- Location: Montanya Distillers, LLC P.O. Box 3086, Crested Butte, CO 81224
- Phone: 970-799-3206
- Website: http://www.montanyarum.com
History of the Montanya Distillers
Founded in 2008 by Brice and Karen Hoskin in Silverton, Colorado, Montanya Distillers has its origins on Blair Street in a building that was 100 years old. At the time, the process was complex and it demanded a lot of pumping and lifting of the distilled spirits. The fermentation was performed in the basement, the testing was done on the first level, and the bottling & aging occurred on the top floor. The Hoskins decided to relocate their Montanya Distillery to Crested Butte in 2011 when their business went through a rapid growth. The brand new location on Elk Avenue in Historic Downtown Crested Butte managed to give them what Silverton couldn’t, namely commercial recognition. The climate and the response of the people also contributed to the development of the distillery.
The distilling process of the Montanya rum
The process of distilled rum is based on both science and art. The rum is made of sugar cane and the company imports the sugar from Hawaii. Mixed with spring water brought from the mountains and yeast, the product must ferment for at least a week. When there’s no sugar left and the beverage only contains water the fermented wash goes straight into the Montanya copper pot where it will be heat up. Probably the most challenging part of the rum making process is the composition of the fermented wash. 130 Elk Avenue in Crested Butte is the current location of the Montanya Distillers and the rum is aged for nearly 1 year in American oak barrels. The distillery is 100% committed to the whole distilling process. They’re not willing to sacrifice the quality of the rum just to speed up the process, however in special situations a barrel can mature more quickly. Montanya Distillers are monitoring the rum on a daily basis and every bottle has its own number. They now have distribution of Montanya Rums in 37 states, and anticipate being available in all 50 states by the end of 2013.
Montanya Distillers Distinctions & Awards
In 2009 at the International Review of Spirits Beverage Testing Institute in Chicago, Illinois, Montanya Distillers received the silver medal. The Montanya Platino is a crisp, light rum aged to maturity in coconut-husk charcoal, American Oak and mixed with mountain spring water from San Juan. In 2010 the distillery received 2 Gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competitions and the Rum XP Competition in Miami. Made from pure spring water from the Colorado, the platino and oro rums that belong to Montanya Distillers contain Hawaiian sugar cane. The spirit contains 4 main ingredients, no coloring and additives, and the entire process is 100% natural, unprocessed and unrefined. The makers of the Montanya rum control obsessively each and every stage of the in-house process starting from fermentation to distilling from scratch. Montanya Distillers is not just a distillery; it is also a perfect venue for events and gatherings as well. Fundraisers, birthday parties, business meetings, and weddings, are just some of the events organized at Montanya Distillers. On special occasions live music concerts and theme parties are being organized in order to bring people together and let them know more about Montanya Distillers. This is another ingredient of Crested Butte that makes it a unique mountain town. Come explore all there is to see and do in Crested Butte, and when you are looking to find that perfect mountain property for you and your family – call me to help you. Chris Kopf, Broker Associate Coldwell Banker Bighorn Realty (970) 209-5405
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