Gypsum-based distillery earns worldwide honors

The 10th Mountain Whiskey & Spirit Company went up against some of the world’s finest spirits makers and came out with top honors, earning eight awards at this year’s San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

“At 10th Mountain Whiskey & Spirit Company, we’ve always believed that passion, purpose and persistence can take you just as far—if not farther—than size,” said Ryan Thompson, founder of the Gypsum-based distillery. This belief was put to the test on the global stage with brands from as far away as Scotland, New Zealand, South Korea and Taiwan participating. The competition was a closed-door event, meaning none of the distilleries were in attendance and each company sent products for the judges to sample.

“We’re honored beyond words. To receive eight prestigious medals across our spirits portfolio, standing proudly alongside some of the most recognized brands in the industry, it’s amazing,” Thompson said.

10th Mountain Whiskey & Spirit Company also earned the Double Gold medal for its bourbon with a score of 98 points. This unanimous decision by the judges affirms that without question the 10th Mountain Whiskey & Spirit Company’s high-proof, Colorado-born bourbon ranks among the best in the world. Other awards include:

Gold Medals

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• Potato vodka
• Rye batch 81  

Silver Medals

• American single malt Whiskey
• Brandy
• Old fashioned bitters

Bronze Medals

• Alpenglow cordial
• Rye whiskey chocolate  

“These awards prove that even a small-batch distillery from the Colorado Rockies can compete with global titans—and win. It’s a testament to our team and our values,” Thompson said.

At 10th Mountain Whiskey, the team is proud to partner with the Ute Tribe’s Bow and Arrow brand, which is fully committed to sustainable farming and is based at Ute Mountain near Mesa Verde National Park in southwest Colorado.

“By sourcing our corn and grains from them, we ensure that our production process honors both the land and the rich cultural heritage of the Ute people,” Thompson said.

The 10th Mountain Whiskey & Spirit Company also honors the heritage of its namesake and celebrates the 10th Mountain Division, the famed army winter warfare unit that trained south of Vail at Camp Hale and went on to fight pivotal battles during World War II. The 10th Mountain Whiskey & Spirit Company honors veterans and active-duty men and women every day through its brand and it also supports several nonprofit programs nationwide.

“As we continue to grow, this moment and these awards mark a significant milestone for 10th Mountain Whiskey,” Thompson said. “It signals that the craft spirit movement is alive and thriving — and that authenticity, storytelling and quality still hold paramount importance in this industry.”

For more information, visit 10thWhiskey.com.