For the second year in a row, Storm King Distilling has placed itself among the best whiskey producers in the country.

At the 2025 World Whiskies Awards, the family-run distillery took home the title of Best American Whiskey Under 12 Years for its Side Gig Whiskey.

This follows last year’s win, when Storm King was named World’s Best American Whiskey, proving that Montrose’s small-batch distillery is not just competing with industry giants—it’s holding its own.

David Fishering, Storm King’s owner master distiller, said the recognition reinforces what they’ve set out to prove: quality and consistency matter.

“Every batch we make, whether it’s Side Gig, our bourbon, or our rye, is going to have some variation,” Fishering said. “But the fact that we’re still recognized as one of the top three American whiskeys in the world tells us that no matter what batch you taste, you’re getting great whiskey.”

The World Whiskies Awards is one of the most respected spirits competitions in the industry, featuring blind tastings from a panel of expert judges.

It is part of an international competition that evaluates the best in whiskey across multiple categories. Judges assess aroma, taste, and balance without knowing the brand or distillery behind the sample.

Past winners in the Best American Whiskey Under 12 Years category have included renowned names such as Buffalo Trace and Woodford Reserve, making Storm King’s win even more impressive.

Storm King’s Side Gig Whiskey went up against products from some of the biggest names in American whiskey—including Jack Daniels—and still managed to make its mark. Fishering attended the awards ceremony for the second straight year.

“It’s pretty cool when you’re in a room with all of the largest American whiskey distilleries and you’re actually there as an equal,” Fishering said. “We’re a distillery with me, my dad, and one employee, and we’re going up against the biggest names in whiskey.”

Storm King’s Approach to Whiskey-Making

What sets Storm King apart isn’t some secret ingredient or a radically different process—it’s the level of care and craftsmanship that goes into every batch. Fishering explained that while their production methods are traditional, the difference lies in the patience and attention to detail.

“We’re not cutting corners,” he said. “We have a lot of patience, and we focus on doing things the right way. We care about the product, and I think that shows.”

Storm King sources high-quality grains, carefully selects barrels for aging, and allows time to work its magic. Their small-batch process means each batch has its own unique character, but maintaining quality and consistency across releases is their top priority.

Colorado’s Growing Whiskey Scene

Storm King’s success is part of a larger trend—Colorado has emerged as a destination in the craft whiskey world. At this year’s World Whiskies Awards, multiple Colorado distilleries took home honors, including Boulder Spirits and Distillery 291 (Breckenridge Distillery has won in the past).

“Colorado as a whole is making its mark as a spirits destination,” Fishering said. “It’s probably second only to Texas, but it’s a lot easier to get around Colorado than it is Texas.”

One initiative helping to elevate the state’s reputation is the Colorado Spirits Trail, an organized network of over 50 distilleries across the state, designed to promote Colorado-made spirits.

Participants can visit distilleries, collect stamps in a passport-style program, and discover some of the finest craft whiskeys, gins, and vodkas the state has to offer.

Fishering explained that Colorado is becoming a recognized destination for craft spirits.

At a recent competition, five Colorado distilleries, including Storm King, received recognition. He noted that while many visitors come to the state for outdoor activities like skiing and hiking, the whiskey industry is becoming another draw.

Fishering, who serves on the board of the Colorado Distillers Guild, said one of their major initiatives is expanding the reach of the Colorado Spirits Trail, ensuring more visitors experience the range of high-quality distilleries throughout the state.

“We get a lot of people passing through Montrose already,” he said. “But we want to get to a point where people come here just for Storm King. We’re working on it.”

For now, visitors who want a bottle of Storm King’s award-winning whiskey must visit in person—the distillery doesn’t distribute widely and state laws prevent them from shipping spirits to customers. Fishering said that’s something they’re pushing to change.

Preserving the Past, Building the Future

Storm King’s latest achievement isn’t just in whiskey. The distillery recently completed a major historic preservation project, transforming the old Montrose Potato Growers building into a vibrant food hall, The Association. The building was so dilapidated before the renovation that sunlight streamed through holes in the roof.

The restoration took years and a significant financial investment to complete while adhering to historic preservation standards.

The space now features a bar and a variety of local food vendors, including gelato and espresso, charcuterie, and sushi. Additionally, the lower level has been converted into an events space, adding another layer of functionality to the revitalized structure.

The project received assistance from historic preservation grants, ensuring that the transformation remained true to the building’s heritage.

“There aren’t a lot of privately funded preservation projects in Colorado,” Fishering said. “Most of them focus on public buildings, so this was a rare opportunity to turn something that was falling apart into something useful.”

History Colorado recently featured Storm King’s efforts on its social media pages, and Fishering also discussed the project on a podcast with the organization earlier this week.

Between its award-winning whiskey and its efforts to preserve Montrose’s history, Storm King Distilling continues to make its mark, one barrel at a time.

Whether through world-class spirits or the revitalization of historic spaces, Fishering and his team are proving that Montrose deserves to be on the whiskey map.

Justin Tubbs is the Montrose Business Times editor. He can be reached by email at justin@montrosebusinesstimes.com or by phone at 970-765-0915 or mobile at 254-246-2260.