Axe and the Oak Distillery
Overview of the Distillery
Axe and the Oak Distillery in Colorado Springs makes handcrafted Colorado whiskey with local grains and Rocky Mountain water. The distillery is known for its Flagships lineup of bourbon and rye and for experiments such as barrel-aged gin and cask-strength releases. Alongside production, they operate Axe and the Oak Whiskey House, a gathering place with live music, cocktails, and bottle sales.
History
Establishment and Local Community
Axe and the Oak Distillery stems from a story of lifelong friends with a shared passion for whiskey and music. The distillery is described as one of Colorado Springs' first whiskey distilleries and has established the Whiskey House as a gathering place with live music, cocktails, and local hospitality, located in Ivywild School about a mile south of downtown.
Raw Materials and Production
The production relies on local Colorado grains and fresh water from the Rocky Mountains. The range includes both bourbon and rye, and the distillery works with blending and direct bottlings at cask strength. In addition to whiskey, there are experiments with barrel-aging gin, illustrating a broad approach to wood maturation beyond traditional whiskey types.
Aging and Cask Types
The distillery uses used 53-gallon whiskey barrels in its aging process and has examples of barrel-aged gin as well as cask-strength bourbon in its portfolio. These elements illustrate that they work with both aging non-whiskey spirits in barrels and direct bottlings from the barrel.
Whiskies
The core of the portfolio is grouped under Flagships and includes Colorado Mountain Bourbon Whiskey, Incline (Rye) Whiskey, and First Stake Cask Strength Bourbon. In addition to whiskey, the distillery sells gin variants and offers merchandise and gift cards through its shop and Whiskey House.
| Whisky | Type / Series | Flavor Profile | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Mountain Bourbon Whiskey | Bourbon; Flagships | Flagship bourbon in the distillery's Colorado lineup. | Core range |
| Colorado Mountain Incline Rye Whiskey | Rye Whiskey; Flagships | Incline Rye is listed as part of the distillery's core range under Flagships. | Core range |
| First Stake Cask Strength Bourbon | Bourbon; Flagships | Cask-strength edition listed among the Flagships. | Core range |
Visit the Distillery
The distillery welcomes visitors and offers bottle pickup Monday–Thursday from 09:00 to 16:00. The Whiskey House is located in Ivywild School about a mile south of downtown and offers weekend live music, craft cocktails, and the ability to book events, making it a lively local gathering spot.
The stated opening hours are Distillery: bottle pickup Monday–Thursday 09:00–16:00. Whiskey House: weekend live music; located in Ivywild School about a mile south of downtown.
Philosophy and Craft
Axe and the Oak emphasizes community and sharing — "Made to be Shared" — and combines the use of local ingredients and Rocky Mountain water with operating a whiskey house, where music and hospitality are central values.