Ballmer Peak Distillery

Overview of the Distillery

Ballmer Peak Distillery is a small, sustainability-oriented distillery and tasting room on Green Mountain in Lakewood, Colorado. As a nano-distillery, they produce small batches of rum, gin, vodka, and a light whiskey, all created with an experimental touch and globally inspired botanicals. The tasting room combines mid-century and tiki design and offers handmade cocktails as well as bottle sales, making the place both convenient and intriguing for visitors in the Denver area.

History

The story began with a whiskey-driven conversation in 2014 between friends Austin Adamson and Eric Strom. The idea grew over time, and in November 2019 Ballmer Peak Distillery was formally founded. They opened in late 2019 as a nano-distillery with a cozy tasting room near Green Mountain. During the COVID-19 pandemic the company temporarily shifted focus to producing hand sanitizer and donated sanitizer for free in the local community. In 2020 they expanded their fixed range with products such as vodka made from molasses, as well as their Australian-inspired gin, Silver, Golden and Spiced Rum, and a Light Whiskey. Since opening they have continued with seasonal micro-batches and experiments, and a barrel program was established with rum, brandy, and whiskey finishes aged until ready for release.

Raw materials and Production

Ballmer Peak operates on a nano-scale, prioritizing small batches and ongoing experiments. The rum bases and vodka use molasses as their fermentation base, while their Light Whiskey is made from 100% malted barley, including Colorado-grown Crystal and Munich malts. To add smoky notes they use Scottish peated malt in the whiskey. In terms of distillation they often use pot distillation (several products are twice-pot-distilled). Australian Style Gin undergoes an extra third distillation with Australian botanicals such as eucalyptus, finger lime, and lemon myrtle. The vodka is refined through a six-column still after a twice-pot-distilled molasses fermentation. Spiced Rum is distilled in an additional pass through a basket of spices such as Sichuan pepper, cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, and mace. The combination of these methods and ongoing micro-batch experiments is central to their product development.

Aging and Barrel Types

The aging strategy ranges from minimal rest for unaged/light whiskeys to active barrel use in rum and upcoming spirit releases. The Light Whiskey is rested in oak for the shortest legally allowed period, leaving it clear in color but with malt- and smoke-notes. Golden Rum is rested with new, charred oak to impart vanilla and wood notes. The distillery mentions a broader barrel program with rums, brandies, and whiskies in different oak barrels, and experiments such as the use of charred aspen cuttings (previously soaked with Locke + Co rye whiskey) are part of the development of variants such as Outback Aspen Gin.

Whiskies

The range is broad for a nano-distillery: several rums (Silver, Golden, Spiced), two gin varieties (Australian Style Gin and Outback Aspen Gin), a vodka, and a Light Whiskey. The products present both classic bases — such as a pure, pot-distilled Silver Rum — and experimental approaches, e.g., a gin aged or aromatized with aspen cuttings from a Locke + Co collaboration. Spiced Rum and some gin variants have also earned awards in competitions. The range is designed to be enjoyed neat as well as in cocktails in the tasting room.

Whiskies' Style and Flavor Profile

Ballmer Peak's line features several clear flavor directions. The rums draw on tropical and fruity aromas (Silver Rum) and more woody and vanilla notes through the use of new charred oak (Golden Rum). The gins highlight citrus and floral elements with Australian botanicals; the Outback Aspen variant also has peppery and robust notes from the Aspen additions. Light Whiskey balances malt sweetness and dark chocolate with a light earthy smoke from peated malt. Spices play a central role in Spiced Rum via Sichuan pepper, cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, and mace.

Visit the Distillery

The tasting room is open seven days a week and located at Green Mountain in Lakewood. The décor combines mid-century and tiki aesthetics, and handmade cocktails made from the distillery's own spirits are served. Visitors can sit at the bar, taste cocktails, buy bottles to take home, and participate in events; the distillery maintains a list of local bars, restaurants and shops that sell the products. For contact and details, you can call or write to the distillery.

The stated opening hours are Open seven days a week (tasting room).

Philosophy and Craft

Ballmer Peak is built on a sustainability-oriented approach rooted in the founders' experiences in desert regions, reflecting a focus on water conservation. Craftsmanship, small-batch experiments, and collaborations with other players such as Locke & Co are part of the strategy and product development. During the pandemic, they prioritized community engagement by producing and donating hand sanitizer, which also demonstrates their practical approach to partnerships and local responsibility.

Sustainability

The distillery has an explicit sustainability and water-saving approach due to the founders' experience in desert regions.
During the pandemic they prioritized converting to hand sanitizer and donated sanitizer for free to the local community.

Awards and Recognitions

• Silver (2022, Silver)

• Silver (2022, Silver)

• Silver (2022, Silver)

• Silver (2021, Silver)