IF YOU ARE SKIING AT MONARCH
OR CRESTED BUTTE:
On your way down, stop by Deerhammer (www.
deerhammer.com) in Buena Vista. It is a “grain to glass”
distillery, handling every step of the process by hand and
constantly experimenting to produce a better product.
Another great stop, especially if you own an electric
vehicle that needs recharging (available while you taste),
is Wood’s High Mountain (www.woodsdistillery.com) in
Salida. Finally, if your trip takes you all the way to Crested
Butte, find a great meal with a hand-made rum or cocktail
at Montanya Distillers (www.montanyarum.com).
IF YOU ARE SKIING AT TELLURIDE:
How about a visit to the Telluride Distilling
Company? Their hand-crafted peppermint schnapps
is billed on their website as “America’s first” and their
signature drink is appropriately called the Chairlift
Warmer. They also serve vodka and other spirits in
their tasting room (www.telluridedistilling.com).
IF YOU ARE SKIING AT PURGATORY:
Drop by the Durango Craft Spirits distillery for a taste of
award-winning Soiled Doves Vodka, Mayday Moonshine,
and brand-new Cinder Dick Bourbon – all named for
a piece of Durango’s history (durangospirits.com).
Of course, if you want to skip the skiing altogether and just
settle in for a great-tasting product, there are loads of other
distilleries to visit throughout Colorado. But let us offer
one last word of advice: line up your designated driver now
and don’t even think about driving home after indulging.
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