Stranahans Colorado Whiskey 750ML

Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey 750ML is a 94-proof (47% ABV) American single malt whiskey distilled entirely from malted barley in Denver, Colorado. Named Best in Class at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and scoring 92/100 from Whisky Advocate, this expression blends six-, seven-, eight-, and nine-year-old whiskeys aged in new charred oak at over 5,000 feet elevation in the Rocky Mountains.
Quick Facts: ABV: 47% (94 proof)  |  Origin: Denver, Colorado, USA  |  Blend of 6–9 Year Whiskeys  |  Distillery: Stranahan’s
Production & Heritage
Stranahan’s double-distills in copper pot stills using a mashbill of four barley varieties sourced from the Colorado region, with water drawn from Eldorado Spring near Boulder. The new make comes off the still at 70% ABV before being reduced to 55% ABV for entry into new charred American oak barrels. Maturation takes place at altitude in the Rockies, where lower atmospheric pressure and cooler temperatures create a concentrated, distinctive flavor profile compared to lowland-aged whiskeys. Each bottle is hand-filled and hand-signed by the distiller—sometimes including personal notes about the music played during that batch’s production—with the bottling process carried out by volunteers.
Tasting Notes
Aroma: Butterscotch and caramel arrive first, followed by vanilla, maple syrup, and a thread of worn leather. Underneath, sawdust, pine forest, and bundt cake mingle with shea butter and malted milk.
Taste: Cinnamon-butter and warm caramel dominate the entry before dark chocolate, cocoa powder, and mocha latte take over at mid-palate. Spiced pear, raspberry, and a malty honeyed sweetness build toward the peak, accented by light peppermint and anise.
Finish: Long and layered, with chocolate, dried fruit, and cinnamon spice persisting well beyond the last sip. Oak tannins provide sturdy structure while a subtle nuttiness and vanilla warmth carry through to the end.
How to Drink Stranahan’s
Neat or with a few drops of water is the ideal starting point—the full spectrum of malt and barrel character opens up without dilution dulling the proof. On the rocks, the chocolate and caramel lean into a more approachable, dessert-like register.
Old Fashioned: The rich caramel and cinnamon core stands up to bitters and a sugar cube without losing complexity. Manhattan: Dark chocolate and dried fruit qualities dovetail naturally with sweet vermouth. Whiskey Sour: Malty sweetness and spiced pear balance citrus juice and keep the malt character front and center.
Best For
Gifting to an American whiskey enthusiast exploring single malts
After-dinner sipping alongside dark chocolate desserts
Building a craft or Colorado-focused whiskey collection
Introducing Scotch single malt drinkers to American expressions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Stranahan’s taste like? Stranahan’s is rich and malt-forward, with dominant notes of dark chocolate, warm caramel, cinnamon, and spiced pear, supported by oak tannins and a honeyed sweetness that lingers on a long finish.
How does Stranahan’s compare to Westward Whiskey Single Malt? Both are 100% malted barley American single malts at similar price points, but Stranahan’s ages in new charred oak and blends multiple age statements from six to nine years, yielding a chocolate-and-caramel-driven profile. Westward uses a different ale yeast fermentation and tends to lean more into dried fruit and baking spice character.
Is Stranahan’s good for sipping neat? At 47% ABV, it carries enough proof to deliver layered complexity—chocolate, malt, oak, fruit—without overwhelming heat, making it well suited to neat drinking.
Where is Stranahan’s made? Stranahan’s is distilled at Stranahan’s Distillery in Denver, Colorado, using Eldorado Spring water sourced near Boulder and four barley varieties grown in the Colorado region.
What foods pair well with Stranahan’s? Dark chocolate truffles complement the cocoa and mocha notes. Grilled stone fruits like peaches echo the spiced pear character. Aged cheddar or Gruyère balances the caramel sweetness. Pecan pie mirrors the nutty, vanilla-rich finish. Smoked brisket stands up to the oak and cinnamon spice.
What sizes does Stranahan’s come in? The standard offering is a 750ml bottle.
Is Stranahan’s worth the price? Stranahan’s positions as a mid-premium American single malt; with a blend of six- to nine-year-old whiskeys, hand-bottling, and consistent critical recognition—including a 92/100 from Whisky Advocate and Best in Class at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition—it delivers strong value within its tier.
Why Stranahan’s?
Few American single malts combine high-altitude maturation, a multi-year blending strategy, and the critical track record Stranahan’s has built over more than a decade. Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible named the distillery Best Small Batch Distiller of the Year in 2009, and the momentum has continued through a 2022 Gold Medal at the New York International Spirits Competition and Best in Class at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The use of four Colorado barley varieties, Eldorado Spring water, and copper pot distillation produces a distinctly malty, chocolate-rich whiskey that has helped define the emerging American single malt category. Each hand-signed bottle reflects a genuine small-batch approach—from volunteer bottling lines to distiller’s notes on the label—that large-scale producers simply cannot replicate.