Distillery 291

Take a trip to the old west and throw back a real taste of simpler times. Nestled in the heart of Colorado Springs, 291 Distillery offers a brilliant space to rest your tired dusty boots as you drink in libations that transport you to a time of quick draws and ace high experience! Let the bourbon warm your soul as you take in all that Colorado Springs has to offer! If you go, tip your hat to Candy and give her the big howdy for me! Enjoy throwing em’ back and slammin’ em’ down at 291! A must stop locale!

Highly recommend visiting Distillery 291. It's tucked away in an industrial area, but definitely worth making time to go there. Our tour with Eric, the head distiller, was great! Samples along the way and a great mix of history of the distillery and the processes they use. It's an impressive set-up, and anyone who enjoys whiskey will enjoy their time there. Also had a great time with James, the bartender who also performs music there (we didn't get a chance to hear his music, unfortunately). The atmosphere in the bar would be great for a group of friends or a date night.

I have been speaking recently with the local wizard about the efficacy of using whiskey on the gums to soothe a teething baby. We both agreed it must work. Our parents used it and obviously there were no deleterious effects; and so the clear next step was to sample some local fare to see whose whiskey was the superior baby balm. Distillery 291 came up immediately, being both award winning and locally owned. These are two qualities my 5 month old holds in great esteem. I booked a tour for Saturday afternoon When I arrived the bar was fun, casual, and stylish — again, things my baby looks for — and the employee who greeted us was friendly and encouraging. She said there were containers of pretzels and bottles of water to cleanse our palate between tastings, and we were free to take any pictures and ask any questions “Do you find that babies prefer the rye or the bourbon?” I asked She looked at me and laughed uncomfortably which I did find a little unprofessional as she specifically stated only moments before that we could ask any question. “The rye I suppose.” She showed us the mashing tanks and let my friend ascend the ladder. A man dropped his water bottle and everyone laughed at him. It spilled everywhere. “Do you think baby would like this whiskey chilled or at room temperature?” Again, the response was slow and confused “This isn’t for babies.” I do not know why but I sensed the group turning against me in that moment, and so I held my questions through the rest of the tour, until we were finishing up in the labeling room “Can you screw nipples onto these bottles?” I slurred, having at this time become slightly buzzed from the delightful tastings. I was then asked to leave. That was fine. I picked up a bottle of their American whiskey the at a local liquor store that evening, and since then, the little one has been sleeping like a dream. She also grew a beard. 10/10

Candy led us through a spectacular flagship whiskey tasting. She shared the distillery’s history and the story of each whiskey. Regulars stopped by throughout our tasting for cocktails. Candy balanced attention to completing their orders while continuing the story for the tasting. We picked up a few bottles to take back to Phoenix. Hopefully enough to keep us stocked until our next trip. We love the chill vibe of the tasting room. This is now one of our regular stops every time we are in the springs.

291 never disappoints. Ive been multiple times over several years since they were on the south side of town and they have the best black Manhattan I've ever had. Whiskey is the best in Colorado and drinks are EXTREMELY reasonable. I'd highly recommend to anyone in the area.

We made a special trip down to visit 291 and it did NOT disappoint. We did the full tasting and got to enjoy several wonderful and unique whiskeys. Beautifully aged with unique characteristics. Grant was extremely knowledgeable and passionate about what 291 is doing. He was helpful with tasting notes and helping us understand their process. Michael is also an incredible individual, filled with passion and commitment. We walked away new fans and life long loyalists. Adopted a few new babies for our whiskey shelf at home. We're excited to share with family and friends!

This place is my go to when in Colorado Springs. The whiskey is delicious but the staff there better.

My cousin and I did a tasting here, and the experience was awesome! Candy did a great job of giving us information and details while keeping things personable and fun! Highly recommend for people to stop by for some great whiskey.

Loved their old fashion here, my husband got a hot toddy and their drinks are fantastic. It was a nice environment and we will definitely be back again.

We didn't take the tour though we stayed and enjoyed some cocktails. I had a lovely Old Fashioned. I have to admit I wasn't so sure if I would like it while watching it being made. It. Was. Fantastic! I would definitely recommend! The place had a comfy-cool bar vibe. The bartender was informative in explaining all the different varieties in the custom ordered flight. We had a great time, made some purchases, and, definitely, would go back.

This place is top notch! Fantastic whiskey and Burbon. The atmosphere is ideal, and the tour is done very well. Extremely knowledgeable staff and very good prices. Highly recommend!

We just had the best distillery tour we've ever had. The whiskey is great and James provided a superb tour and informative conversation. Go and take this tour.

"Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whiskey is barely enough." - Mark Twain I prefer a good whiskey on the rocks, so when I had an opportunity to visit Distillery 291 during a work trip, I was very happy to stop by after my shift. The entrance area is cozy and I received a friendly greeting from the bartender. I have a tendency to get a flight (or two) with a new visit. I think I've earned an achievement badge for flight experience at tasting rooms. I'm not sure if I'm gonna have time to return, so why not try a bit of everything before flight departure? Beyond the bar confines, the space opens into the lounge area, where you can get a closer look of the distillery and white oak barrels. Stay for a moment to wax nostalgic of times before influencers, COVID-19 quarantines, and choosing beggars. Small batch, nano, or micro operations are very niche and I appreciate the local products they offer. If I was in town again, I would stop by Distillery 291 again.

This was a fabulous tour, really interesting. Dominic was a terrific guide and gave us insights on chemistry, process, history, marketing, and legal affairs! He has a great personality for the job. It was neither slow paced nor fast paced, just perfect. It was the best distillery tour we've ever had and we've had many. Highly recommend!

I've been a fan of the 291 brand for about 6 years now and finally got the chance to tour the facility. Dominic was an amazing guide and made the experience of the tour more enjoyable. The tasting room had a very rustic Colorado feel. It was a hard place to leave and I would recommend the tour to anyone visiting the CO Springs area.

Absolute must visit if you are in the Springs! We took the tour and sampled whiskies along the way! They have a great little shop to purchase your favorites when you are finished!

Learning the process and history behind 291's whiskey during the tour and tasting was a great experience! The Decc is a great buy for non-whiskey drinkers, and I will definitely be back for gifts for the whiskey lovers in my life.

Just...GO!!! Ok, if you want more than that, I'll share a bit about our experience. My brother sent me a bottle of their Colorado Whiskey for Christmas. It was a hit at a Whiskey party at my house with some tough customers. We sampled 26 bottles and this came in third behind Garrison Brothers and Van Winkle 12-year-old. That's pretty hefty company for 291. Many of the guys had no idea it was a rye. It's so smooth and balanced. WOW! So, I had to go! We had a glorious tasting tour conducted by the effervescent Kandi. We added on the E whiskey too. That was so good, I brought a bottle home. She also mixed us a couple of lovely cocktails after the flight. This place has got it going ON. The story of the founder and how he started the company is great too. We enjoyed the whiskeys and the stories. Thank you, Kandi. We'll be back. You made us feel right at home!

outstanding experience. had a great time with the professional, knowledgeable and courteous staff. Kudos to Corey and Dominic, thanks for making tour and tasting the highlight of our Colorado Springs visit.

Did a tasting tour. Grant was out tour guide. He had extensive tasting knowledge. The distillery had live music.

The very best whiskey, locally owned and operated. Very friendly staff, great service. The atmosphere and ambiance is really chill and down to earth. Bartending service is excellent.

I know, I know their whisky is expensive. BUT, it's so worth it! They win awards for a reason and I highly recommend going in person for the cool hangout and tour area. They are friendly and excited about their product. I've been drinking whisky for years from everywhere in the world and this is still one of my favorites.

We had a great tour and sampling experience thanks to the impressive staff. Highly recommend!

Very aesthetically pleasing. Would be great for a business meeting/ to impress outof towners. (Honestly we thought it wasn't open-because it looks like a warehouse on the outside but the inside is completely different!) Bourbon flight was great for my husband and honestly as someone who loves a bourbon mule it was the best I ever had. (Last minute my husband decided to have an old fashioned- very good decision in my opinion and he was very happy with it). Owner happened to be there and his story is pretty awesome if you're able to catch it. Worth a visit in my opinion!

My friend and I had an amazing experience. We kinda arrived a little late, but they said it was ok. It was a nice ambiance with pretty lights and heaters & a whole 10 bottles of . I honestly never liked whiskey until I had some in Colorado. The first 4 bottles were considered "bourbon" and we really enjoyed it. Renee really went into depth about the 291 Colorado whiskeys' . Every whiskey we tried had a very unique taste. I appreciated the history of the 291 distillery. Renee had a witty and funny sense of humor while we were tasting all the whiskeys'. She described some notes that we might taste and she was on point. At the end of the tasting, we received 2 free glasses. We were sooo stoked & we will be coming back for more. Thank you so much !

Great relaxing place to visit in Colorado. Bartender was great and atmosphere was chill.

I have been a connoisseur of good whiskey for years. I recently had the opportunity to tour and taste Distillery 291 with relatives. The small batch whiskey and other whiskey's we sampled were outstanding. Indeed, it was some of the best bourbon I have ever enjoyed! Our thanks to Emily Rhoades, the Market Development Director for her warm and friendly tour of the process. My relatives are already buying more for Christmas gifts! If you haven't taken the time to enjoy 291 Bourbon, I recommend you give it a try. You won't be disappointed!

The 291 whiskey tour and tasting is an amazing experience for anyone that loves whiskey and looking for something fun to do for just a few hours. Grant the tour guide is super cool and knowledgeable. It was really great to learn about the history of 291 and how the name was chosen. After visiting several distilleries in Scotland, I'm super thrilled to have such an amazing whiskey distillery in my own backyard of Colorado Springs. The sampling of whiskeys is a fun personal experience and highly recommended. Will definitely return again.

We recently had the pleasure of visiting the Distillery 291 as a Father's Day gift. Emily was very informative and we enjoyed talking with her and learning so much more than we knew about the distillery business. She was like talking with someone you've known for awhile. The tasting of the varieties was not only interesting and we learned a great deal, but it was fun to taste all them in order. She had extensive knowledge!

Top notch establishment...friendly, knowledgeable, great tasting varietal blends of whiskeys and Rhys. A must visit if you are in the area. My advise, take home a bottle or two. Do the flight tasting-Emily educated us on the blends and flavors of all offered. Musical events offered. They can mix custom cocktails as well.

I have to say I really think it was over priced for the quality. Nothing is aged very long. The sample you get are too small to really know. I bought a very expensive bottle but the more I drank the less I liked it. Lessons learned. It's worth the stop but a little pricey for the quality.

Great experience with the whisky tasting. We loved being able to hear about the story and understand the process. Very unique small space to enjoy the tasting and a drink. Also really enjoyed our bartender she had an awesome personality and she was very informative.

Stopped by this afternoon and checked out the new location. Great atmosphere, awesome staff and fairly priced drinks! Will be back again!!

Their tour is downright awesome. The history and passion that they bring to the table makes you want to love their whiskeys as much as they do. Very informative so any beginner can get the hang of the process. Where else can you taste 8 whiskeys for $10 then have that credited towards the purchase of a bottle or merch?! I went home with a bottle of each of their barrel strength and a smile. Thanks!

We kind of happened on this place while looking for the distillery down the street- very glad we did! It's definitely better than what we were looking for. The whiskey is good, I had a mixed drink that was very good. The bf had an old fashioned he really liked. The first bar tender was a bit of a turd and we weren't going to stay for a second round but a new bartender came in and she was great! There are whiskey flights for tasting, mixed cocktails, and the has wastle (warm apple cider and whiskey). The place has an industrial feel. You can stand at the bar at the front or there's a sitting room close to the barrels in the back (super cool decor). We'll be back!

We were told about the distillery and we were super excited to stop in and do some tastings and buy some. Well... make sure you call for a reservation because you can't taste without one! Also, it is in a industrial park with absolutely no signs letting you know where it is... I love whiskey but wasn't going to drop even $20 for a tiny little bottle that was available to buy without tasting it. Hopefully you guys get it together!

What a fun stop! This place has been on my list for a while and I finally got around to checking them out. $10 to taste through 8 whiskeys, basically 2 recipes (majority corn based bourbon and a rye based whiskey). They recently won "worlds best whiskey" for their rye at the World of Whiskey in London, which is a blind tasting competition. That alone should be more than enough reason to check out out 291. Here's one more reason...in addition to oak aged whiskey they also put in toasted Aspen staves for the last bit of aging to give it a unique finish, something nobody else is doing that I'm aware of. All of their whiskey is distilled, aged, and bottled right behind the tasting room.

OMG this place is amazing!!! I am not a whiskey drink, but I am now! Montana taught me the ingenuity and amazing talent that goes into creating an amazing whiskey! Found my new favorite place!

Tripped in here on recommendation and so glad we listened Very cool distillery, especially compared to other tour/tastings we've been on Philip was there and we had the pleasure to taste all of their products and then he put a spin on it an will make you a drink using the products off what he learns you like What a great time and product!! Thank you Philip for making our trip to Colorado Springs fun & memorable Definitely recommend to locals and tourists alike it will not disappoint

Horribly rude bartender. Over-priced drinks that were not very good. I would recommend against this establishment.

Damn I love their Whiskey. The Bourbon to be exact. This place is really a strange dichotomy for me. They have INCREDIBLE whiskey. But it's almost like they created their tasting room as a middle finger to anybody who likes their stuff. If you combined the mens and women's bathroom (kidding they only have 1 I believe), it would be larger than their tasting room.. They have plenty of room - it was a conscious choice on their part and that's disappointing. Not only is their whiskey good, their drinks are incredible. But I'd go across the street to Axe and Oak in a heartbeat. I really, really hope - these guys will take some of that big ass warehouse space they've wasted (just look in the back, see the couches, etc) and open a tasting room their fans would love to hang out in. Cause I'll prob never go back - even though it's still my favorite whiskey for a special occasion.

Top notch cocktails with top notch service. For cocktails, try the georgia mint julip and the man fashion. For whiskey, get the full tasting flight! Incredible whiskey! Love this place.

Went for a whiskey tasting and it was a fantastic experience! The owner and staff went out of their way to make sure we had an awesome experience - and we did. Our guide Lee was very knowledgeable and generally made it a fun experience, and all of the drinks were great! We would definitely come back again!

Such a great find!! We did the tour, which was very informative. Lots of interesting information about the history of the distillery. The tour comes with a tasting flight, which is a good bargain. The price of the tour is also given in credit if you buy a bottle. Which we did. (Actually 3 bottles). A great spot even if you are a whiskey novice. Highly recommend.

Best fun I've had in my five visits to Colorado Springs - The whisky and mixed cocktails are superb. Phillip, behind the counter, made the evening. He was extraordinarily articulate, passionate, charming, and devastatingly funny. The Manhattan he made for me was divine. What the Distillery does is offer a flight of seven 1/4 oz. tastings of the whisky that they distill in the back and offers mixed whisky-based drinks. You can buy bottles of whisky there, too.

Following COVID guidelines we couldn't sit inside. However, we bought an empty cask/barrel, ready to drink cocktails in a sealed jar, and of course spirits! Great place and a definite place to visit.

Do not recommend. My wife and I recently moved to the area and were excited to check out the local distillery and do a tasting (especially since the bottles are slightly more expensive and they have a wide range of products). We read reviews and information from the website which mentioned you can do tastings any time when they are open. This is not exactly true. Upon arriving mid-afternoon on a Sunday, we were informed that the tasting can only be done as a guided experience. The server indicated she could only do one tasting at a time and another pair had just started and was on their second pour, so it would be another 40 minutes before we would be able start the 45 minutes long tasting. The server suggested we come back mid-week if we wanted to do a tasting. Having made a trip across town to visit (and having eventually found parking, which is difficult with the current construction in the area) we were thoroughly disappointed with this response. While we were provided the opportunity to order a cocktail, we both wanted to taste the lineup so we could better understand their whiskeys. We ended up leaving because we did not want to wait 40 minutes sitting at the bar. If the tasting room had couches or anything besides a smaller bar top, perhaps it could have been managed.

Great little place to sip on some whisky and have a conversation with someone. I enjoyed the tasting and background story provided by the pourer. Prices are very reasonable, parking could be a challenge if they are busy. Smells are wonderful in there.

I'm so glad I decided to try Distillery 291. I was looking for a place to take my husband Bourbon tasting for his birthday. The distillery just moved to their new Nevada location, and won't have tasting until March. However, I had the most amazing interaction with the staff and ordered "to go" Bourbon tasting flasks that we will sample at home. We will definitely return in the near future. Such a positive environment.

If I could give this place a zero, I would. The dark brown haired bartender was so rude to us and acted like she was doing us a favor by serving us her over-priced drinks - which she took forever to make. I highly recommend skipping this place due to the uppity attitude and high prices.

I really wanted to like this place. Beer, wine, and spirits have long been a passionate study for me. Although I am deeply entrenched in a disparate career path, I have managed to remain a part of the industry. I am a US Bartenders' Guild member, I ran bars in foreign countries, and I maintain an advisory role in the industry. I was thrilled when I discovered that a new distillery had opened in my hometown, which has expanded tremendously in the years since I moved away. The rudeness with which our group was greeted from the moment we entered the door was enough that immediately everyone wanted to leave. I lingered, requesting a tasting, still holding out hope that I might salvage the experience. When my wife suggested that we order only one tasting and that she take sips occasionally, she was sternly warned that "we don't do that here". I couldn't persuade anyone in my group to wait for me to complete a tasting after that. I travel frequently and I routinely purchase expensive and rare spirits (I've traveled to three countries and numerous US states on just this trip and managed to stuff five bottles in my suitcase), but when I can't try something, I try to research it exhaustively. Unfortunately I cannot comment on the quality of the products at Distillery 291 because I never got to try any. My favorite local liquor store carries three of their whiskeys at $98 price point, which is quite high for a new product entering the market. The way this distillery represents their brand to customers makes their products unpalatable because we live in a great time in whiskey history where there is abundance of excellent products and we're not confined to a single brand. So despite my nostalgia for my hometown, which might have been enough for me to purchase a bottle that was made there, I'm giving this one a pass and I'm cautioning others to give it a pass as well. The building the distillery now operates in was an auction house that my father used to bid at regularly when I was a child. They were far more welcoming and I wish they were still there instead.

This was my first official stop on the Colorado Spirits Trail. Emily was behind the bar and not only was she well versed on what I was doing with the Spirits Trail she was enthusiastic about the products at 291. The distillery and all of their products are clearly a work of deep passion from the distiller Michael. If you like whiskey (and even of you dont) give this place a try, you will not regret it and you may even grow to love whiskey in all of its glory.

291 makes one of the best whiskies I've ever had (the "Colorado Whiskey"), and they make a smooth moonshine as well (the "White Dog"). We popped in the other night to their tasting room and were greeted at the small bar by Phillip. He was super rad, whips up a great cocktail, and knows a ton about whiskey. It is awesome having a great distillery here in The Springs. I think we sometimes overlook other drinks because we're surrounded by all these craft breweries. The cocktails were all $10, which is a fair price especially seeing as how the spirits that 291 makes are truly "top-shelf". You can't go wrong with the "Colorado Old Fashioned" or the "Whiskarita". 291 will be expanding their tasting room very soon. It will definitely be a place I go to again. My wife and I have already bragged about our experience.

This place made me a lover of whiskey. Plus being within walking distance of home, the tasting room is a nice treat from time to time as it's only open Thurs/Fri/Sat. Great addition to the neighborhood and a big part of what makes Ivywild great.

Stopped here on a whim the other night. I had some cocktails and the guys had a flight. Best Mint julep ever and the service was phenomenal. Montana knows her stuff!! Bought a bottle. Highly recommend the flight and put it towards a bottle!! May have found our new go to.

We were in town for an Air Force Reunion, stopped by to check the place out. Had an excellent time--not only was Montana, our bartender, passionate about the distillery but she made a mean old fashioned. My boyfriend did a tasting where she explained each selection in detail. We had an excellent time and left with a bottle of Colorado. Highly recommend and next time we are in town, we will be back. Very cool spot!

Excellent whiskey. Fantastic bartender. Phenomenal dog. But the atmosphere was confusing. Warm, inviting, suave... and then there are the slushy machines. You heard (read) me right, SLUSHY MACHINES. Like a gotdamn 7-11. You know, in case you wandered in and really meant to go to a Fat Tuesdays, or Tropical Isle. Tacky. Tacky AF. If I want kiddie blender drinks, I'll go to TGI Fridays. Thanks.