In an arid, alpine climate, a “watering hole” is a comfortable place of gathering, community, and relaxation. A place where the local population can feel at home and comfortable. A place where taste buds are satiated. Storm King Distilling Co. is just that for the community of Montrose and its surrounding area. It holds these values true, all while excelling at its craft and adding to the spirit of the town.
We reached out to father-son duo Greg and David Fishering, who founded, own, and operate the distillery, to discover more about what makes their local business so successful and what Western Slope living means to them.
Why Montrose? The Fishering family has been in Montrose since the late 1980s. It’s where David grew up, giving him an appreciation for the community and way of life in the region. They understand that Montrose has positioned itself over the years as a top Western Slope destination, with a growing young professional population, immediate access to some of the best outdoor recreation in the state, and a city government that continues to innovate and support local businesses. In David’s mind, it was the ideal place to raise a family, so he did just that, moving back from a life abroad with a high taste and palate that yearned for good whiskey. This love for whiskey blossomed into a business plan for the distillery when the Fishering family purchased the historic Montrose Potato Growers building, which shares a lot with the current distillery site at the corner of Main and Grand. Plotting and planning matriculated into an official business front in June 2018, with spirits production recently celebrating a four-year anniversary.
Born from a love of whiskey, it should be no surprise that this amber-colored distillate is at the center of their spirits portfolio, but the Storm King brand has grown from there to offer nine (!) different spirits. David understands that a diverse product offering is key to building a committed following, and in the current tequila-obsessed world of 2022, the top-selling Storm King product is the Agave Blanco! Due to regional regulations, the product cannot technically be called “tequila”—it has to be made in Mexico for that—but Storm King uses 100% organic blue agave nectar imported from Jalisco, Mexico to produce their clear agave spirit.
For those who enjoy their agave with a bit more color and oak character, Storm King ages their Blanco for a select number of months in various oak casks to produce their “Agave Especial.” Depending on the cask (casks range from rye whiskey barrels to cabernet sauvignon barrels), each release is its own single-barrel expression. This unique small-batch dedication translates to their whiskey operation as well. The Rye Whiskey, David’s favorite, won a double gold at the Denver International Spirit Competition, and is made alongside a wheat whiskey and many other single-grain whiskeys. The goal is to never stop learning and to educate consumers on the different flavors produced by different grains when they are distilled into whiskey. In true local fashion, the whiskeys are made from 100% Colorado-grown grain so the product not only reflects the grain, but the local terroir (soils and spirit) of the state. Other offerings include a small batch Gin, a barrel-rested Gin that spends 3-9 months in new, charred American oak, a silver Rum (perfect for Mojitos!), and a 100% corn Vodka perfect for a dirty martini.
David’s suggested way of enjoying his distillates is to first try them neat—without mixers or just with a single ice cube—because he wants you to taste the grain and craftsmanship involved in each. From this baseline point of understanding, a consumer is free to add their twist to craft a unique and delicious cocktail. The best place to enjoy a Storm King old fashioned or Boulevardier (negroni with whiskey instead of gin) is the tasting room in Downtown Montrose, wedged between Townsend Avenue and the Uncompahgre River. The tasting room features a spacious patio to relax and enjoy the endless Colorado sunshine and a knowledgeable, trained staff to educate visitors on the processes, products, and how to whip up a craft cocktail. The staff leads visitors on tours of the distillery, so make sure to ask and get signed up for their next slot! During your visit, you will probably catch a glimpse of the Fisherings, as it is truly a family operation. David’s two daughters are often helping out at the distillery, keeping the family dream alive.
Storm King Distilling Co. is a perfect example of what makes Montrose living so special. Affinity for community, family, and craft spirits come together in a small business that means so much to the Western Slope lifestyle. Stop by to check it out yourself, or purchase their spirits from a number of liquor retailers, and see what their passion is all about!
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