Peach Street Distillers Straight Bourbon – Colorado's Grain-to-Glass Craftsmanship

Updated → August 2025

Discover Peach Street Distillers Straight Bourbon, a premium Colorado whiskey featuring locally-sourced grains and traditional copper pot distillation, delivering bold caramel notes with mountain-pure character.

The Colorado Bourbon Revolution

Colorado's craft distilling scene has exploded over the past decade, transforming the Centennial State into a powerhouse of American whiskey innovation. Peach Street Distillers Straight Bourbon stands at the forefront of this movement, representing everything that makes Colorado spirits exceptional: high-altitude aging, pristine Rocky Mountain water, and an unwavering commitment to quality.

The state's unique terroir – characterized by dramatic temperature swings, low humidity, and intense UV exposure – creates aging conditions unlike anywhere else in America. These environmental factors accelerate the interaction between spirit and oak, allowing Colorado bourbons to develop complex flavors in less time than their Kentucky counterparts. This phenomenon, known as the "angels' share acceleration," means that Peach Street Distillers Straight Bourbon achieves remarkable depth despite its relative youth.

Peach Street Distillers' Legacy

Founded in Palisade, Colorado, Peach Street Distillers emerged from the Western Slope's rich agricultural heritage. The distillery's location in Colorado's fruit belt initially inspired their renowned fruit brandies, but their passion for grain spirits led to the creation of their exceptional bourbon program. Today, Peach Street Distillers Straight Bourbon represents the culmination of years of experimentation, refinement, and dedication to the craft.

The distillery's commitment to transparency and quality has earned them numerous accolades from spirits competitions nationwide. Their philosophy of controlling every aspect of production – from grain selection to bottling – ensures that each bottle maintains the highest standards of craftsmanship. This attention to detail is evident in every sip of their straight bourbon, which showcases the terroir of Colorado's Western Slope in liquid form.

From Grain to Glass Philosophy

The grain-to-glass movement represents more than just a marketing term for Peach Street Distillers – it's a fundamental operating principle. Their Peach Street Distillers Straight Bourbon begins with carefully selected grains sourced from Colorado farms, supporting local agriculture while ensuring the freshest possible ingredients.

This hyperlocal approach extends to their water source – pure Rocky Mountain snowmelt that flows through ancient granite formations, naturally filtering and mineralizing the water. This pristine water forms the backbone of their bourbon, contributing to its clean, crisp character that distinguishes Colorado whiskeys from their counterparts in other regions. The result is a bourbon that truly tastes of its place, capturing the essence of the Colorado landscape in every bottle.

The Distillation Process

Peach Street Distillers employs traditional copper pot stills for their bourbon production, a choice that reflects their commitment to quality over quantity. Copper's catalytic properties remove sulfur compounds during distillation, resulting in a cleaner, more refined spirit. Their custom-designed stills allow for precise temperature control and careful separation of heads, hearts, and tails – ensuring only the finest portion of each run makes it into Peach Street Distillers Straight Bourbon.

The distillation process involves a double-distillation method, with the first pass through their wash still stripping the fermented mash of its alcohol, and the second pass through their spirit still refining and concentrating the flavors. This labor-intensive process requires constant monitoring and adjustment, with master distillers making crucial decisions based on taste, aroma, and years of experience. The low-and-slow approach to distillation preserves delicate flavor compounds that would be lost in more industrial operations.

Tasting Profile & Character

Peach Street Distillers Straight Bourbon greets the nose with an inviting bouquet of caramel, vanilla, and toasted oak. Initial impressions reveal layers of complexity – dried stone fruits reminiscent of the distillery's origins, backed by warm baking spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. The high-altitude aging contributes a unique brightness that sets it apart from traditional bourbon profiles.

On the palate, this bourbon delivers a harmonious balance of sweetness and spice. The entry is smooth and approachable, with notes of butterscotch and honey giving way to more complex flavors of leather, tobacco, and dark chocolate. The mid-palate reveals the grain bill's character, with corn sweetness balanced by rye spiciness and a touch of malted barley that adds depth and body. The finish is long and warming, with lingering notes of oak, caramel, and a pleasant peppery tingle that invites another sip.

Mash Bill Secrets

While many distilleries guard their mash bills as closely held secrets, Peach Street Distillers believes in transparency. Their Peach Street Distillers Straight Bourbon features a thoughtfully crafted grain recipe that balances tradition with innovation. The high corn content provides the sweetness and body expected from a bourbon, while the rye component adds spice and complexity.

What sets their mash bill apart is the attention to grain quality and preparation. Each batch begins with whole grains that are milled on-site, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor extraction. The cooking process is carefully controlled to convert starches to fermentable sugars while preserving the unique character of each grain. This meticulous approach to mashing creates a more flavorful wash, which ultimately translates to a more complex and satisfying bourbon.

Aging & Maturation Excellence

The aging process for Peach Street Distillers Straight Bourbon takes place in charred new American oak barrels, as required by law for straight bourbon whiskey. However, the Colorado climate creates unique aging conditions that accelerate maturation while adding distinctive character. The dramatic temperature swings between day and night cause the barrels to expand and contract more aggressively than in traditional bourbon regions, driving the spirit deeper into the wood and extracting more flavor compounds.

The low humidity of Colorado's high desert climate increases the angels' share – the portion of whiskey that evaporates during aging – but also concentrates the remaining spirit more quickly. This natural reduction results in a bourbon with intense flavors and a rich, viscous mouthfeel. The distillery's rickhouses are designed to maximize these environmental effects while protecting the barrels from extreme conditions that could negatively impact the aging process.

Perfect Serving Suggestions

To fully appreciate Peach Street Distillers Straight Bourbon, start by tasting it neat at room temperature. Pour about an ounce into a Glencairn glass or tulip-shaped snifter, allowing the aromas to concentrate. Take time to nose the bourbon before sipping, as much of the enjoyment comes from the complex aromatics. Let the first sip coat your palate, noting how the flavors evolve from entry to finish.

For those who prefer their bourbon with a touch of dilution, add a few drops of room temperature water to open up the flavors. The addition of water can reveal hidden notes and soften the alcohol burn, making it easier to detect subtle nuances. Alternatively, serve over a large ice cube, which will slowly dilute the bourbon while chilling it. The key is to use ice that's as pure as possible – consider making ice from filtered or spring water to avoid introducing off-flavors.

Signature Cocktail Recipes

Colorado Old Fashioned

This elevated take on the classic Old Fashioned showcases Peach Street Distillers Straight Bourbon while incorporating local Colorado honey:

• 2 oz Peach Street Distillers Straight Bourbon
• 1/4 oz Colorado wildflower honey syrup
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• Orange peel for garnish

Stir ingredients with ice, strain over fresh ice, express orange oils over the surface.

Peach Street Manhattan

A sophisticated cocktail that balances the bourbon's sweetness with vermouth's complexity:

• 2.5 oz Peach Street Distillers Straight Bourbon
• 1 oz sweet vermouth
• 2 dashes chocolate bitters
• Luxardo cherry for garnish

Stir with ice, strain into coupe, garnish with cherry.

Exceptional Food Pairings

Peach Street Distillers Straight Bourbon pairs beautifully with a wide range of foods, thanks to its balanced flavor profile. The bourbon's caramel and vanilla notes complement grilled meats perfectly, especially when paired with barbecue sauces that echo its sweet and smoky character. Try it alongside Colorado lamb chops with a bourbon glaze, or with slow-smoked brisket for a truly memorable meal.

For cheese pairings, aged cheddars and smoked goudas provide excellent counterpoints to the bourbon's sweetness. The whiskey's spice notes also make it an ideal companion for dark chocolate desserts, pecan pie, or bread pudding with bourbon sauce. Consider serving it with a charcuterie board featuring cured meats, dried fruits, and nuts – the variety of flavors and textures creates endless pairing possibilities.

Bourbon Comparison Guide

Collecting & Investment Potential

As Colorado's craft distilling scene continues to gain national recognition, bottles like Peach Street Distillers Straight Bourbon are becoming increasingly sought after by collectors. Limited production runs and the distillery's growing reputation make their releases potential investment pieces. Early bottles from craft distilleries that later achieve widespread acclaim often appreciate significantly in value.

For collectors, proper storage is essential. Keep bottles upright in a cool, dark place with stable temperatures. Unlike wine, bourbon doesn't improve in the bottle, but proper storage prevents degradation. Document purchase dates and batch information, as these details become important for establishing provenance. Consider purchasing multiple bottles – one to enjoy now and others to hold for future enjoyment or potential appreciation.

Local Availability in Durango

Smart Purchase Guide

When shopping for Peach Street Distillers Straight Bourbon at Wagon Wheel Liquors, consider purchasing multiple bottles to take advantage of any case discounts. This bourbon makes an excellent gift for whiskey enthusiasts, especially those interested in exploring craft distilleries beyond the traditional bourbon regions. The knowledgeable staff can provide recommendations for complementary spirits or suggest food pairings.

Check for special releases or limited editions, as Peach Street Distillers occasionally offers single barrel selections or special finishes. These limited releases often sell out quickly and can become highly collectible. Sign up for Wagon Wheel Liquors' SMS notifications to stay informed about new arrivals and special events featuring Peach Street Distillers Straight Bourbon and other craft spirits.