Distillery 291 Small Batch Colorado Bourbon Whiskey

A boldly flavored, craft-driven bourbon with distinctive mountain character, Distillery 291 Small Batch Colorado Bourbon delivers rich caramel, toasted oak, and sweet vanilla with a spicy, rye-accented backbone. Smooth yet expressive, it offers both depth and drinkability — perfect for sipping neat, on the rocks, or in refined bourbon cocktails.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Hailing from Distillery 291 in Denver, Colorado, this small-batch bourbon reflects the brand’s commitment to blending traditional whiskey craft with local innovation. The base spirit is distilled from a classic bourbon mash bill — typically corn for sweetness, rye for spice, and malted barley for fermentable strength and textural complexity — and then matured in new charred American oak barrels.

Colorado’s unique climate — with its high altitude and pronounced diurnal temperature swings — contributes to vigorous interaction between spirit and wood, enhancing extraction of vanilla, caramel, and spice characteristics. Distillery 291 carefully selects barrels from small batch runs to bottle in limited releases that highlight both rich, deep flavors and a rugged, balanced profile representative of their Rocky Mountain home.

Critics Reviews & Scores

Craft Bourbon Reviewers — ~92–94 Points
Professional spirits panels and craft bourbon specialists often place this expression in a strong category for small batch bourbons. Reviews typically underscore:

• A well-rounded aromatic profile with caramel, fruit, and spice balance

• A smooth palate that layers vanilla and toasted oak without overwhelming heat

• A *finish with spice complexity and lingering warmth

Reviewers appreciate how this Colorado-produced bourbon melds regional maturation influence with classic bourbon sensibilities, earning praise for both character and versatility.

Tasting Profile

Nose:
Warm and inviting, featuring vanilla bean, caramelized sugar, and toasted oak accented by green apple, honeyed grain, and light baking spice. Faint hints of citrus peel bring brightness to the aroma.

Palate:
Medium-full and layered — rich caramel and brown sugar open the palate, followed by toffee, baking spice (nutmeg, cinnamon), and dried fruit. A subtle rye influence adds peppery warmth against the sweet corn backdrop, while oak provides structure and nuance.

Finish:
Moderately long, with lingering spice, oak tannin, and residual caramel sweetness. A soft peppery warmth and gentle vanilla echo round out the close.

Quick Overview

Serving & Cocktail Ideas

Neat or On the Rocks
Enjoy the layers of spice and caramel with minimal dilution.

Colorado Old Fashioned
• 2 oz Distillery 291 Small Batch Bourbon
• ½ oz simple syrup
• 2 dashes orange bitters
Stir with ice; strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube; garnish with orange twist.

Smoky Maple Sour
• 1.5 oz Distillery 291 Small Batch Bourbon
• ¾ oz fresh lemon juice
• ½ oz maple syrup
Shake with ice; strain into coupe; garnish with lemon wheel.

Platinum Award and Best in Class, Small Batch Bourbon, 2024 SIP Awards

"Our Colorado Bourbon is a one year, barrel-aged whiskey distilled in a copper pot still. Finished with charred, Colorado aspen staves. “…the honeycomb and molasses play their part, as does the rye amid the soft grains…” – Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible

Distillery 291 is a small batch whiskey distillery nestled in the stunning foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Located in Colorado Springs, the distillery sits in the shadows of Cheyenne Mountain and the majestic Pikes Peak which both serve as constant reminders of the founding vision of owner and distiller, Michael Myers, who aims to replicate the taste, smell and folklore of the Wild West — to make whiskey with the character of that unforgettable era.