Colorado Distillery Takes Home Seven Medals at San Francisco World Spirits Competition Hoot + Howl Spirits, a Golden, Colorado-based distillery, earned seven medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC), with one award for each spirit in its lineup.

The distillery's approach centers on reviving historical distilling methods largely abandoned by modern producers. Double distillation, slow temperature curves, and tranchage—a historical blending technique—are core to the operation's process.

"At Hoot + Howl, we blend history's recipes and time-honored methods with a little modern mountain magic that's unique to us," said founder Callan Deline. "We're thrilled to share the resulting spirits with the world, and to showcase the quality of Colorado-made spirits."

Award Breakdown SFWSC, recognized as one of the world's most prestigious spirits competitions, judged entries through a masked tasting process. Hoot + Howl's awards included:

Double Gold: Armagnac Cask Bourbon, blended from seven-year-old bourbon and finished for one year in an ex-Armagnac cask.

Gold Medals: Saint Alpin Liqueur (recently released, distilled with 18 botanicals); Hoot + Howl Spirits Gin (double-distilled with mountain botanicals); and Amaro Cask Bourbon (finished for one year in a Sicilian amaro cask).

Silver Medals: Triple Sec (double-distilled with bitter orange, lemon, and bergamot peels) and Vodka (filtered and cut with Colorado water).

Bronze: Black Tea Liqueur (infused with loose leaf black tea, bergamot peel, and Demerara sugar).

The company also earned medals this year at the American Distilling Institute Spirits Competition and Denver International Spirits Competition.

Distribution and Availability The spirits are available at select retailers across Colorado, with nationwide online delivery available outside the state. The distillery is helmed by founder Callan Deline and Head Distiller Chris Ritenour.

Why It Matters

For on-premise and off-premise operators, Hoot + Howl's medal sweep signals a growing consumer interest in historically-informed spirits production—particularly in craft markets. The lineup's diversity (from botanical liqueurs to base spirits) offers retailers and bars multiple entry points for differentiation, while the rigorous SFWSC backing provides third-party credibility in an increasingly crowded premium spirits category.

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Written by FBM Publications Editors