Laws Whiskey House San Luis Valley Straight Bonded Rye Whiskey
Laws Whiskey House San Luis Valley Straight Bonded Rye Whiskey is Colorado's first bottled-in-bond rye — a 50% ABV (100 proof), 750mL straight rye that meets the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897 to the letter: one distiller (Laws), one season's grain, aged in a federally bonded rickhouse, bottled at exactly 100 proof. The mash bill is 95% heirloom rye with 5% heirloom barley, all from the San Luis Valley, aged at least six years (batch-dependent — some releases run seven-plus). Against the standard San Luis Valley rye (95 proof, 100% rye, 3+ years), the bonded is deeper and more composed: sweet grass and honey, cooling wild mint and fennel, sea salt, orange tea and brown sugar, with tobacco and a rich, buttery mouthfeel. Best American Rye Whiskey (12 years and under) at the 2020 World Whiskies Awards. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 50% (100 proof — bottled-in-bond)
- Size: 750mL
- Mash bill: 95% heirloom rye + 5% heirloom barley
- Aging: 6+ years, batch-dependent (some releases 7+)
- Bond: Single distiller, single-season grain, federally bonded rickhouse — Colorado's first bottled-in-bond rye
- Distillery: Laws Whiskey House, Denver — grain-to-glass
- Awards: Best American Rye (12 & under), 2020 World Whiskies Awards
Colorado's First Bottled-in-Bond Rye
The 1897 Bottled-in-Bond Act was written to guarantee authenticity — one distillery, one season, full government supervision — and Laws claimed it for Colorado rye first. Each annual batch comes from a single distilling season's grain, and the extra years in the bonded rickhouse turn the high-altitude heirloom rye into something patient and layered. Compare it with the standard bottling in our rye whiskey range, or browse the full Laws Whiskey House collection.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Sweet grass, honey, a hint of brine. Palate: Cooling wild mint and fennel, sea salt, orange tea, brown sugar; tobacco and rich butter. Finish: Long, warm, structured.
How to Enjoy
This is a neat-pour whiskey — 100 proof with the balance to carry it. A few drops of water open the mint and honey; save it from cocktails and let the bonded character speak.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "bottled-in-bond" mean? A U.S. legal designation from 1897: the whiskey comes from one distiller in one distilling season, is aged at least four years in a federally bonded warehouse, and is bottled at exactly 100 proof.
How is it different from the regular San Luis Valley rye? The bonded is 100 proof (vs 95), uses 95% rye + 5% heirloom barley (vs 100% rye), and ages 6+ years from a single season's grain (vs 3+ years, multi-barrel).
How old is it? At least six years; age varies by annual batch, with some releases at seven-plus years.
Bonded, bold, and bottled at exactly 100 proof — order Laws San Luis Valley Straight Bonded Rye Whiskey online at Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.