History

Shelter Distilling is a Mountain West distillery and a testament to the fusion of tradition, innovation and an adventurous spirit. Our roots are deeply anchored in the wild beauty of granite cliffs and alpine meadows, where we harness nature's gifts, from pure alpine snowmelt to Heirloom Blue Corn and grains harvested across the American West Coast. As a purpose-driven distillery, we are passionate about innovation and the creation of a diverse array of unique spirits – including whiskey and bourbon, agave, gin, canned cocktails and craft beer. Our philosophy is to unite traditional distilling with modern techniques and a healthy dose of experimentation, inspired by the outdoor landscapes around us. Our products reflect the Mountain West's nature, ingredients and water from alpine snow, and our approach includes single-barrel, cask-finished and small-batch expressions, all bearing the mark of our adventurous spirit.

Production / Manufacturing

Shelter combines traditional distillation principles with modern techniques and a healthy dose of experimentation. We use crystal-clear alpine water and local ingredients, and our mash bills are tailored to each expression. For example, Ridge Runner Bourbon is distilled from a four-grain mash bill of 100% Colorado-grown yellow corn, wheat, malted barley and rye, and this single-barrel expression is aged for a minimum of two years and bottled at 94 proof. Many of our whiskies are not chill-filtered and not blended, which gives each bottle its own unique character. We also produce American Single Malt Whiskey (driven by double pot-still and Hungarian Oak chips), Embers Peated Whiskey (with smoky notes), Granite Rye Whiskey and a range of other expressions such as American Wheat, Small Batch Blue Corn Bourbon and Single Barrel Blue Corn Bourbon. Our approach also extends to finished and specialty expressions such as Echoes Cask Finished Bourbon and Nature’s Veil Whiskey (wheat-based) as well as Timeless Whiskey (MAPLE SYRUP Cask-finish).

Products / Whiskey Series

• American Single Malt Whiskey – double pot-distilled and finished with Hungarian Oak Chips; later aged in American oak barrels; noted with 93 points on Tastings.com. Tasting notes include vanilla, stone fruit and spice.
• Ridge Runner Bourbon (Single Barrel) – four-grain mash bill (100% Colorado-grown yellow corn, wheat, malted barley and rye); at least two years old, bottled at 94 proof; notes include vanilla, corn and oak.
• Small Batch Blue Corn Bourbon – blend of 2–3 hand-selected barrels based on California blue corn and wheat/barley/rye; 90 proof.
• Single Barrel Blue Corn Bourbon – 70% California blue corn, 20% Colorado wheat, 5% Colorado 2-row malted barley, 5% Colorado rye; 92 proof.
• Echoes Cask Finished Bourbon – single-barrel blue corn bourbon finished in a blackberry wine cask; 94 proof.
• Granite Rye Whiskey – 100% Californian Admiral Rye, aged in new American oak; 94 proof.
• Embers Peated Whiskey – whiskey made with peated malt and alpine snowmelt water; 86 proof.
• Olathe Sweet Corn Bourbon – 100% corn (Olathe Sweet Corn) with cask strength 100 proof; available in Montrose, CO.
• Timeless Whiskey – American Single Malt finished in a Maple Syrup Cask; 85 proof.
• Nature’s Veil Whiskey – Wheat-based whiskey, finished in Concord grape wine cask for 10 months; a complex and fruity profile.
• American Wheat Whiskey – 100% North American, soft winter white wheat; 90 proof.
• Dark Sky Whiskey – made with dark roasted malted barley and aged in oak; chocolate, vanilla and stone-fruit notes; 80 proof.
• American Single Malt / Malt varieties – expressions such as “Timeless” and other limited editions, where oak and finishes are experimented with.

Visits / Experiences

Shelter Distilling operates in three locations: - Mammoth Lakes, CA – distillery, brewery and kitchen; open all week with cocktails and food available. - Montrose, CO – Riverfront edition and Montrose Regional Airport; restaurant and bar with a distillery connection; Distillery Tours held on Fridays at 6:00 PM and Saturdays at 4:00 PM. - Visits include tastings of Shelter spirits and areas to experience the outdoors-inspired profile.

Philosophy

Shelter Distilling lives and breathes adventure and innovation in the Mountain West. We merge traditional distilling techniques with modern methods and a heavy dose of experimentation, all driven by our desire to capture the landscape around us in our flavor profiles. Our water comes from alpine snowmelt, and we use local ingredients and capture the landscapes we travel through in each expression. We also offer cans and canned cocktails — described as not “corporate seltzers,” but as true craft cocktails in a can that suit an active outdoor lifestyle.