Local Colorado Spirits: Discover the Best Colorado Distilleries at Cheers Liquor Mart

Colorado distilleries at Cheers Liquor Mart can transform your gift-giving experience from ordinary to extraordinary, connecting you with authentic local flavors that mass-produced spirits can't match. Many people know that finding authentic local spirits with genuine craftsmanship can feel daunting. When you finally do discover a local gem, tracking it down often involves driving across town to multiple specialty shops, wasting your precious weekend hours.

Cheers Liquor Mart solves this dilemma with our carefully curated selection of over 3,500 spirits, including an impressive array of Colorado-crafted options. Our convenient same-day delivery and curbside pickup options make accessing these local treasures effortless for Colorado Springs residents seeking quality and authenticity.

Why Colorado Distilleries at Cheers Produce Exceptional Spirits

Colorado's pristine Rocky Mountain water provides the perfect foundation for exceptional spirits. Pure water, combined with our state's independent spirit and entrepreneurial culture, has made the Front Range a hotbed for craft distillery innovation.

The elevation plays a significant role, too. At over a mile above sea level, spirits age differently here than at lower elevations. The temperature fluctuations between our warm days and cool nights force the aging liquid to move in and out of the barrel wood more frequently, creating complexity in a shorter time frame than traditional aging.

Axe and the Oak: Whiskey with Mountain Character

When you're looking for great Colorado distilleries at Cheers, Axe and the Oak delivers with remarkable consistency. Founded by Colorado Springs locals, this distillery has quickly established itself as one of the region's premier whiskey makers.

What sets them apart:

• Rocky Mountain Water Source: Their spirits begin with the pristine water that flows from Pikes Peak snowmelt
• Local Colorado Grains: Supporting local agriculture while ensuring quality ingredients
• Small Batch Production: Every batch receives meticulous attention to detail
• Award-Winning Recipes: Their Colorado Mountain Bourbon has earned multiple medals at international competitions

Their flagship Colorado Mountain Bourbon Whiskey offers a smooth, approachable profile with notes of caramel, vanilla, and a hint of mountain herbs that's perfect for sipping neat or on the rocks. If you prefer something with a bit more spice, their Incline Rye Whiskey delivers with a bold, peppery character balanced by subtle sweetness. You might also spot their limited-release First Stake Cask Strength Bourbon on Cheers' shelves. Grab it if you see it! At barrel proof, this unfiltered expression showcases the full flavor potential of their distillation process.

Related: From Grain to Glass: Exploring Colorado Craft Bourbons at Cheers Liquor Mart

Distillery 291: From Photographer to Award-Winning Distiller

The story behind Distillery 291 reads like a Colorado dream. Founder Michael Myers, a former New York photographer, moved to Colorado Springs after 9/11, seeking a change and a connection to the American West. With no prior distilling experience, he built his first still from copper photogravure plates used in his photography career. His vision has now evolved into one of the most most decorated Colorado distilleries at cheers, with their whiskeys winning gold medals at the World Whisk(e)y Awards and San Francisco World Spirits Competition year after year.

What makes 291 special:

• Aspen Wood Finishing: Each batch is finished with toasted aspen staves, imparting a distinctly Colorado character
• El Paso County Grain: Locally sourced grains contribute to the regional terroir
• Distinctive "West Meets West" Philosophy: Combining traditional western whiskey techniques with innovative western mountain approaches

Their Colorado Whiskey offers delightful notes of maple, vanilla, and cinnamon with a pleasant peppery finish that warms you like a campfire under the stars. For something truly unique, look for their Fresh Colorado Whiskey. It's an unaged spirit that showcases the pure flavors of their distillation process before barrel aging begins.

The Family Jones: Whiskey with Farm-to-Flask Philosophy

When searching for Colorado distilleries at cheers that truly embody agricultural heritage, The Family Jones stands apart with their genuine farm-to-flask approach. Based in Denver with deep connections to Colorado's farming communities, this distillery has quickly earned recognition for its commitment to local sourcing and exceptional craft.

What makes Family Jones special:

• 100% Local Grain Sourcing: They exclusively use grains from Colorado family farms practicing regenerative agriculture
• Grain-to-Glass Production: Complete control of their process from raw ingredients to bottling
• Sustainable Partnerships: Strong relationships with four Colorado farming families, including Whiskey Sisters and Root Shoot Malting
• Award-Winning Creations: Their spirits have garnered numerous accolades at prestigious competitions

The Family Jones Ella Jones Colorado Straight Bourbon exemplifies their craftsmanship with a rich, complex profile that showcases the unique character of locally-grown corn, rye, and wheat. The high-altitude aging process imparts distinctive qualities that cannot be replicated at lower elevations. For those who prefer rye whiskey, their Atticus Jones Colorado Straight Rye delivers a bold, spicy character balanced with subtle sweetness from grains grown in Colorado soil.

Colorado's Gin Renaissance: More Than Mountains and Whiskey

While Colorado distilleries at Cheers might be known for their whiskey, gin producers have been quietly revolutionizing the local spirits scene. Until recently, Lee Spirits Company led this charge from its Colorado Springs distillery, producing award-winning gins and liqueurs that rivaled anything from London or the Pacific Northwest. Though Lee Spirits closed its doors in early 2024, Cheers still has other notable Colorado gin producers, including:

• Woody Creek Distillers Colorado Gin: showcases local juniper and other Rocky Mountain botanicals
• CapRock Colorado Gin: uses organic fruit and botanicals from Colorado's western slope
• Leopold Bros.: small-batch approach yields incredibly balanced flavor profiles

These Colorado gins aren't trying to be London dry copycats. They proudly embrace their Rocky Mountain heritage with unique botanical blends that often include local ingredients like spruce tips, chokecherries, and high-altitude-grown herbs.

Beyond the Bottle: Colorado Springs Distilleries

When you bring home a locally crafted spirit from Cheers Liquor Mart, you're getting more than just a beverage. Each bottle contains a piece of local culture and history. They represent the entrepreneurial spirit of our community and the creative passion of local artisans who chose to pursue flavor over mass production.

As a bonus, many of the Colorado distilleries at Cheers have fascinating tasting rooms worth visiting:

• Axe and the Oak's Whiskey House: Located in the historic Ivywild School just south of downtown, this cocktail bar showcases its spirits in creative concoctions
• Distillery 291's Tasting Room: Offering flights and cocktails in the shadow of Pikes Peak, where you can often meet the distillers themselves

After exploring these tasting rooms, you can always head to Cheers to bring home your favorites, where the knowledgeable staff can help you find limited editions that might not be available at the distilleries themselves.

Read Also: Home Bar Essentials: Spirits Every Colorado Springs Cocktail Enthusiast Needs

Embark on a Spirited Adventure with Local Colorado Distilleries at Cheers Liquor Mart

Colorado distilleries at Cheers offer a world of flavor waiting to be explored, from whiskeys to gins. Each bottle tells a story of local entrepreneurship, craftsmanship, and the indomitable spirit of the West. The best way to enjoy those spirits is at Cheer's Liquor Mart in Central Colorado Springs.

With over 8,000 wines, 3,500 spirits, and 1,500 beers, Cheers Liquor Mart offers the most comprehensive selection of local spirits. We make it easy to discover Colorado distilleries at Cheers, with helpful shelf tags highlighting distillery locations and unique production methods.

Next time you're searching for something special, whether for yourself or as a gift, skip the mass-produced options and explore Colorado Springs' vibrant local spirits scene through our carefully curated selection. Stop by Cheers Liquor Mart today to discover why Colorado Springs has become a destination for spirits lovers and take home a taste of our remarkable local distilling tradition. Your palate will thank you. Cheers!