High-proof bourbon that leans into structure without losing its sweetness.
About NoCo Distillery
Located in Fort Collins, Colorado — at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains — NoCo Distillery operates with a clear philosophy: high proof handled deliberately, never disguised.
The distillery sources pristine alpine water from the Rockies and works exclusively with copper stills, using both pot and column configurations. Fermentations often extend beyond four weeks, allowing deeper flavor development before distillation even begins. Slow distillation, extended runs, and increased copper contact create higher reflux and allow for tighter, more selective cuts. Every spirit is distilled a minimum of three times.
Maturation is treated with equal intent. NoCo ages its spirits in some of the finest American oak casks available, using a wide range of barrel sizes — from small-format casks to full-sized barrels. Staves are seasoned between 12 and 48 months, depending on supplier and application. For finishing, the distillery incorporates additional wood types when appropriate — particularly in rum and agave spirits — placing NoCo among a small group of producers pushing maturation and finishing beyond convention.
The result is a portfolio that balances power, structure, and clarity, even at extreme ABV. Today, NoCo Distillery produces more than 25 distinct spirits, making it one of the most technically versatile craft distilleries in the country.
Socially Responsible by Design
NoCo Distillery prioritizes local collaboration wherever possible. Portions of wash production are outsourced to nearby breweries before fermentation is completed in-house — supporting local business while maintaining quality control. Grains, fruits, and botanicals are sourced from Colorado producers whenever available, reducing transportation impact and strengthening the regional economy.
Sustainability is built into daily operations. The distillery reuses and recycles most production materials, employs heat exchangers to reduce energy consumption, and operates a closed-circuit cooling system during winter months using reclaimed water from its reverse osmosis system. NoCo also offers a bottle return program—providing a credit for each bottle returned — making it one of the only distilleries in Colorado to do so.
When possible, organic and non-GMO raw materials are used and clearly labeled.
Rocky Mountain Water
The Rocky Mountains supply the same clean spring and runoff water credited by Fort Collins brewers for decades. That water—clear, mineral-balanced, and consistent—forms the foundation of every NoCo spirit, contributing texture and balance that remain present even at hazmat-level proof.
Stats
- Age: 4 year
- Proof: 129.1 (64.65% ABV)
- Mashbill: Not provided
- Origin: NoCo Distillery — Fort Collins, CO
- Distillation: 4x in pot stills, four week low temperature fermentation
- Finish: Straight in 4 year seasoned oak
- Release: Limited release, single barrel, cask strength
- MSRP: Not provided
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Deeply toasted marshmallow — golden and caramelized — layered with creamy hazelnut sweetness reminiscent of Cow Tales. Fresh oak and light sawdust signal early that structure will play a leading role.
- Palate: Marshmallow fluff and milk chocolate soften the entry before leather, char, and assertive tannin begin to grip. The mouthfeel is dense and slightly fluffy despite the proof. The oak influence is active and drying, but not hollow.
- Finish: Clove, sourdough crust, and black tea tannin stretch long across the palate, resolving into dark chocolate and sustained warmth. The oak tightens and then slowly releases.
This is a bourbon that embraces the influence of small barrels rather than apologizing for it.
The oak occasionally pushes hard, flirting with excess, but it does so in service of character. What could feel overdone instead feels intentional.
The payoff is a confident, structured finish that lingers well beyond the final sip.
Distinctiveness
It isn’t Kentucky bourbon, and that’s precisely its strength.
The extended fermentation and four-pass distillation create a texture that feels distinct — structured yet oddly plush.
The finish ultimately carries the experience and leaves a confident final word.
Transparency
NoCo Distillery is unusually forthcoming for a craft producer operating at this proof level.
Details around fermentation length, distillation passes, barrel selection, and finishing methodology were provided proactively with the samples. Follow-up questions — such as mashbill specifics or time spent in finishing casks — were answered promptly when requested.
Nothing about these releases feels obscured or selectively framed. Processes are disclosed because they matter, not because they’re convenient. That level of openness builds trust, especially in a space where high proof can sometimes mask shortcuts.
This is a distillery with nothing to hide — and no reason to.
Authors Note: Presentation was omitted due to samples only provided. Value was omitted due to no MSRP being provided or available online.
Buy if:
- You appreciate tannic structure and oak-forward profiles
- You enjoy high-proof bourbon that rewards slow sipping
- You’re curious how small barrels can be pushed without losing balance
Skip if:
- You prefer soft, rounded, dessert-leaning bourbon
- Heavy oak and dryness aren’t your thing
For those who prefer numbers, here’s the full score breakdown:
- Nose: 5.3 / 7
- Palate: 5.4 / 7
- Finish: 6.1 / 7
- Presentation: N/A (samples)
- Distinctiveness: 6.25 / 7
- Transparency: 7 / 7
- Value: N/A
Bourbon Bishop Rating: 6.01 / 7 – Divine
Top-shelf. Must-buy for fans of the style.
| Score | Descriptor | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0–1 | Hell No | Drain pour. Seriously undrinkable |
| 1.1–2 | Purgatory | Bad, but could be worse. Only in extreme cases. |
| 2.1–3 | Only Earthly | Just okay. Best used as a mixer. |
| 3.1–4 | Bliss | Passable sipper. Works well in cocktails. |
| 4.1–5 | Angelic | Good to great. High value for the price. |
| 5.1–6 | Divine | Top-shelf. Must-buy for fans of the style. |
| 6.1–7 | Holy Heaven | Out-of-this-world. A true unicorn. |
Disclosure: This sample was provided to me free of charge for review purposes. All opinions are my own.
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