Deerhammer Progeny Series No. 4, Vino Verso, Now Available
The next edition of the Progeny Series at Deerhammer takes form as a collaboration with the highly acclaimed Carboy Winery, one of Colorado’s largest and most well-known wine operations.
BUENA VISTA, CO— The next edition of the Progeny Series at Deerhammer takes form as a collaboration with the highly acclaimed Carboy Winery, one of Colorado’s largest and most well-known wine operations. Release No. 4 is an expression of the distillery’s flagship American Single Malt aged in three different casks from Carboy Winery Littleton, just one of their four locations throughout the state. This collaboration is available in Colorado while supplies last.
A celebration of Colorado and its innovative spirit, The Progeny Series is a lineup of small-batch spirits created through partnerships between Deerhammer and other crafters in The Centennial State. Thus far the series has included a whiskey and chocolate pairing with Cultura Chocolate; a Redstone Meadery mead-barrel aged Single Malt Whiskey called Honeycomber; and Cask Savant, a Bierschnapps distilled from Crooked Stave Hop Savant hoppy Brett beer.
For Progeny Series No. 4, Deerhammer Founder Lenny Eckstein set out to acquire a range of freshly harvested Carboy barrels to lend a secondary finishing note to Deerhammer’s highly decorated American Single Malt whiskey. After an initial three-year maturation in toasted/charred new oak, Vino Verso embarked on a secondary journey of an additional two years commingled within three distinct Carboy cask types: Albariño, Bourbon Barrel Cider, and Gewurztraminer Brandy (Blend Composition: 65% Albariño, 10% Cider, 25% Brandy). The resulting whiskey evokes cherry pie filling, cinnamon raisin bread, hibiscus tea, and toasted oak aroma, the flavors of grilled peaches, freshly baked sourdough, lavender, and blackberry jam— with more toasted oak, dried apple slices, leather, honeysuckle, and grape skins on the finish.
"The extraordinary facet of this collaboration was the distinct flavor profiles extracted from three unique aging vessels,” says Carboy Director of Winemaking Tyzok Wharton. “Lenny and his team have crafted an elegantly layered experience with this blend— the floral notes from the Albariño and cider casks carry through to butterscotch panna cotta on the palate, from the Gewurztraminer brandy casks. The texture is ethereal. And the patience required for this release... worthwhile."
Vino Verso is available in limited 750ML bottles at select Colorado retailers with an SRP of $59.00. It’s also available as a pour at all Carboy Winery locations while supplies last.
For more information about Deerhammer and the Progeny Series, contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT DEERHAMMER
Steeped in Tradition. Crafted in Colorado.
Amy and Lenny Eckstein founded Deerhammer in 2010. Drawn to Buena Vista, Colorado by the whitewater currents of the Arkansas River, their passion for whiskey is driven by that same adventurous spirit. As artisans and business owners, Amy and Lenny’s process is defined by a deep curiosity for the history of spirits and a thoughtful analysis of each individual step of the distilling process. Deerhammer's cornerstone contribution to the field of American craft spirits, Single Malt Whiskey, has become the company's flagship product. Deerhammer also distills Whitewater Whiskey, Buena Vista Brandy, and Dutch Style Gin. Find the distillery online at deerhammer.com.
ABOUT CARBOY WINERY
Modern-day pioneers of Colorado wine, Carboy Winery is a passionate group of winemakers and restaurateurs. Since 2016 our award-winning wines have helped lift the Colorado wine industry into prominence as a wine region ripe with possibilities. Through ambitious winemaking and innovation with new varietal wines, sparkling wines, and wine seltzers, Carboy is slowly turning a state known for its beer into one that creates exciting and adventurous wines. Year after year, our commitment to Colorado viticulture continues to grow. One of the largest producers in the state, we craft impactful wines that reveal the extraordinary terroir and unmistakable typicity of Colorado's Grand Valley and Washington's Horse Heaven Hills AVAs. Come visit any of our four Colorado locations in Littleton, Denver, Breckenridge, and Palisade.
Stay up to date on the latest Carboy Winery news, join the wine club, or host your next event with us! Visit us online at carboywinery.com or follow us on Instagram.
Deerhammer and Eddyline Brewery Are Building The Crank N’ Hammer Trail In Buena Vista With Distilled Beer
Deerhammer and Eddyline debuted Trail Forge Whiskey last year, a project now five years in the making that has raised $25,000 in funds for the creation of the new Crank 'n Hammer trail in Buena Vista. The next single barrel bottling of Trail Forge will be available in May.
BUENA VISTA, CO— Deerhammer and Eddyline debuted Trail Forge last year, a project now five years in the making that has raised $25,000 in funds for the creation of the new Crank 'n Hammer trail in Buena Vista. The next single barrel bottling of Trail Forge will be available in May.
The concept for Trail Forge was conceived in 2018 as an unexpected excess of IPA cans that Eddyline wanted to make good use of while the beer was fresh. A squad of volunteers from the Buena Vista Singletrack Coalition hand poured each of these cans, 10,000 gallons worth, of Crank Yanker into the still at Deerhammer. “All of the volunteers thought it was so awesome that this work was going to make whiskey that was going to make trails,” says Deerhammer Founder & Owner Lenny Eckstein. “And that’s exactly what happened.”
The Crank n’ Hammer trail is a 2.1 mile section connecting Camp Elevation South with Fistful of Dollars, a loop that will avoid car traffic on CR 304. Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado will be building a portion of this highly anticipated bikeway on May 13 and 14, and the full distance is slated for completion during the upcoming warm months.
Buena Vista institutions Deerhammer and Eddyline were both founded in part because of the surrounding Arkansas Valley trail system that they biked on long before they crafted spirits and beers for the growing number of locals and visitors in the area. Owners Lenny Eckstein of Deerhammer and Brian England of Eddyline have only gotten more passionate about these nearby trails as they raise their families in the area, and cultivate community over pints and drams aprés mountain biking. Over the years they have collaborated on various barrel aged beer projects, with their latest endeavor to craft Deerhammer whiskey from Eddyline beer inspired by and in support of Buena Vista’s extensive trail system.
This unique category of spirits— referred to Bierschnapps in Germany– is beer distilled into spirit. The grain bill on its own might yield a malt whiskey, “but with the flavor addition of the hops added in the boil and post-fermentation, this spirit takes a turn away from more traditional whiskey notes,” says Eckstein. “It hits a hybrid flavor profile that would likely intrigue any whiskey purist, and at the same time lure in those that typically reach for a hoppy beer rather than a pour of whiskey.”
The latest expression of Trail Forge was aged 4.5 years and will be at a cask strength of 110 proof. “The extra time in the barrel definitely rounds out the typical citrus hop notes into more of a subtle, fruit-forward essence,” says Eckstein. “Cantaloupe meets blueberries meets lemongrass and peppercorn. It almost hits me more like a brandy than a whiskey.”
Created by local mountain biker Brinkley Messick, who has helped to build many trails in Buena Vista and beyond, the collectible Trail Forge label artwork features beer and whiskey elements, and local topography to boot. This second bottling of Trail Forge will become available at Deerhammer and Eddyline in May, just in time to welcome peak mountain biking season in the Arkansas Valley.
For more information about Trail Forge, contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT DEERHAMMER
Steeped in Tradition. Crafted in Colorado.
Amy and Lenny Eckstein founded Deerhammer in 2010. Drawn to Buena Vista, Colorado by the whitewater currents of the Arkansas River, their passion for whiskey is driven by that same adventurous spirit. As artisans and business owners, Amy and Lenny’s process is defined by a deep curiosity for the history of spirits and a thoughtful analysis of each individual step of the distilling process. Deerhammer's cornerstone contribution to the field of American craft spirits, Single Malt Whiskey, has become the company's flagship product. Deerhammer also distills Whitewater Whiskey, Buena Vista Brandy, and Dutch Style Gin. Find the distillery online at deerhammer.com.
ABOUT EDDYLINE BREWERY
Eddyline Taproom & Brewery is one of Colorado’s fastest growing microbreweries. Since 2009, Eddyline has been focused on creating unique ales and lagers of the highest quality while representing the state’s outdoor enthusiasts. Our 16-ounce cans are infinitely recyclable, preserve the quality and freshness of the beer and are easily transportable for your favorite outdoor adventures. Eddyline works closely with local groups to help improve trails, river parks, and strongly believes in being an active steward of the local Chaffee County community. Find the brewery online at eddylinebrewing.com.
Deerhammer Awarded 2019 Good Food Award for Cultura Cask Finished American Single Malt Whiskey
2019 marks the ninth year of the Good Food Awards and the second consecutive year Deerhammer has been recognized as a winner.
BUENA VISTA, CO— Deerhammer Distilling is the proud recipient of the 2019 Good Food Award in the spirits category for their Progeny Series: Cultura Cask Finished American Single Malt Whiskey. The distillery was recognized with the honors at the organization’s annual awards ceremony at the San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Center on Friday, January 11. This is the second win for Deerhammer Distilling at the Good Food Awards following a 2018 win for their American Single Malt Whiskey.
2019 marks the ninth year of the Good Food Awards and the second consecutive year Deerhammer has been recognized as a winner. This platform recognizes to tasty, authentic, and responsible food producers in 16 categories: beer, spirits, cider, charcuterie, cheese, chocolate, coffee, confections, fish, honey, oils, pantry, pickles, preserves, snacks and elixirs. This year’s competition saw 2035 entries.
Deerhammer’s Cultura Cask Finished American Single Malt was one of 401 finalists for the 2019 awards, which included 22 other finalists in the competition’s spirits category.
“It is a huge honor to take home the Good Food Award for a second time,” explains co-founder Lenny Eckstein. “It’s especially meaningful for us to be recognized this time around for such an unconventional whiskey. So much of the American whiskey landscape is absolutely dominated by the same old standard styles and flavors that have been around forever. We do things differently at Deerhammer, and the Progeny Series whiskey that won this year is a great example of exactly that. We took our 2 year American Single Malt and finished it for an additional year in barrels that we seasoned with Guatemalan cacao nibs from Cultura Craft Chocolate.”
Spirits that meet the criteria for Good Food Awards entry must be made in the United States utilizing ingredients grown and sourced responsibly without the use of synthetic herbicides, pesticides, fungicides or fertilizers as much as possible, free of artificial ingredients, and distilled without GMOs.
For more information about Deerhammer Distilling, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT DEERHAMMER DISTILLING
Steeped in Tradition. Crafted in Colorado. Amy and Lenny Eckstein founded Deerhammer in 2010. Drawn to Buena Vista, Colorado by the whitewater currents of the Arkansas River, their passion for whiskey is driven by that same adventurous spirit. As artisans and business owners, Amy and Lenny’s process is defined by a deep curiosity for the history of spirits and a thoughtful analysis of each individual step of the distilling process. Deerhammer's cornerstone contribution to the field of craft spirits, American Single Malt Whiskey, has become the company's flagship product. Deerhammer also distills a Straight Bourbon, Hickory Smoked American Whiskey and Straight Rye Whiskey. Find the distillery online at deerhammer.com.
ABOUT GOOD FOOD AWARDS
The Good Food Awards (GFA) celebrate exceptional American craft food and drink producers who create distinctive, handcrafted, and sustainable products. The GFA brings together thought leaders from every sector of the food industry to choose the most delicious products from all regions of the country in a blind tasting. Products are evaluated by region, allowing the GFA to showcase the rich variety of terroirs of the nation’s food culture, elevating craft producers with the ultimate aim of stimulating local food economies. After the tasting, high-scoring producers are closely vetted for compliance with GFA requirements for sustainable production practices. Winners and runners-up are evaluated by the Good Food Foundation and announced each January at the Awards Ceremony. Learn more at goodfoodfdn.org.
Deerhammer American Single Malt Wins 2018 Good Food Award
Deerhammer Distilling’s American Single Malt was named a winner in the spirits category of the 2018 Good Food Awards today at the organization’s annual awards ceremony
Photo by Kassia Borreson of the Good Food Awards blind tasting
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Deerhammer Distilling’s American Single Malt was named a winner in the spirits category of the 2018 Good Food Awards today at the organization’s annual awards ceremony at the San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Center.
Now in its eighth year, the Good Food Awards are given to tasty, authentic and responsible food producers in 15 categories: spirits, beer, cider, charcuterie, cheese, chocolate, coffee, confections, preserved fish, honey, oils pantry, pickles, preserves, and elixirs. Deerhammer American Single Malt was one of 279 finalists for the 2018 awards, which include 15 other spirits category finalists. This year’s judges included Summer-Jane Bell, the president of the US Bartender’s Guild, and Sue AnderBois, the director of Food Strategy of the State of Rhode Island, among several other food and beverage professionals and spirits writers.
Good Food Awards entries must be made in the United States, utilize ingredients that are grown and sourced responsibly and grown without the use of synthetic herbicides, pesticides, fungicides or fertilizers as much as possible, free of artificial ingredients, and distilled without GMOs.
"It’s great to finally see the American Single Malt category gain some recognition, but even more awesome to be recognized by the Good Food Awards that takes the judging criteria seriously for American whiskey,” says Deerhammer founder and head distiller Lenny Eckstein. “This award is a huge honor for us.”
For more information about Deerhammer's American Single Malt, or with any other media inquiries, feel free to contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com. For more information about the Good Food Awards, contact Madeline Wheeler at madeline@postcardcomm.com.
ABOUT DEERHAMMER DISTILLING
Steeped in Tradition. Crafted in Colorado.
Amy and Lenny Eckstein founded Deerhammer in 2010. Drawn to Buena Vista, Colorado by the whitewater currents of the Arkansas River, their passion for whiskey is driven by that same adventurous spirit. As artisans and business owners, Amy and Lenny’s process is defined by a deep curiosity for the history of spirits and a thoughtful analysis of each individual step of the distilling process. Deerhammer's cornerstone contribution to the field of American craft spirits, Single Malt Whiskey, has become the company's flagship product. Deerhammer also distills Whitewater Whiskey, Buena Vista Brandy, and Dutch Style Gin. Find the distillery online at deerhammer.com.
ABOUT THE GOOD FOOD AWARDS
The Good Food Awards (GFA) celebrate exceptional American craft food and drink producers who create distinctive, handcrafted, and sustainable products. The GFA brings together thought leaders from every sector of the food industry to choose the most delicious products from all regions of the country in a blind tasting. Products are evaluated by region, allowing the GFA to showcase the rich variety of terroirs of the nation’s food culture, elevating craft producers with the ultimate aim of stimulating local food economies. After the tasting, high-scoring producers are closely vetted for compliance with GFA requirements for sustainable production practices. Winners and runners-up are evaluated by the Good Food Foundation and announced each January at the Awards Ceremony. Learn more at goodfoodawards.org.
Deerhammer American Single Malt Whiskey is a 2018 Good Food Awards Finalist
Deerhammer American Single Malt is among 279 other finalists for the 2018 awards, Finalists were chosen from 2,057 entries.
BUENA VISTA, CO — Deerhammer American Single Malt Whiskey was named a finalist in the spirits category of the 2018 Good Food Awards!
In its eighth year, Good Food Awards are given to tasty, authentic and responsible food producers in 15 categories: spirits, beer, cider, charcuterie, cheese, chocolate, coffee, confections, preserved fish, honey, oils pantry, pickles, preserves, and elixirs. Deerhammer American Single Malt is one of 279 finalists for the 2018 awards, which include 15 other spirits category finalists and seven other finalists across categories originating from the state of Colorado. Finalists were chosen from a pool of 2,057 entries.
Spirits that meet the criteria for Good Food Awards entry can trace all of their ingredients, from base distillate to added ingredients, without the use of genetically modified crops and without artificial additives.
Beginning its life as porter-style malted barley whiskey, Deerhammer's American Single Malt is shaped by open-air fermentation and double distillation through direct-fire copper pot stills. It is aged in charred virgin white oak casks for at least two years in Buena Vista's high alpine climate that maximizes the flavor potential of the mash, due to dramatic temperature shifts that can range from 40-80° in a single day. The result is a complex whiskey with notes of sweet coffee, cacao, caramel and spices.
The winners of the 2018 Good Food Awards will be announced on January 19, 2018.
For more information about Deerhammer contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com. For more information about the Good Food Awards, contact Madeline Wheeler at madeline@postcardcomm.com.
ABOUT DEERHAMMER DISTILLING
Steeped in Tradition. Crafted in Colorado.
Amy and Lenny Eckstein founded Deerhammer in 2010. Drawn to Buena Vista, Colorado by the whitewater currents of the Arkansas River, their passion for whiskey is driven by that same adventurous spirit. As artisans and business owners, Amy and Lenny’s process is defined by a deep curiosity for the history of spirits and a thoughtful analysis of each individual step of the distilling process. Deerhammer's cornerstone contribution to the field of American craft spirits, Single Malt Whiskey, has become the company's flagship product. Deerhammer also distills Whitewater Whiskey, Buena Vista Brandy, and Dutch Style Gin. Find the distillery online at deerhammer.com.
ABOUT THE GOOD FOOD AWARDS
The Good Food Awards (GFA) celebrate exceptional American craft food and drink producers who create distinctive, handcrafted, and sustainable products. The GFA brings together thought leaders from every sector of the food industry to choose the most delicious products from all regions of the country in a blind tasting. Products are evaluated by region, allowing the GFA to showcase the rich variety of terroirs of the nation’s food culture, elevating craft producers with the ultimate aim of stimulating local food economies. After the tasting, high-scoring producers are closely vetted for compliance with GFA requirements for sustainable production practices. Winners and runners-up are evaluated by the Good Food Foundation and announced each January at the Awards Ceremony. Learn more at goodfoodawards.org.
Deerhammer Distilling Produces Record Numbers, Announces Progeny Series
BUENA VISTA, CO — Last year, Deerhammer Distilling produced more handcrafted spirits than ever before and experienced record growth in sales, which are up by 262 percent statewide, among other milestones.
Here is Deerhammer Distilling’s 2016 Year In Review
In 2016, Deerhammer distilled 6,217 gallons of whiskey. The majority of this volume represents the distillery’s flagship product Single Malt Whiskey. Deerhammer only distributes its spirits in the state of Colorado.
Last year Deerhammer reinvigorated its package with new glass bottles that have a traditional whiskey shape with sleek curvature. The new label designs are cleaner and bolder, with incorporated visual elements that commemorate why Deerhammer crafts whiskey in Buena Vista— including compass points on each corner to highlight the distillery’s rugged mountain surroundings. Also included in the new design is a small illustration of nearby Mount Princeton, river waves, wind, and diamond trailhead markers. The new labels were designed by Tim Praetzel out of Austin, Texas.
Looking Ahead
Next month at the Colorado Brewers Guild’s Collaboration Fest, Locavore Beer Works and Aquanaut Brewing will serve a beer that was aged in Deerhammer Single Malt Whiskey barrels. Look for more details about this beer on Deerhammer’s Facebook page.
Next for Deerhammer is the roll out of the Progeny Series, a lineup of small-batch spirits created through inspired partnerships with other crafters in Colorado, including a whiskey and chocolate pairing with Cultura Chocolate, and other collaborations with Wit’s End Brewing Company, Call To Arms Brewing, Crooked Stave, and Colorado Cider Company.
For more information about Deerhammer Distilling, or with any other media inquiries, feel free to contact RadCraft at coop@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT DEERHAMMER DISTILLING
Steeped in Tradition. Crafted in Colorado.
Amy and Lenny Eckstein founded Deerhammer in 2010. Drawn to Buena Vista, Colorado by the whitewater currents of the Arkansas River, their passion for whiskey is driven by that same adventurous spirit. As artisans and business owners, Amy and Lenny’s process is defined by a deep curiosity for the history of spirits and a thoughtful analysis of each individual step of the distilling process. Deerhammer's cornerstone contribution to the field of American craft spirits, Single Malt Whiskey, has become the company's flagship product. Deerhammer also distills Whitewater Whiskey, Buena Vista Brandy, and Dutch Style Gin. Find the distillery online at deerhammer.com.