History

Peach Street Distillers was among the first craft distilleries in Colorado and is often referred to as Colorado's Original Grain-to-Glass Distillery. They also marked the beginning of Colorado's legal bourbon after Prohibition. All products are made on-site in Palisade from local grain and fruit, and the process is founded on the idea of grain-to-glass and pride in the Palisade Valley. Their tasting room is open every day, and it is a gathering place for the local community. The owners are Palisade locals: Desa Loughman, Cody Butters Lewis, Jesse Loughman, and Michael Lewis, and the company is described as a Palisade-based family business. Since the 2000s, Peach Street Distillers has focused on craft, local ingredients, and small batches, and is described as part of the 'Happiest Block' in North America through its memories, the press, and regional awards. Beyond all this there is also a note that the company cultivates a long-standing connection to the local community and local fruits and grains as the foundation for their spirits.

Production

The company is described as grain-to-glass, with everything produced on-site in Palisade using local ingredients and pure Rocky Mountain water. Spirits are produced in small batches and distilled on-site, and there are open descriptions of the process: milling, mashing, distilling, aging, and bottling take place locally. On the bottle side it states that the spirits are produced, aged, and bottled in Palisade, and the process is supported by pride in local grains and fruit.

For Bourbon and whiskey it states clearly that Colorado Straight Bourbon and other bourbons mature in American oak barrels. It also notes that Bourbon, and Rye, have aging requirements: 3 years minimum for Bourbon, with longer ages for certain variants (e.g., 5 years, 6 years, 7 years; 4 years in Bonded). Specifically, it mentions that Bourbon and Rye have different aging levels: from 2.5 years for Rye to longer times for single barrels and barreled expressions. In addition to Bourbon and Rye, American Single Malt and Cranior (Smoked Rye) are also described with described character. Their tours report describes that tours include a walkthrough of the process from mashing to bottling, including tastings and a Q&A with an expert, and that the tour lasts about an hour. Tours also offer the opportunity to purchase bottles with a 10% discount at the end. Safety guidelines mention closed-toe shoes and possibly eye protection as needed.

Products / Whisky Series

Whisky Series

• Colorado Straight Bourbon: Colorado's first legal bourbon, aged at least 3 years with notes of caramel, vanilla, and a subtle spice.
• 5 Year Bourbon: Classic Colorado Straight Bourbon aged 5+ years and bottled from a single barrel.
• 6 Year Bourbon Bottled in Bond: Aged 6 years and bottled at bonded proofs (100 proof).
• 7 Year Bourbon: Aged 7+ years and bottled from a single barrel.
• Peach Infused Bourbon: Classic Colorado Straight Bourbon aged 3 years and moved to Peach Brandy cask for flavor.
• Bonded Bourbon: Bottled in Bond, a 4-year-old classic Colorado Straight Bourbon at bonded proof.
• Red Wine Barrel Finished Bourbon: 3-year-old Bourbon moved to Sauvage Spectrum Red Wine Finish for 1+ year.
• Barrel Strength Bourbon: Higher-strength Bourbon, around 117 proof at bottling.
• American Single Malt Whiskey: Notes of a nutty and lightly salted/briny character with sweetness.
• Smoked Rye Whiskey: Deep and complex, made from smoked rye and malted grains.
• 5 Year Colorado Straight Rye Whiskey: Rye aged up to 5 years.
• Colorado Straight Rye Whiskey: Minimum 2.5 years aging in rye.
• American Peated Single Malt Whiskey: Peated single-malt spirit produced in America.

In addition to these, various other categories such as Schnapps and Amaro are described under Rarer Air, but they belong to other spirit types than whisky and are therefore not listed as separate whisky types in this overview.

Notes on Types

The producers describe bourbon, rye, single malt, and peated whisky, which allows these types to be registered as 23 (Straight Bourbon), 22 (Straight Rye), 25 (Malt Whisky), and 15 (Peated Whisky). Some products may be included as special editions (e.g., Bonded, Barrel Strength) and do not change the primary type.

Visit / Experiences

Peach Street Distillers has a vibrant visitor culture in Palisade with a tasting room that is open every day. They welcome dogs and well-behaved children in the area around the historic trolley-kiosk tasting room, and they offer guided tours of the distillery.

Tours are offered on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 4:00 PM, cost $25 per person, and are for ages 21+. An extended tour provides insight into the production process from milled grain to bottling and includes a tasting flight of three 1-oz samples: Colorado Straight Bourbon, Barrel Strength Colorado Straight Bourbon and 5 Year Aged Single Barrel Colorado Straight Bourbon. The tour lasts about an hour, and part of the time is spent outside under the pergola outside the Rickhouse to taste different ages and proofs. Participants take home their tasting glass as a memento.

There is an option to purchase bottles after the tour with 10% discount. Tours require closed-toe shoes and possibly safety glasses, which are provided as needed. Their visiting information also includes the option to enjoy on-site on their patio, and that you can get a flight of spirits in their Palisade tasting room. Their website also suggests booking a tour and viewing their food and drink offerings on-site.

Philosophy

Peach Street Distillers focuses on grain-to-glass and locally sourced ingredients. Each drop is 'crafted right here in Palisade' from local grains and fruits, and they mill, mash, distill, age, and bottle everything on-site. They describe themselves as Palisade locals and as part of Palisade's community experience – a place where good spirits, authentic conversations, and friendships flourish. Their history is closely tied to the local fruit culture (pears, peaches, apricots), and they emphasize their role as part of the local and Colorado spirits scene, where they have received recognition and media attention for their products and affiliation.