Syntax Spirits

Short Overview of the Distillery

Syntax Spirits is located in historic Greeley, Colorado, and is a grain-to-glass distillery that since 2010 has been making small-batch spirits using local ingredients and pure Poudre River whitewater. The distillery produces bourbon, whiskey, rum, vodka and gin in handmade stills and combines a technical, engineering-focused approach with local ingredients and sustainable practices.

History

Syntax opened in 2010 and was among the early craft distilleries in Colorado. From the start, they chose a consistent grain-to-glass production; all grain is milled, mashed, fermented and distilled on site in the company’s handmade stills. Over a few years, the distillery established itself through competition performances and local presence, and in the mid-2010s Syntax began to harvest medals at both national and international competitions. Owner and head distiller Heather Bean is clearly involved in the production, and the company emphasizes a strong focus on craftsmanship, local sourcing and technical discipline in its production.

Raw Materials and Production

Production centers on the grain-to-glass principle: locally grown corn (maize), wheat and barley are purchased from farmers within about 100 miles, milled and used for both bourbon and whiskey. Vodka is produced 100% from locally grown wheat, which is milled, mashed, fermented and distilled in handmade column stills, and finally polished with charcoal filtration. Rum is made from American dark cane molasses blended with Rocky Mountain whitewater, distilled in column stills and some batches aged in whiskey casks. The distillery’s equipment is described as handmade pot and column stills, and it emphasizes that they never use neutral grain spirits or blending bases from other producers.

Maturation and Barrel Types

Many of Syntax’s aged products use full-size 53-gallon oak whiskey barrels. The bourbon is aged in these full-size barrels for at least two years, and the distillery also works with finishes in wine barrels for special editions such as Wine Barrel Finished Bourbon. Heavy Rum is noted as aged in a whiskey barrel and subsequently given a touch of dark molasses as a finishing touch. These choices of barrel and finish methods are central to the aging effect sought in the products.

Whiskies

The whisky portfolio includes a Straight Bourbon Whiskey, a Wine Barrel Finished Bourbon, Wellhead Whisky, as well as more niche or distillery-exclusive releases such as Big Cat White Whisky and the Smoky Single Malt (formerly DragonSlayer). The bourbon and several of the aged products are part of the core lineup, while several special releases and white whisky or single malt expressions are often limited to on-site sales.

Whisky	Type / Series	Age	Barrel and Style	Flavor Profile	Status
Straight Bourbon Whiskey	Bourbon	At least 2 years	Full-size 53 gallon whiskey barrels	A Colorado craft bourbon made grain-to-glass from locally grown grain and Poudre River whitewater, aged at least two years in full-size barrels. Nose: Aromas documented in tasting notes include caramelized nuts, apricot granola, waxy honeycomb and candy corn. Taste: Described with fruity elements, peppery spice, dried fruits and grainy notes. Finish: Hints of minerals and spice in the finish according to the product description.	Current; Core range
Wine Barrel Finished Bourbon	Bourbon (finished in wine barrels)		Wine barrels (finish); finish: Finished in wine barrels	A bourbon that has undergone finish in wine barrels for extra complexity.	Current
Wellhead Whisky			Full-size 53 gallon oak barrels	A locally crafted tribute whisky made from locally grown grain and Poudre River whitewater and aged in full-size barrels.	Current
Big Cat White Whisky	White whisky			A white whisky, touted as available only at the distillery.	Limited; Available at distillery only
Smoky Single Malt Whiskey (was DragonSlayer)	Single malt (smoky)			A smoky single malt, formerly known as DragonSlayer, described as available only at the distillery.	Limited; Available at distillery only

Styles and Flavor Profiles of the Whiskies

Taken together, the product texts point to three throughlines: fruity, dried-fruit notes (especially in bourbon), sweet-grain malt and caramel/vanilla notes from barrel aging (documented in both bourbon and aged rum) as well as spicy notes such as peppery spice. In addition, the Rose Gin portfolio brings floral and citrusy botanical elements into the house style, supporting a profile where sweetness, fruit and spice are present simultaneously.

Visit the Distillery

The distillery has an open cocktail bar and tasting room in Greeley with regular weekday hours. Tasting room hours are: Tue/Thu 3–7 pm, Fri 3–9 pm, Sat 2–9 pm and Sun 2–5 pm; Monday and Tuesday are closed. Tours are offered by appointment only, and one must text to confirm availability. The distillery sells bottles, barware and a selection of merchandise, and has an espresso bar as well as grilled sandwiches for guests.

The stated hours are Mon/Tue: Closed. Wed/Thu: 3–7 pm. Fri: 3–9 pm. Sat: 2–9 pm. Sun: 2–5 pm.

Philosophy and Craft

Syntax prioritizes authentic grain-to-glass craftsmanship: everything is produced from the raw material on site, without the use of neutral grain spirits. The company emphasizes local sourcing (grain within 100 miles), reduced environmental impact through water conservation and reuse, and collaboration with local farmers on the handling of spent grain. The production is led by an owner with an engineering background and a predominantly female production team.

Sustainability

Minimizing water use.
Re-use of bottles and packaging.
Delivery of spent grain to local farmers.

Awards and Recognitions

American Craft Distiller of the Year Runner-Up (2015, Runner-Up)
Gold Medal (Bourbon) (2020, Gold Medal, Syntax Spirits Straight Bourbon)
Gold Medal and 3rd Best Overall Whiskey in the World (2016, Gold Medal; 3rd Best Overall, Wine Barrel Finished Bourbon)
Silver Medal (Wellhead Whisky) (2020, Silver Medal, Wellhead Whisky)
Silver Medal (Bourbon) (2017, Silver Medal, Syntax Spirits Straight Bourbon)