surprisingly smooth and sweet, with only minimal spice from the rye.
It has tropical vibes, perfect for tropical-themed cocktails.
3. Laws Four Grain Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Average Price: $89.99 per 750 ml MSRP
Alcohol Content: 56% ABV (varies depending on batch)
Why We Like It: This Four Grain straight bourbon whiskey is bottled at Cask Strength, providing a noteworthy character and more profound and concentrated flavors.
It comes forward at high proof, aged in a minimum of 3 years in new oak barrels.
It has a mash bill of 20% heirloom wheat, 60% corn, 10% heirloom malted barley, and 10% heirloom rye.
2. Mystic Mountain Outlaw Legend Bourbon Whiskey
Average Price: $45 per 750 ml
Alcohol Content: 48% ABV
Why We Like It: Aged at least three years and bottled at 96 proof, Mystic Mountain Outlaw Legend bourbon is an extremely smooth and satisfying spirit.
This bourbon whiskey features a perfected family recipe that dates back to the late 1800s. It has consistent notes of caramel, chocolate, and allspice with a nice long finish.
Inspired by the legendary outlaws of the old west, Mystic Mountain is a must-have for every whiskey lover.
1. Old Elk Blended Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Average Price: around $45.63 – $77.43 per 750 ml MSRP
Alcohol Content: 44% ABV
Why We Like It: Old Elk Blended straight bourbon whiskey is a high malted barley whiskey.
It uses four times more malted barley [1] than most traditional bourbon recipes.
Its non-traditional high-malted recipe provides sweet, light components combined with clove spiciness from its rye content.
This bourbon whiskey has a smooth and lasting flavor of almond, maple syrup, chocolate, deep wood, raw bran, and coconut.
*Average prices are based on Drizly online unless otherwise tagged as MSRP. Prices may vary in local liquor shops.
FAQs
Can bourbon be made in Colorado?
Is Colorado known for whiskey?
Colorado is known to have more craft breweries than whiskey distilleries.
But in the last few years, the number of aspiring craft distilleries has been surging, and a few brands are already making names in the industry.
Key Takeaways
Colorado is one of the best places to produce alcoholic beverages because of its high altitude, dry climate, rich farmlands, and abundant spring water.
A true Colorado whiskey is rich, complex, and flavorful.
Due to the high angel’s share that makes their spirits potent, intense, and more concentrated – Colorado bourbons are mostly high-proof but are well-balanced.
Colorado offers a variety of wonderful spirits, and it can be hard to choose just one.
However, if you’re looking for the best bourbon in Colorado, be sure to try one in the list above. Cheers!
References:
- https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-is-malted-barley-beer-brewing-353281
- https://www.cnbc.com/2015/06/04/5-rules-that-make-it-bourbon.html
Lydia Martin hails from Redmond, Washington, where you’ll find some of the best cocktail bars and distilleries that offer a great mix of local drinks. She used to work as a bar manager in Paris and is a self-taught mixologist whose passion for crafting unique cocktails led her to create Liquor Laboratory. Lydia can whip up a mean Margarita in seconds! Contact at [email protected] or learn more about us here.
