Branch & Barrel’s Colorado-Made Bourbons Score Gold and Double Gold at Denver International Spirits Competition

Branch & Barrel Distilling just scored two medals for its Colorado-made bourbon at the Denver International Spirits Competition, adding to a growing list of international accolades. Scoring 96 points, Branch & Barrel’s Wheated Bourbon earned Double Gold designation, and its High Rye Bourbon earned a Gold medal at 91 points at the prestigious spirits competition this month.

Based in Centennial, Branch & Barrel is an independent distillery shaped by Colorado in all aspects, distilling with ingredients and techniques influenced and inspired by the Square State’s land, climate, agriculture, and people. As Colorado spirits continue to make national headlines, Branch & Barrel’s bourbons push the boundaries of Colorado-made quality.

With balanced flavors of milk chocolate, honeyed red berries, cashew and caramel cream, and notes of marshmallow reminiscent of banana brûlée, Branch & Barrel’s Wheated Bourbon is a three-grain whiskey crafted with all-Colorado grain and water.

In addition to this year’s Denver International Spirits Competition, this sensory delight also placed Gold at the 2025 London International Spirits Competition, ranking as the world’s second-best-scoring bourbon. Other recent accolades for this fan-favorite include: Double Gold at the 2024 International Wine and Spirits Competition; Double Gold at the 2024 America’s Best Spirits Competition, where it was dubbed the “Best Wheated Bourbon of the Rockies”; and Gold at the 2025 Bartender Spirits Awards.

Branch & Barrel’s High Rye Bourbon is a soft-drinking, approachable three-grain rye whiskey made with Colorado-sourced San Luis Valley Rye. This limited release has been aged in oak barrels for five years for a beautifully developed flavor palette that includes notes of spiced walnut, lemongrass, cocktail cherry, and lemon custard.

“We got our start aging spirits on branches during our experimental days in the late 2000s. By the time we opened our distillery in 2016, we had moved on to using barrels, but even today, our mindset hasn't changed. We still honor an authentic and hands-on approach as we’ve grown,” said Mitchell Nester, Branch & Barrel’s Master Blender. “We focus on designing equipment and processes intentionally, leaning into the Colorado environment.”

As Colorado continues to carve out a unique position in the national whiskey category, with a high elevation and dry climate that influence barrel maturation differently than traditional American whiskey regions, Branch & Barrel’s lineup of award-winning bourbons showcases the authenticity of the region’s quality and craft.

Ask for bottles of Branch & Barrel at craft spirits retailers across Colorado, or visit the Tasting Room in Centennial to experience it in person.

About Branch & Barrel

Branch & Barrel Distilling exists to make the perfect Colorado bourbon. The Centennial, Colorado-based distillery grew out of land ownership, water rights, long-standing grain relationships, and families who have been in the state for generations. Branch & Barrel started experimental and small in the late 2000s, aging spirits on branches, before opening the distillery in 2016. Today, the distillery is crafting award-winning bourbons in barrels with the same authentic and hands-on approach. With Colorado-sourced ingredients and an intentional distilling process, Branch & Barrel has built bourbon around Colorado, leaning into the elevation and climate to help uniquely shape bourbon to perfection. To learn more about Branch & Barrel, find a bottle, or visit the Tasting Room in Centennial, check out babdistilling.com.