History

Nevada H&C Distilling Co is based in Las Vegas, Nevada, and produces Smoke Wagon Whiskey and Silver Dollar Vodka. The story follows two partners, Jonathan and Aaron, who met in Los Angeles and started The Griffin bar project together. After years of experience in the bar industry they decided to make their own spirits and founded Nevada H&C Distilling Co in Las Vegas, where they became pioneers as the city’s first distillery – something that required a license from the city council, as there had not been one before. The process was long and demanding and took six years from idea to opening. Along the way they worked to establish a high rye mash bill and aged the distillate in the building, where the conditions on the upper floors were warm and dynamically affected the aging. They sought to streamline the process, including a choice of a proprietary silver filtration system, and they created their own bottle designs and packaging with help from designers and engineers. Through all this they have maintained a great enthusiasm and pride in the products and continue to age new blends.

Production / Manufacturing

The story describes a startup with no experience in distilling and equipment, and that it was a challenging process to get machinery and buildings approved. They also describe how the barrel aging works: the barrels were placed on the top floors of the warehouse, which led to more heat and more movement in the wood, affecting flavor and character – and that they did not rotate the barrels to avoid sharp tannins. An important detail is that Straight Bourbon is non-chill-filtered, and the mash bill is high in rye, which gives a spicy and nutty finish. The process also involved changes to state laws and the need to push forward with packaging and bottle design, which together led to a shaping of the company and its unique branding. There is also ongoing enthusiasm and willingness to experiment with new blends as new barrels mature.

Products / Whisky Series

• Smoke Wagon – Pro Gallery
• Straight
• Desert Colt
• Small Batch

• Uncut Unfiltered

• Smoke Wagon Straight Bourbon Whiskey

• Excerpt of awards: San Francisco World Spirits Competition – 2020 Double Gold, 2021 Gold, 2022 Gold; Ascot Awards 2022 Gold.
• Flavor profile and details: A bourbon crafted for an affordable daily drink, with a high rye mash bill and aged without chill-filtering to preserve a rich and creamy mouthfeel. Nose: honey, roasted nuts and oak with warmth; Palate: creamy mouthfeel with honey and caramel, followed by nuts, oak and pepper from the rye; Finish: creamy sweetness with oak and pepper lingering.

• Description of aging and production principles: The barrels placed on the top floors, which heat up more in the summer and are not rotated, yielding a more even, yet characterful development of flavor. Not chill-filtered and the high rye content contribute to a rich and creamy finish.

• Silver Dollar Vodka

• Bottle history and design: The story of the Morgan silver dollar, minted in Carson City, and which serves as a symbol for the vodka due to its silver filtration. The Silver Dollar bottle and aesthetics with a high level of design elements reflect the Nevada theme and the story behind how the vodka is treated and presented.
• Logo and symbolism: The logo consists of two crossed Smoke Wagons over the state of Nevada, with the motto and a quote from Seneca, bibamus moriendum est. The Latin quote literally means: “drink, for we must die,” but the meaning in practice reads as an invitation to enjoy today and drink responsibly.

Bottle History and Design

The Story of Our Bottles describes the visually cohesive approach to the bottle and label designs, where the image of sage and the Nevada state flower appear on the Silver Dollar bottle as well as on Smoke Wagon’s amber bottles and the Straight Bourbon label. The Morgan silver dollar, minted in Carson City, serves as a natural and Nevada-related reference to the vodka’s silver filtration. The Seneca quote and the accompanying wax seal with two Smoke Wagons reinforce the brand’s narrative and identity.

Philosophy

We get a portrait of a pair of founders with great passion for their work and a pride in the products. They acknowledge that they are not finished yet – as the barrels mature, they have the opportunity to experiment with new blends and further develop the portfolio. This shows a culture of dedication to craft and an ongoing pursuit to improve and expand their range.