Barrel Aged Elegance: Introducing NOCO Distillery’s Bitters

At NOCO Distillery, craftsmanship is a promise. Every bottle tells a story—of bold ambition, refined technique, and a relentless pursuit of perfection. Today, we proudly share the latest chapter: our Barrel Aged Bitters, now available to the public after years of quiet acclaim.

Crafted from a proprietary blend of 21 botanicals, these bitters are the result of a close collaboration with our longtime botanical partner and neighbor, the Old Town Spice Shop. This boutique spice atelier curates every botanical with unmatched precision, ensuring our bitters deliver both complexity and harmony in every drop.

What sets them apart? Time and barrels. Aged gracefully in a combination of ex-bourbon and ex-brandy casks, these bitters develop a depth and nuance that cannot be rushed. The wood lends richness; the spirits that once lived in those barrels leave behind soft notes of vanilla, caramel, and dried fruit.

Bottled at 44% ABV—our signature strength—this is not your average bitter. It’s a full-bodied, elegantly layered ingredient designed for one purpose: to elevate the cocktail experience.

The inspiration? Our Old Fashioned—renowned as the best in Northern Colorado and, by many accounts, one of the best anywhere. Its reputation sparked a wave of requests from cocktail enthusiasts, bar programs, and restaurateurs alike. And so, after persistent demand, our Master Distiller gave in—expanding production to bring this once exclusive element of our cocktail program to a wider audience.

The result is exceptional: a beautifully balanced bitter with warm, spiced complexity and a gentle sweetness on the finish. It doesn’t just complement an Old Fashioned—it completes it.

NOCO Distillery’s Barrel Aged Bitters
Handcrafted. Aged with intention. Now yours.

Available now at the distillery and select partners across Colorado.

NOCO Distillery Unveils the Ultra-Rare Master Blender’s Private Reserve – A Visionary Blend of American Craft Whiskeys

Fort Collins, CO — NOCO Distillery is proud to announce the highly unanticipated release of its Master Blender’s Private Reserve, an exceptionally rare expression that embodies the soul and creative force behind our distilling philosophy. This is only the second time in nine years this special blend has been released, and for good reason—it’s a spirit that blurs the lines between art and alchemy.

Crafted by the hands of NOCO’s Master Distiller and Blender, this blend is conjured only when our he enters a near-meditative trance—typically after a long day(s) of blending, when instinct takes over, and he begins setting aside glasses, quietly assembling what will become this once-in-a-blue moon concoction. This limited-edition whiskey is a deep and intricate marriage of the distillery’s most celebrated expressions: American Single Malt, Bourbon, and Rye Whiskey and ironically bottled at 66.6% ABV.. Each component is aged to perfection in a curated selection of American oak barrels, then harmonized into a final blend that is both wildly sophisticated and luxuriously layered.

"This is the kind of whiskey we usually keep for ourselves, to sip quietly on cold Colorado nights or to gift to those who’ve earned it. It’s not often that we share what we hold this close," says the NOCO Distillery’s Distillery Manager, Josh Green.

The result is nothing short of exquisite—lush notes of fig, honey, key lime pie, crème brulée,  toasted almond, dark cherry, and cigar box mingle with warming spices, caramelized oak, and a whisper of stone fruit on the finish. It’s a whiskey designed to unfold over time, revealing new dimensions with each sip.

While most distilleries reserve their best barrels for commercial batch releases, the Master Blender’s Private Reserve is a rare window into the personal palate of NOCO Distillery’s visionary Master Distiller/Blender. It’s a showcase of patience, mastery, and instinct, where each barrel tells its own story—and together, they sing.

Due to its scarcity and the distiller's personal attachment, bottles of the Master Blender’s Private Reserve are extremely limited.

If you have the chance to get your hands on a bottle, don’t hesitate. You may not see it again for years.

The Master Blender’s Private Reserve is available now in very limited quantities exclusively at NOCO Distillery’s Fort Collins tasting room.

66.6% ABV - 750mL - MSRP $150.00.

NOCO Distillery releases it’s latest founders reserve rye whiskey finished in PX Sherry Casks

Introducing: Founders Reserve Rye Whiskey PX Sherry Cask Finish
Triple Distilled. 100% Malted Rye. Pure Craftsmanship.

At NOCO Distillery, we believe the best spirits are born not just from tradition, but from transformation. We are proud to unveil our latest release—a bold, elegant expression that showcases the future of rye whiskey: Founders Reserve Rye Whiskey PX Sherry Cask Finish.

Crafted from 100% malted rye and triple distilled in our copper stills, this whiskey is both a celebration of classic rye character and a testament to innovative maturation. It’s the rye lover’s dream—refined, complex, and entirely unique.

What Sets This Rye Apart

The journey begins with pristine Rocky Mountain water and a slow fermentation process, coaxing out nuanced flavors from the malted rye. The whiskey is then triple distilled in our signature copper stills, ensuring a silky smooth texture with exceptional clarity of flavor.

But the real artistry lies in the finish.

Instead of purchasing used PX sherry casks—which often arrive tainted with unwanted sulfur compounds—our master distiller took a different path. We sourced luxurious Pedro Ximénez sherry directly, and aged it in our own used whiskey barrels for up to a year. These self-seasoned casks, now imbued with rich PX character and NOCO DNA, were then used to finish the whiskey.

The result? A rye unlike any other—with depth, balance, and elegance, and absolutely no sulfur notes.

Tasting Notes: Founders Reserve Rye PX Sherry Cask Finish

Nose: Bold yet refined. Sweet notes of fig jam, black cherry, and sticky toffee pudding mingle with peppery rye spice, roasted pecans, and a whisper of cocoa powder.

Palate: Rich and layered. The malted rye delivers a velvety texture, opening with hints of dark berries, molasses, and spiced plum. The PX finish adds warmth and sweetness—dates, maple, and nutmeg—perfectly complementing the peppery backbone.

Finish: Long and luxurious. Lingering hints of toasted oak, cinnamon, and candied orange peel fade into a soft, warming glow. Smooth and sultry with just the right touch of spice.

Why Founders Reserve Matters

This isn’t just another finished whiskey. This is control over every step—from the sherry to the barrel to the final pour. By aging the PX in-house, we’ve eliminated inconsistencies and created a whiskey that is both clean and intensely flavorful.

This expression honors the founding vision of NOCO Distillery: craft with character, innovation with integrity.

Available Now – Limited Quantities - $150

Founders Reserve Rye Whiskey PX Sherry Cask Finish is now available at our Fort Collins distillery and select retailers. Or experience it where it shines—in a crystal glass at our Speakeasy & Tasting Room.

Reservations recommended. Revelry guaranteed.

This is not just a rye. It’s a nocolicious.

NOCO Distillery releases new Founders Reserve Rye Whiskey Finished in Port Barrels

Introducing the Latest Founders Reserve from NOCO Distillery:

100% Malted Rye - Port Barrel Finish

From the Foothills of the Rocky Mountains, a Collector's item

Crafted with intention, passion, and mastery, NOCO Distillery proudly unveils its newest Founders Reserve—a 100% Malted Rye, triple distilled and aged to perfection. This release is the embodiment of what makes NOCO Distillery the pinnacle of craft spirits: extreme attention to detail, bold innovation, and a deep reverence for patience.

The grain bill is pure: 100% malted rye, chosen for its spicy depth and silky malted richness. Fermented at lower temperature over four weeks, it develops a complex backbone of esters and savory-sweet notes that only patience and masterful fermentation can yield.

Triple distilled in our copper pot stills, each drop enjoys generous copper contact for smoothness, while precise cuts preserve the rye’s bold character. Initially aged in new American oak barrels, the spirit then awaits patiently for over a year in Port Barrels, infusing it with a luscious layer of jammy sweetness and dried fruit elegance.

Bottled at cask strength (62% ABV), this rye is elegant, refined, and unapologetically rich.

Tasting Notes by NOCO Distillery's Master Distiller

Color:

Deep mahogany with golden amber edges—like stained glass at dusk. It clings to the glass with long, oily legs that promise texture and warmth.

Nose:

The nose is a decadent harmony of warm raisin bread, dark chocolate ganache, and dried Medjool dates. A swirl of PX Sherry sweetness rises first—fig jam, clove, orange oil—followed by malted cereal, toasted walnut, and hints of rosewood. After a moment, the rye spice begins to bloom: cracked black pepper, anise, and a trace of burnt orange peel.

Palate:

A powerhouse of layered complexity. Bold and coating from the first sip, with the dark fruit from the sherry cask rushing in—black cherries, prune, and molasses—interwoven with the grassy bite of malted rye and a touch of eucalyptus. Mid-palate brings roasted espresso beans, dark cocoa, and a spiced fruitcake note that lingers with incredible warmth.

Even at cask strength, the integration is smooth—silky, full-bodied, and surprisingly elegant. A few drops of water reveal even more nuance: baked apples, rye crust, honeycomb, and a savory umami hint like miso or roasted shiitake.

Finish:

Long and evolving. The rye's inherent spice marries with lingering PX sweetness. Expect notes of leather, pipe tobacco, cherrywood, and salted caramel fading slowly into a dry, warming spice that echoes for minutes.

Instant Collectable:

This is a collector’s rye. A pour that will make aficionados pause and savor. Bold yet balanced, this latest Founders Reserve release is a spirit that commands attention and rewards reflection.

Limited bottles available. Only at NOCO Distillery and select premium retailers. $150 MSRP.