Wooden’s Excessive Mountain Distillery: Looking For Signature Flavors

Wooden’s Excessive Mountain co-founder P.T. Wooden (pictured) is most interested by making experimental whiskeys at his distillery. (Photograph by Jared Leeds 2019)

P.T. Wooden and his brother Lee opened Wooden’s Excessive Mountain Distillery in 2012 with an 1880 German pot nonetheless named Ashley on the coronary heart of their manufacturing. In the present day, Ashley remains to be cranking, although she’s principally producing gin and an occasional restricted launch whiskey. Wooden’s Excessive Mountain is now working with a 1,500-liter stripping nonetheless and a 1,500-liter end nonetheless producing Sawatch American malt, Tenderfoot American malt, Alpine rye, Daybreak Patrol single malt, and restricted releases.

Essentially the most conventional Wooden’s whiskey is Daybreak Patrol, however the remaining are a bit “on the market,” says P.T. “We strive to not imitate anyone…let’s put our personal signature on this.” They use principally malted rye, but additionally chocolate malt and cherrywood-smoked malted barley—specialty malts which can be extra extensively utilized by brewers than distillers. “However they bring about superb flavors you may’t actually construct by way of the growing old and barrel extraction course of,” P.T. maintains. 

Drink this: Wooden’s 2 yr previous Alpine Rye (Batch 16)
91 factors, 49% ABV, $55
Cinnamon, burnt espresso beans, alluring smoky bitterness, jalapeño, smoked chiles, and black pepper

Eat right here: The Fritz
From small plates to consolation meals, The Fritz has you lined, with a collection of whiskies that spans all classes and nice whisky cocktails. Attempt A Excellent Pearing: Rittenhouse rye, Poire Williams eau de vie, 477 Distilling espresso liqueur, and pear garnish.

Keep right here: Manhattan Resort
This boutique lodge, utterly renovated in 2019, is situated on the banks of the Arkansas River and inside strolling distance to the distillery and downtown. 

Take a aspect journey: Raft the Arkansas River
Discover the Arkansas River with domestically owned and operated Salida River Adventures, which gives whitewater rafting journeys from excessive to scenic. For a mellow float with unbelievable views, strive the half-day Salida City Run.