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Branch & Barrel Distilling received a Double Gold medal for its Wheated Bourbon and a Gold medal for its High Rye Bourbon at the Denver International Spirits Competition. The Wheated Bourbon scored 96 points and the High Rye Bourbon scored 91 points. The company is based in Centennial, Colorado, and both bourbons are made with all-Colorado ingredients. The Wheated Bourbon also won Gold at the 2025 London International Spirits Competition.
Branch & Barrel Distilling recently captured two gold medals at the Denver International Spirits Competition, earning a Double Gold for its Wheated Bourbon (96 points) and a Gold for its High‑Rye Bourbon (91 points). This achievement highlights how a Colorado‑based craft distillery can compete with Kentucky’s legacy houses.
The competition held this month drew over 700 spirits in total, with only a handful awarded Double Gold. Branch & Barrel’s score of 96 places it among the top tier of entrants and lends credibility that can translate into premium pricing or exclusive shelf placement for retailers looking to differentiate on terroir.
Branch & Barrel sources all grain in Colorado, draws water from Eldorado Springs, and ages its bourbon at high elevation. Higher altitude may increase evaporation; the distillery reports an annual “angel’s share” of 8–12%, compared with Kentucky’s typical 4–6%. This difference can affect flavor concentration over time.
However, distribution limits the upside. Branch & Barrel’s spirits are currently sold only through craft retailers across Colorado and at its tasting room; no wholesale channel has been opened yet. Bars or restaurants outside Colorado cannot order unless a national distributor partnership is established later. Retailers in Colorado can package the brand as a local luxury item, leveraging the double‑gold status to highlight “Made Here” and award pedigree.
The company’s focus on its flagship bourbon—about 90 % of production—is supported by over 35 awards since 2019. In the U.S., craft bourbons aged five years or more average a retail price of $78, while Branch & Barrel offers its offerings at about $60. This pricing advantage, coupled with top‑tier accolades, can appeal to value‑conscious consumers who still seek an elevated experience.
In practice, distributors and retailers should watch for a national wholesale partner before adding shelf space outside Colorado. In Colorado markets, positioning the brand as an exclusive local premium will help operators harness prestige while respecting current distribution constraints.
Original Press Release
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.
Sources consulted (web research):
- Branch Barrel Wins Double Gold At Denver Spirits Competition
- Distilleries
- Branch And Barrel Distillery 15252885
- Branch And Barrel Distilling Takes Creative Path To Success
- Babdistilling site
- Colorado Distilleries Awarded In International Contests 24517039
- Talnua Distillery Arvada Americas Greatest Whiskey Competition
Source: BevNET