After a crash course in the whiskey-making process, you’re taken on a tour of the distillery to see it in action. Between the fragrance of mash, the heat from the steaming pots, and the sight of bubbling yeast, it’s truly an immersive experience. In the spirit of a family-run business, Laws Whiskey uses only heirloom and heritage grown grains from two Colorado family farms. With sustainability in mind, waste from the production process is then recycled as animal feed and the cycle begins anew.
Al and Wife/Co-Founder Marianne insist on a no shortcut approach to their business. In fact, Laws was operating for three years before a sip of whiskey was ready to be drunk. Their patience, practicality and smarts—it certainly helps Al is a former Wall Street Economist—have paid off and it’s evident their Brooklyn-baked idea worked. But the frank reality is as they’ve grown, so have their needs.
“It was a big change for me, coming from the high-stress finance world,” said Al. “I had to learn to relax, slow down and not scare people away with my intensity. That would be my advice to other small businesses. It’s great to start out with a lot of enthusiasm, but as your business matures, you have to mature and change with it.” Laws expands, “Now that our business is established, we need people with different skill sets. It’s hard to maintain the same company culture as you expand, but it’s necessary for the growth of the business. The people that helped in the beginning may not be the right fit today. Don’t be afraid to make those changes.”
Vectra Bank Colorado has been privileged to support Laws from their early stages until today, assisting with both simple and complex transactions. Their newest Vectra-backed tasting room is a delightful testament to their 13-year success. Their original tasting room was intended to be a storage space, after all. “Vectra Bank has been a great partner for us,” said Al. “We love the personal attention and working with a local bank that understands what we’re trying to accomplish. My banker is down to earth and empathetic. They educate us on products and services that can benefit our business but don’t make promises they can’t deliver. I really appreciate that about Vectra Bank.”
The dark and dramatic new space, reminiscent of the charred interior of their 53-gallon oak barrels, allows patrons to delight in amber hued whiskey samplings and cocktails. Found at the top of a metal spiral staircase, the cocktail bar offers views west and (gasp!) ample parking. The building’s architecture is based on the Brutalist style—harsh and simple, but remarkably warm—just like whiskey.
Laws Whiskey House’s new tasting room is now open, but if you can’t make it to Denver, visit them online to order.
