(BUENA VISTA, Colo.) — We are Chaffee County and nestled high in the Colorado Rockies where the spirit of adventure runs as deep as the mountains themselves, Deerhammer Distillery stands as a testament to craftsmanship, curiosity, and a whole lot of heart. Founded in 2010 by Amy and Lenny Eckstein, Deerhammer has quickly become a local icon and it's not just the breathtaking views that make it special. Lenny, who built the distillery from the ground up, first cobbled together a makeshift still using repurposed equipment and a lot of elbow grease. Together the two pride themselves in making Colorado grain-to-glass whiskey. "A big part of it has been the educational component of why one would even want to enjoy whiskey and in terms of slowing down and appreciating the process that went into it, what makes it unique, appreciating the aroma, the flavor, the finish, all of it," Lenny said. At the heart of Deerhammer's operation is their flagship American single malt whiskey, a smooth, rich spirit that is 100% malted barley and crafted using a porter-style mash. "Our American single malt started it all for us," Lenny explained. "It hasn't changed from day one other than a longer maturation time and maybe starting to go into bigger barrels. After undergoing open-air fermentation, it's distilled in squat-head copper pot stills, and then aged in charred white oak barrels. The founders say the final product is a whiskey that's uniquely American with flavors of coffee, dark fruit, and a touch of chocolate that you won't find in its Scottish or Irish counterparts. "I always like to try to get people away from shots and more into really sipping whiskey, enjoying it for all its complexities," Lenny said. "It starts with the color, it starts with what you get on the nose and finishes with how it sits on your palate and develops over time." Since 2010, the distillery has expanded from producing two barrels a month to one 53-gallon barrel of whiskey every day. This increase allows the distillery to meet demand while maintaining their commitment to quality. "Colorado grows a ton of barley so we're able to utilize barley, wheat, rye, all grown in one valley over in the San Luis Valley and we can work with a supplier that can get us the best quality of grain and maltings that we use in our product," Lenny said. Though Deerhamer has gained attention for its award-winning American single malt, the distillery produces a variety of other whiskeys and they never shy away from competing with the latest trend. "People might be looking for tequila or cocktails in a can or whatever trend is next," Lenny explained. "There are still people who love whiskey and want to appreciate its unique style and we have that and we always will." Deerhammer's whiskeys and spirits can be found at most liquor stores throughout Colorado or you can also visit them in Buena Vista and pick up a bottle. The couple is also in the process of reconfiguring their tasting room to accommodate special events. If you are interested, they ask the public to reach out on their website.