Our Flagship Ship Whiskey January 2026 #56 – Night 1 Summary
Our first night’s journey took us across America’s craft whiskey landscape — from the high plains of Colorado to the mountain town of Salida, from the gritty heart of St. Louis to the disciplined grain‑to‑glass precision of Wisconsin.
We were joined by four extraordinary makers:
Al Laws, LAWS Whiskey House — Denver, CO
Lee Wood, Wood’s High Mountain Distillery — Salida, CO
David Weglarz, StilL 630 — St. Louis, MO
Jacki Montpetit, 45th Parallel Distillery — New Richmond, WI
LAWS Whiskey House, Denver, CO
Al discussed LAWS Whiskey House's approach to crafting bourbon, emphasizing their focus on new consumers while maintaining quality and education. He explained their unique aging process influenced by Colorado's climate and their innovative use of a Solera process for cognac finishing. Al explained the distillery's equipment, fermentation methods, and the balance between innovation and tradition. Al expressed his commitment to quality and patience in whiskey making, stating they "die on full-size barrels" and reject shortcuts.
Wood’s High Mountain Distillery, Salida, CO
Lee shared the story of Woods High Mountain Distillery, founded in 2012 by him and his brother PT, who handles production in Salida while Lee manages other aspects from Boulder. The distillery uses a 140-year-old still and specializes in American single malt whiskey, with their current offerings including a traditional malt rye and a unique 55% malt barley with 45% cherry and smoked malt blend. Lee explained their innovative approach to aging whiskey in Colorado's unique climate, noting that 4-6 years is optimal for maturation, and they are exploring aging in used oak, which has produced promising results.
StilL 630, St. Louis, MO
David shared the challenges of establishing StilL 630 in St. Louis, highlighting bootstrapping, limited funding, and the constraints of their Hardee's building location. He described the indomitable spirit of the distillery as a reflection of American resilience and the importance of never giving up, while also discussing Missouri's rich whiskey-making heritage and the use of local water in their bourbon production. David discussed his distillery's experimental program, which led to the development of a new 5-grain bourbon. He explained the mash bill composition and the decision to release it as 12 different single barrels, each commemorating a significant moment in American history for the 250th Anniversary.
45th Parallel Distillery, New Richmond, WI
Jackie from 45th Parallel Distillery shared insights into their production process, highlighting the importance of local partnerships and the use of whole grains, while also explaining the decision to locate in Wisconsin due to more favorable liquor laws. Jackie discussed the naming and production process of 45th Parallel's Richmond Rye Whiskey, emphasizing their focus on capturing local elements and the unique temperature variations in their region. She explained their small-batch production method, which involves aging bourbon for 5-6 years and bottling 3-5 barrels at a time. Jackie also highlighted the expertise of their Scottish distiller, Bob, and debunked the myth that women know less about or like whiskey less than men, while acknowledging the proven fact that women generally have better palates for whiskey.
After spending time with these four distilleries, one thing becomes clear: American whiskey isn’t defined by a single region, mash bill, or tradition. It’s defined by people who care deeply about grain, place, process, and the stories they’re putting into the world.
Together, they paint a picture of American craft whiskey that’s diverse, determined, and undeniably alive.
Until next time, keep exploring, keep tasting, and keep celebrating the people who pour their passion into every bottle.
You can view these interviews on the Our Flagship Whiskey YouTube Channel.
