Woody Creek Distillers Opens in Basalt

Woody Creek Distillers, a new Basalt-based distillery, has opened its doors yesterday, following preparations that took a year of construction, a summer of farming, and six months of distilling. The result of all that work? A 10,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art distillery, tasting room and the release of its ultra-premium American spirits, including its signature Potato Vodka and Reserve Stobrawa Potato Vodka, each completely grown, distilled and bottled in the Aspen Valley.

"To be honest, we're control freaks, and we think our quest for perfection shows in everything we do from seed to sip,"says Mark Kleckner, co-owner and CFO/COO for the company. "Our distillery and spirits are world-class, made from the finest produce grown at 7,500 feet in the Aspen valley," adds Mary Scanlan who leads the company as CEO and co-owns it as well.

Currently, Woody Creek Distillers has two vodka varieties available, the Potato Vodka and Reserve Stobrawa Potato Vodka, and it plans to release four specialty spirits in 2013 including Baby Bourbon, Gin, Apple Brandy and Pear Eau de Vie. The corn and fruit used in these spirits is locally sourced from growers in nearby Olathe and Paonia.

"The distillery is running at full tilt," says Kleckner. "Every day we are processing our own potatoes or what is grown by local farmers we know and trust. We want to showcase the incredible quality of our farm and neighboring Colorado farms in each and every bottle of Woody Creek Distillers spirits."

Woody Creek Distillers' tasting room is open Wednesday through Saturday, noon to 7 p.m. Its full line of spirits and products at available for purchase at the distillery and select retailers. Tours of the facility are available by appointment. The bar/lounge is tended by scratch mixologists Wednesday through Saturdays, 4 to 7 p.m.

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