In the hills of Summit County, Colorado, less than an hour’s drive from Denver, you’ll find a gold mine. A mine of liquid gold, that is. Breckenridge Distillery sits at 9600 feet above sea level, making it the world’s highest distillery.

Breckenridge Distillery began just a few years ago when Dr. Bryan Nolt, self-proclaimed whiskey freak, had an idea. He was spring fly fishing at his favorite watering hole in the Ten Mile Mountain Range when he realized all that fresh-flowing snowmelt would taste great distilled into a whiskey. Before diving into this endeavor, he smartly took a class at the American Distilling Institute in California, where Jordan Via was his instructor. After finishing the class Nolt introduced Via to the clean crisp waters of the Blue River and a partnership was born.

Nolt’s passion was single-malt whiskey, but Via wanted to try a bourbon. A specific type of whiskey, bourbon — per US standard — must be made from 51% corn, aged in new, charred-oak barrels and aged for at least two years. Via suggested creating a ryed-up bourbon that would be completely different from other American bourbons. The results have been rewarding. As the website claims, “We used to mine gold in Breckenridge. Now we just win it.” Breckenridge Bourbon has received gold medals from the 2012 MicroLiquor Spirit Awards, the 2012 Denver International Spirits Competition, the 2012 International Whisky Competition, and received one of only three gold medals given at the 2011 International Wine & Spirits Competition in the U.K.

Nolt says the water makes his spirits special. “Over half of every bottle is proofing water. [Water added after distilling to bring alcohol percentage down to drinkable levels.] If you’re stuck with a nasty municipal water source, you must strip your water to a flavorless, neutral diluting agent. In Breckenridge we have fresh snowmelt water that’s full of minerals and has its own flavor. The pH is perfect and the minerals add taste to our spirits just as salt adds flavor to foods.”

Breckenridge Distillery is not keeping all this gold a secret. Anyone can experience the world’s highest distillery by visiting the facility at 1925 Airport Road, just off Highway 9 before Main Street in Breckenridge. As long as you show up during business hours (11 AM–6 PM, Tuesday–Sunday), they will be happy to show you around, especially the 700 gallon Vendome custom copper pot still.  You can even sip on free samples. Along with bourbon and malt whiskey, Breckenridge Distillery also makes vodka, spiced rum, spiced whiskey, chocolate liqueur, genepi liqueur and several infusions.

Breckenridge Distillery is in the midst of an expansion with plans to increase production to 15 barrels a day and holding capacity to 15,000 barrels. If you can’t make it to Breckenridge, you can find the bourbon all over the Front Range and in 35 states nationwide. Call 1-970-547-WSKY (9759) to order you flask of gold or get more information.