Editor’s Note: This whiskey was provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. This in no way, according to our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review. It should also be noted that clicking the purchase link in this review, our site receives a small referral payment that helps support, but does not influence, our editorial and other costs.
Mile High Spirits in Denver, Colorado is a rare working distillery located in the heart of downtown. As such, they have transformed their facilities into much more than just a place for alcohol production. A visit there can lead you to enjoy live music (in their 5,000 square feet venue), make your own cocktails with a local bartender, or snack on a food pairing. There are even dance parties on weekends and ‘Introduce a friendmatchmaking events.
They make not only whiskey, but also vodka, two gins and rum, and bottle a cooperative tequila. Their tours are known to dig deep into every aspect of their process (but “we won’t confuse you too”). The on-site bar experiments with infusions and offers creative cocktails, not just sips of neat spirits.
Mile High is also committed to using the best local ingredients in its production, such as Colorado cornbarley and rye and Rocky Mountain Water. You will find the flavors of Palisade peaches, pride of the state, in the Fireside Peach Bourbon and a unique botanical invoice for their Summit Gin.
From this description, you can guess the philosophy of the company: to create a very good product without “being obnoxious snobs about it.” It’s evident in everything from their copy to their awards that they want to be the minds of the people. And when I absorb it all, I believe it. looks ridiculous.
Any such democratic alcoholic beverage should offer a version that complies with Whiskey’s own consumer protection law: bottled in bond. A upgrade: Bottled in Bond certifies that a whiskey is the product of a distillery over one distilling season, aged for a minimum of four years in a federal bonded warehouse, and bottled at 100 proof.
We review Mile High Spirits Fireside Bottled In Bond Bourbon, a high-rye bourbon distilled in Colorado that meets bond bottling requirements. (image via Mile High Spirits)
Tasting notes: Mile High Spirits Fireside bottled in Bond Bourbon
Vital Stats: made from 70% corn, 20% rye and 10% chocolate malted barley. It is aged for four years and bottled at 100 proof. Find a 750ml bottle in select markets and online for $49.99
Appearance: This liquid is amber and coats the glass and slowly condenses into legs.
Nose: This whiskey has such a subtle and compact nose, even after resting in the glass. Sounds of peach gum next to a “Saison des Shortbread” scented candle and a light woodiness like the inside of a drawer.
Palace: Sweet on the attack, the flavor rounds out to a cereal character with tangy cloves and white pepper. The medium-short finish speaks of smoky almonds before the bitterness of black tea kicks in.
