High in the foothills of Lyons, Colorado, a pack of spirited friends transformed an old motorcycle repair shop into what would become one of the most acclaimed craft distilleries in the Rockies. Spirit Hound Distillers was founded in 2011 by Craig Engelhorn, a Colorado native whose brewing prowess had already made its mark through Dale’s Pale Ale at Oskar Blues. Seeking new challenges at a higher level, Craig and his companions built their dream from scratch, literally. Craig himself spent more than 500 hours crafting the distillery’s signature all-copper pot still, a centerpiece of ingenuity and dedication that continues to define their hands-on ethos today.
From the very beginning, Spirit Hound’s creations have been unmistakably tied to their mountain home. Snowmelt from the Rockies is combined with locally sourced ingredients such as wild juniper berries hand-picked from nearby river basins, raw honey from neighboring apiaries, and malted barley grown in southern Colorado. Every element, from the spirits to the bottles and labels, is touched by the team’s commitment to authenticity and craft. What started with gin, vodka, and other clear spirits while their whisky patiently aged has since grown into a portfolio of more than seventeen distinctive bottlings, each infused with Rocky Mountain character.
The guiding inspiration behind Spirit Hound is embedded in its very name. A “Spirit Hound” embodies curiosity, boldness, and relentless pursuit, the instinct to chase greatness wherever it may be found. Like a dog with its nose in the wind, always seeking and never settling, the distillery reflects this restless optimism in every experiment, every barrel, and every bottle.
Recognition soon followed their humble beginnings. Spirit Hound’s Straight American Single Malt Whisky earned international acclaim, winning multiple Whisky of the Year awards, along with gold medals and accolades for its deep, complex flavors. Their ingenuity extends beyond whisky to inventive projects like their Honey Whisky, finished in barrels that once held raw honey, which imparts subtle whispers of sweetness without ever compromising purity. Their five-year rye, carefully aged in single barrels, adds further proof of their mastery of balance and patience.
Community has always been at the heart of Spirit Hound. Their original Lyons distillery remains a destination where craft, creativity, and conviviality converge, while a second tasting room in Denver offers classes, live music, and cocktails that showcase the versatility of their spirits. Each location reflects the same warm, communal spirit that fueled their founding.
What truly sets Spirit Hound apart is the combination of place, process, and philosophy. The high-altitude climate of Colorado accelerates aging, coaxing mature flavors from whisky earlier than expected. Their single-barrel commitment means that every release is distinct, shaped by the nuances of barrel char, warehouse position, and local climate. And at the core of it all is an unyielding devotion to craft; everything, from stills to spirits, labels to bottling, is done by hand with precision and pride.
From the spark of an idea in a small Colorado town to international recognition, Spirit Hound Distillers has remained true to its ethos: to embody curiosity, craftsmanship, and the untamed spirit of the Rockies. Each pour tells the story of friends who dared to chase opportunity, a community that embraced them, and a distillery that never stops howling toward the next horizon.
