Snitching Lady Distillery

About the Distillery

Snitching Lady Distillery is a family-owned microdistillery in Fairplay, Colorado — a corner of the Rocky Mountains where small batches and old family recipes meet. The distillery combines local grains and fruits with double copper pot distillation and Rocky Mountain snowmelt to make whiskey, bourbon, brandy, and rum, which are also served in an atmospheric tasting room in the heart of town.

History

The story traces from the Carolina hills to Colorado. A family recipe, said to have been hidden for generations, followed the Williams family westward and lay dormant until the family established Snitching Lady Distillery in Fairplay in 2018. The idea was to recreate the old craft tradition in a new setting; with help from three generations, the old proportions and techniques were translated into small-batch production high in the Rocky Mountains. Since its founding, the distillery has established itself as a local hub with a tasting room, events, and accolades, including an international prize for their blue corn whiskey and local titles for bar and happy hour.

Raw Materials and Production

The raw materials are local: grain, blue corn, and fruit sit side by side in the lineup. Distillation takes place in copper pot stills with a double distillation process. For bourbon, sour mash technique is used. The water for the process comes from Rocky Mountain snowmelt, and the entire production is done in-house in small batches. The day-to-day operation includes distilling grain-based spirits and fruit-based brandies, as well as ongoing use of the family's recipes and small-scale experiments in production.

Maturation and Barrel Types

The distillery's whiskies and sour mash bourbon are described as aged exclusively in Carolina Oak. The story also notes that maturation takes place at high altitude, highlighted as part of their profile. There are no details about using former sherry or port wine casks or exact finish programs.

Whiskies

The range includes whiskey in several expressions (including a blue corn variant), sour mash bourbon, as well as brandy and rum based on local ingredients. One of the most prominent bottles is Button's Blue Corn Whiskey, which won an award at the World Whiskies Awards. The range is primarily presented through the tasting room's fixed lineup of flights, bottle sales, and bar cocktails that showcase the distillery's own spirits in blends.

The Whiskies' Style and Flavor Profile

Across the mentioned products, three character traits recur: grain and maize character (blue corn), sour mash-related fermentation aroma, and a fruit perspective from distillates based on local fruits. References and cocktail use emphasize an expression grounded in the grain's body, fermentation nuances, and fruitiness in the fruit-based spirits.

Visit the Distillery

The tasting room is located on Front Street in historic Fairplay and is open daily. Visitors can choose flights, cocktails and participate in evening events with live music or trivia. The venue has a dog-friendly patio, local beers and wine by the glass, and bartenders serve the house spirits in both classic and seasonal cocktails. The address is 500 Front Street, Fairplay, CO 80440; the venue is described as a natural gathering spot in town with a warm, rustic atmosphere.

The stated hours are Open daily.

Philosophy and Craft

The distillery's values are based on family recipes, small-scale craftsmanship, and slow production. The motto and family quotes emphasize making spirits slowly, in small batches, according to old recipes and with care: "Anything worth making is worth making slow, in small batches, with people you'd trust to keep a secret." In-house production and local sourcing are also prioritized ('No Grist No Glory').

Awards and Recognitions

• Best American Corn (Button's Blue Corn Whiskey)

• Best Bar in Park County (2023)

• Best Happy Hour (2022)