History

NOCO Distillery is a microdistillery located in Fort Collins, Colorado at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. They emphasize craftsmanship in small batches and use exclusively copper stills, including both column and pot stills. The fermentation process can last over a month, and the slow distillation process increases reflux and copper contact for a smoother spirit through careful, smaller cuts. They distill at least three times (triple distillation) to achieve deeper flavor and complexity.

Production and aging

The spirits are aged in American oak barrels in varying sizes (5, 10, 15, 30, 53, and 100 gallons). The barrel staves are seasoned for 12–48 months, depending on the supplier. They also use up to nine other woods for finishing, primarily for rum and agave spirits. This approach positions NOCO as one of the few distilleries with an advanced maturation/finishing process and more than 25 different products in the portfolio.

Products / Whisky Series

NOCO produces a wide range of spirits; among the whisky products you will find traditional American whiskey, single malt whisky, blended whisky, bourbon and rye, as well as NOCO’s own variants and a new make called Trailershine. The range also includes gins (London Dry, saffron and Rose), rum, vodka, eau-de-vie (brandy), Aquavit, liqueurs (Falernum, Peppermint Schnapps), orange liqueurs and Tokilya blue agave spirit. NOCO also describes different finish variants and barrel-strength/label designs in their catalog.

Visits and experiences

NOCO Distillery has a Speakeasy & Tasting Room in Fort Collins. Tastings and cocktails are offered, and space should be booked, as reservations are recommended. Store-like experiences include group activities and private tours with guided tastings. Private Barrel programs and venues for events are also offered, including the option to fully rent the premises for special occasions.

Philosophy

NOCO Distillery practices socially responsible business operations by outsourcing parts of the process to local companies and by purchasing raw materials primarily from Colorado. They focus on reducing their CO2 footprint through local sourcing, energy savings, and recycling. Energy use is minimized with heat exchangers and a closed loop using water from the RO system. There is also a recycling program where bottle returns can earn a credit. They strive to use organic or non-GMO ingredients whenever possible.