10th Mountain Whiskey celebrates 10 years with new collaborations
Vail Valley spirits maker taps renowned master distiller Rob Dietrich of Metallica’s Blackened label for anniversary collaborations
10th Mountain Whiskey and Spirits Company/Courtesy photo
To celebrate 10 years of 10th Mountain Whiskey and Spirit Company, the local distillery has created a unique collection of bourbon, rye, and single malt whiskey. Ryan Thompson, founder and president of 10th Mountain Whiskey, remembers when it all began.
“We were watching what the craft distillery industry was doing and where they were heading and thought the Vail Valley needed its own craft distillery,” Thompson said. “We also respected the 10th Mountain Division’s impact on the area and ski industry overall so we thought starting a distillery in honor of the division would be something we could use as a platform to support the military and, as they say, the rest is history.”
From the start, Thompson said they wanted to be known for their whiskeys, but also wanted the flexibility to make other spirits like their vodka, cordial and brandy. Whatever the spirit, the team at 10th Mountain Whiskey was always focused on crafting a high-quality product.
In the past decade, 10th Mountain Whiskey has expanded its reach from Maine to California and is always working on distributing to more locations. After a few tasting room venues, 10th Mountain Whiskey calls Bridge Street and the Gore Creek home while its distillery has a spacious location in Gypsum. Throughout the years, the distillery has given back to several veterans organizations including the Vail Veterans Program, Homes for our Troops and Heroes and Horses. There have also been events with the Colorado Snowsports Museum and donatitions to local nonprofits yearly.
10th Mountain Whiskey collaborated with Vail Mountain in 2022 and created the 60th Anniversary Limited Edition rye and bourbon whiskeys. To honor its anniversary, 10th Mountain Whiskey reached out to master distiller, Rob Dietrich, who got his start under the guidance of legendary distiller Jess Graber, co-founder of Stranahan’s Whiskey in Denver. Dietrich had made quite a name for himself with creations like Stranahan’s Snowflake and Sherry Cask and collaborations with Willett Distillery, Angel’s Envy and Rabbit Hole Distillery in Kentucky.
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Dietrich remembers learning about 10th Mountain Whiskey 10 years ago when it was just starting. He was at a whiskey event in Vail and 10th Mountain Whiskey was there as well, and Dietrich was interested in the name since he was in the 10th Mountain Division and served from 1992 to 1995 and did two tours in Somalia and relief operations in Haiti.
“It was really an honor for me when Ryan reached out and he said, ‘We’ve been following your career since your Stranahan’s stage and we really love what you’ve been doing, and we respect your history with the 10th Mountain Division as a veteran. We would love it if you would be able to do a collaboration with us,’ and I was completely honored and humbled by it,” Dietrich said.
Dietrich worked with the 10th Mountain Whiskey team to come up with the bourbon, rye, and single malt Whiskey releases which will be available starting this weekend at the distillery for the 10th anniversary party in Gypsum. Dietrich, who lives in Denver, won’t be able to attend because he will be in Kentucky for a whiskey and cigars event.
“I’m very bummed because I would have loved to have been up there. But I’ll be there in spirit. Spirit and spirits,” Dietrich said.
Dietrich is in high demand these days and is now part of Blackened, Metallica’s whiskey brand, and his portfolio includes acclaimed spirits like The Lightning and collaborations in the Blackened Masters of Whiskey series.
“It’s been phenomenal working at Blackened Whiskey. I’ve become friends with the band members and their extraordinary team of folks who really just create the magic that surrounds their shows,” Dietrich said. “And it really is a family. I’ve spent a lot of time with James (Hetfield) up in Vail and Edwards.”
In true alignment with 10th Mountain Whiskey and Dietrich’s values tied to military causes, Thompson said that by supporting this collaboration, you are not only celebrating this milestone but also contributing to a cause dedicated to helping veterans recover from PTSD specifically with Project Healing Waters.
“I’m very grateful for the opportunity to be able to continue doing what I love, and I get to do it with some guys who love what they do as well,” Dietrich said.
“It’s truly an honor for us to give back and support causes that align with our values and mission. Giving back is precisely why we do what we do every day,” Thompson said. “We are so grateful for everyone who has supported us in this journey along the way and we can’t wait to see what the next 10 years has in store.”
If you would like to celebrate with 10th Mountain Whiskey, head to the 10th Anniversary Party at the distillery in Gypsum from 3 p.m. to midnight this Saturday. Tickets include one drink, a meal ticket for food trucks, live music by Bonfire Dub, The Drunken Hearts and more performers. Your ticket also gives you access to purchase the special collaborations debuting this weekend. For more information and to get tickets, go to 10thWhiskey.com.
