In the crisp mountain air of Golden, Colorado, where the Rockies rise like silent guardians, a new kind of adventure is being poured into bottles. It's not just another distillery opening its doors—it's a guy chasing the rush of a full moon ski run through untouched snow, turning that raw thrill into something you can sip by a fire back home. Callan DeLine, the man behind Hoot + Howl Spirits, didn't set out to build a business. He set out to capture a feeling: that wild, heart-pounding joy of backcountry nights with buddies, where the world feels big and untamed. Now, for the first time, folks across the country can grab a taste of it without lacing up skis or booking a flight to the high country.
Picture this: It's a clear winter night in the Colorado wilderness. The moon hangs low, casting silver light on powder so deep it swallows your tracks. You're gliding through pines that whisper in the wind, laughter echoing off the peaks as your crew pushes deeper into the unknown. That's the spark that lit the fuse for Hoot + Howl. DeLine, a local who's spent more time in those mountains than most, found himself hooked on that sense of freedom—the kind that hits you square in the chest and leaves you grinning like a fool. But life pulls you back to the flatlands eventually, and he wanted a way to hold onto it. "Hoot + Howl Spirits was inspired by my time spent full moon back country skiing with friends in Colorado’s wilderness," DeLine shared in a recent statement. "I wanted a way to bottle that wild joy we felt, so I spent years studying distilling tradition and crafting recipes that capture the spirit of the mountains—and now, people all over the country can taste the Colorado adventure."
What started as a personal quest has grown into Colorado's freshest voice in the spirits world. Hoot + Howl isn't about churning out mass-market booze; it's about digging into the old ways, the forgotten tricks of distillers from centuries back, and giving them a modern twist that honors the land. Golden, a town that's equal parts historic mining outpost and craft beer haven, feels like the perfect spot for this operation. Tucked against the foothills, it's where the Front Range meets the wild, and DeLine's setup draws straight from that energy. The distillery's lineup isn't your standard shelf filler—it's a collection of spirits that surprise and satisfy, each one built with ingredients that scream quality and techniques that demand time.
Take their Armagnac Cask Bourbon, for instance. This isn't some quick-aged number rushed to market. They double distill it, letting the vapors rise slow and steady, then curve the temperatures just right to coax out layers of flavor without the harsh bite. And tranchage? That's an old-school French move where they cut the spirit with water in stages, almost like tempering chocolate, to smooth it all out into something mellow and deep. The result is a bourbon that finishes in Armagnac casks—those robust barrels from France's Gascony region, known for their rich, fruity brandies. It picks up notes of plum and spice, with a warmth that lingers like a good story around the campfire. No wonder it snagged a silver medal at a recent competition, and even tied for Best of Colorado. Pour it neat after a long day, and it's like the mountains are calling you back.
Then there's the Amaro Finished Bourbon, another silver medal winner that's got folks talking. They take their base bourbon and let it rest in casks that once held amaro, that bittersweet Italian digestif packed with herbs and roots. It's a bold play—herbal edges cutting through the sweet corn backbone, turning what could be straightforward into a conversation starter. Imagine nursing one on the rocks while swapping tales from the trail; the bitterness up front gives way to a soft, earthy finish that pulls you in for another sip. These awards aren't flukes—they're proof that Hoot + Howl's sticking to principles in a world of shortcuts.
But bourbon's just the gateway. DeLine and his head distiller, Chris Ritenour, aren't afraid to roam. Their vodka starts with the same patient double distillation, using grains sourced close enough to feel the Colorado soil in every drop. It's clean but not sterile—subtle wheat whispers and a mouthfeel that's silky, perfect for a simple tonic on a porch swing. The gin? That's where the mountains really shine through. Infused with local botanicals like juniper from the high slopes and hints of pine that nod to those ski runs, it's got a crisp, forest-floor bite balanced by citrus brightness. Mix it into a martini, and you're transported; straight up, it's a hike in a glass.
Don't sleep on the Black Tea Liqueur, either. This one's a curveball—a rich, malty brew steeped from assam leaves, sweetened just enough to play nice in cocktails but bold enough to stand alone. It's got that smoky depth from slow extraction, evoking campfires under starlit skies. And the Triple Sec? Crafted with bitter orange peels and a touch of spice, it's brighter than your average orange liqueur, cutting through margaritas or palomas with precision. Ritenour, who's got the steady hands of a guy who's measured more batches than most, oversees it all, blending DeLine's wild ideas with the kind of precision that turns inspiration into consistency.
What sets Hoot + Howl apart isn't just the recipes—it's the why. In an industry chasing trends, they're doubling down on tradition. Double distillation means fewer impurities, more nuance; those slow temperature curves let flavors marry without rushing; tranchage ensures every pour is balanced, not boozy. It's labor-intensive, sure—more time in the stills, more watching the gauges—but that's the point. These spirits aren't made for speed. They're for guys who appreciate the long game, the build-up to that perfect moment. DeLine spent years poring over dusty tomes and tinkering in makeshift setups before Golden's doors even opened. Ritenour, with his background in the trenches of craft distilling, brings the muscle to make it real. Together, they've built a place where exceptional ingredients—local grains, wild-foraged touches—meet thoughtful practices that spark real delight.
Up until now, Hoot + Howl has been Colorado's best-kept secret. You could find their bottles in shops from Denver dives to Boulder farm stands, where locals would nod knowingly over a pour. But that changes today. The distillery just flipped the switch on nationwide online sales, shipping their full lineup straight to your door. Armagnac Cask Bourbon, that medal-hauling star? Check. The Amaro Finished for when you want something with a twist? Right there. Vodka for the everyday, gin for the adventures, Black Tea Liqueur for late-night experiments, Triple Sec to elevate your game—it's all available now, no plane ticket required. Fire up their site at hootandhowl.co, punch in your zip, and you're in. It's a game-changer for anyone who's ever felt the pull of those peaks but can't drop everything for a weekend escape.
Think about what that means for your next gathering. That backyard barbecue turning into an all-nighter? Line up the gin with some fresh limes and soda—sudden outbursts of stories from 'the one that got away' on the slopes. Or crack the bourbon after mowing the lawn on a Saturday, letting the Armagnac notes unwind the knots from a week at the desk. Hoot + Howl isn't peddling nostalgia; it's bottling the untamed side we all chase in quieter ways—the thrill of a well-earned rest, the camaraderie of shared sips. DeLine's vision was never small; it was about sharing that Colorado rush, the one that makes you feel alive.
As Hoot + Howl steps onto the national stage, it's worth pausing on what makes Golden tick. This town's got roots in the gold rush days, when prospectors traded dreams for dust, but today it's a hub for makers—brewers, bakers, and now distillers—who draw from the land's grit. The distillery sits right in that mix, a low-slung building with views that stretch to the continental divide. Inside, the air hums with the sweet tang of fermenting mash and the faint char of oak. DeLine, ever the storyteller, often wanders the floor chatting with visitors about the ski trips that birthed it all. Ritenour's in the thick of it, adjusting valves and tasting runs, his focus laser-sharp on getting every detail right.
For those planning a pilgrimage, Colorado's craft scene is worth the haul. Pair a Hoot + Howl tasting with a drive up Clear Creek Canyon, stopping at roadside pullouts to breathe in the pine-scented air. Or hit the trails around Golden—easy loops for a morning hike, tougher grinds that leave you parched and ready for a reward. Back in the distillery, tours aren't scripted affairs; they're casual walks through the process, with DeLine or Ritenour dropping nuggets on why patience beats perfection every time. And if you're stateside, the online drop means you can stock up without the jet lag, maybe even sync a virtual tasting with some mountain footage to amp the vibe.
Looking ahead, DeLine hints at more experiments on the horizon—maybe a rye that channels fall hunts or a liqueur pulling from summer wildflowers. But the core stays true: spirits that elicit those spontaneous whoops and hollers, the kind that sneak up on you mid-sip. In a lineup crowded with flash, Hoot + Howl stands out by leaning into the slow burn, the deep roots. It's for the man who's logged enough miles to know real reward doesn't come quick. Grab a bottle, raise a glass to the wild places, and let the adventure unfold—one pour at a time.
Whether you're restocking the bar cart or hunting a gift that says 'I get it,' Hoot + Howl delivers. Head to their site, explore the drops, and taste why Colorado's newest distillery is already rewriting the map. The mountains might be far, but that joy? It's closer than ever.
