Whiskey clubs and vacations designed around hitting distilleries has become all the rage for our Colorado men. Maybe you’ve even taken a trip and traveled the Kentucky Bourbon Trail or even the Tennessee Whiskey Tail. Did you know that it wasn’t until 2004 that, Stranahan’s Mountain Whiskey became Colorado’s first (legal) distillery since Prohibition. Colorado may have come late to the party, but no one cares if you’re late when you bring good whiskey. However, now's the time to plan one right here in Colorado.
As our craft distillers push their imaginations to new heights, the Colorado Spirits Trail leads you through 14,000-foot peaks, clear mountain streams, historic mining towns, and legendary hiking, biking, fishing, climbing, camping, and skiing areas. Nothing heightens the spirits like a tasting flight of whiskey, a dram of gin, or a carefully crafted cocktail at one of our distilleries, whether taken alone or as part of a larger journey.
What's the secret to getting all these tasty treats? According to the Colorado Distillers Guild, there is a solution. You'll find a treasure map of surprising flavors, great cocktails, and a team of passionate people pouring their souls into barrels and bottles across Colorado on the Colorado Spirits Trail.
Colorado boasts one of the largest and most vibrant distilling communities in the country. To inspire the discovery of spirits pioneered by some of the most creative makers in the industry, over 40 Colorado craft distilleries have joined together to create the Colorado Spirits Trail app.
Once I shared this information about the Colorado Spirits Trail with my husband Bill and his friend Calvin they stated, "We’re up for the challenge! We can easily complete this trail in a summer. With Colorado being 380 miles long and 280 miles wide this challenge seems worth taking to support our local distilleries."
How it Works-
Download the Colorado Spirits Trail app on an iOS or Android device and create a free account to begin participating in the passport program.
Trailblazers will be rewarded for visiting and checking into participating app distilleries. Each time you check in to a distillery, you’ll receive a passport stamp for that location.
· After 10 passport stamps you’ll receive an official Colorado Spirits Trail t-shirt.
· For every 5 distillery visits, you’ll receive a new virtual passport badge and one entry into the grand prize drawing for a Chaffee County Spirits Enthusiast Getaway.
o The grand prize drawing includes:
§ Two-night stay at the Surf Hotel & Chateau in Buena Vista.
§ Private tour for two at Deerhammer Distillery & Woods Distillery.
§ Two exclusive Whiskey Flights at The Slammer.
o The drawing will take place on Friday, February 2, 2024. The last day to receive an entry into the drawing is 11:59 p.m. MST on Wednesday, January 31, 2024.
o Grand prize drawing winner must provide transportation.
o Prize exclusions may apply.
· Passport holders have two years from the date of their first stamp to complete the trail. After two years, their stamps will expire and they will begin a new passport.
MUST BE AT LEAST 21 YEARS OF AGE TO PARTICIPATE. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. PLEASE ENJOY RESPONSIBLY.
The idea behind the Colorado Spirit Trail is they strive to redefine the American frontier and invite novices and connoisseurs alike to experience our innovative spirits across the Eastern Plains and the Western Slope, through the bustling cities of the Front Range, and the snowy peaks of the Rockies.
Use the trail map feature to build a Google Maps itinerary to link as many of the 40+ distilleries as you dare. But double-check your route, as the itinerary planner can send you on some wandering loops. Verify tasting room and tour hours before you go. And, of course, always take a designated driver.
The Why behind the Colorado Distillers Guild
The Colorado Distillers Guild (CDG) is a non-profit association promoting the licensed distilling industry in Colorado. It serves to educate the general public about Colorado distillers and provides valuable information to its members regarding laws, provisions, directives, and orders as may be made by the United States government, the State of Colorado, and the political subdivisions thereof serving the association.
In the end, the Colorado Spirits Trail is all about the people, just as the spirits themselves are all about the people. Colorado’s distillers and owners are teams and individuals. CHEERS!