Laws Whiskey House San Luis Valley Straight Rye Whiskey
Laws Whiskey House San Luis Valley Straight Rye Whiskey is Colorado rye from 8,000 feet up — a 47.5% ABV (95 proof), 750mL straight rye made from 100% heirloom rye (half raw, half malted) grown by the Cody family in the San Luis Valley. Laws Whiskey House in Denver mills, cooks, ferments, distills and ages everything on-site, grain to glass, and rests this rye more than three years in new 53-gallon charred oak barrels. The altitude-grown grain shows: floral and perfumed aromatics, black tea and salted toffee, and a radiant green-peppercorn finish. Double Gold at the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 47.5% (95 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Mash bill: 100% heirloom rye (50% raw / 50% malted)
- Aging: 3+ years in new 53-gallon charred oak
- Grain: Cody family farm, San Luis Valley, Colorado (~8,000 ft)
- Distillery: Laws Whiskey House, Denver — grain-to-glass, est. 2011
- Awards: Double Gold, 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition
Rye From 8,000 Feet
The Cody family has farmed the San Luis Valley since the 1930s, growing a semi-wild heirloom rye at elevations where the grain ripens slowly and picks up uncommon depth. Laws ferments it open-air and runs it through a copper pot-column still, then lets charred oak do the rest. Alongside our rye whiskey shelf it stands out for that high-altitude floral character — and the Laws Whiskey House collection has its bourbons and bottled-in-bond rye for comparison.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Floral and perfumed — baking spice, orange oil. Palate: Black tea, sweet mint, salted toffee, orange peel, stewed fig. Finish: Radiant green peppercorn, long and warming.
How to Enjoy
Neat or with a splash of water to open the floral aromatics. At 95 proof it is a superb Manhattan rye — the spice stands up to sweet vermouth beautifully.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes it "San Luis Valley" rye? The grain: 100% heirloom rye grown by the Cody family at roughly 8,000 feet in Colorado's San Luis Valley, distilled grain-to-glass by Laws in Denver.
What is heirloom rye? Older, non-hybridized rye varietals — in this case a semi-wild strain the Cody family has cultivated since the 1930s, malted 50% and used raw 50%.
How long is it aged? More than three years in new 53-gallon charred oak barrels.
High-altitude rye with a peppercorn kick — order Laws San Luis Valley Straight Rye Whiskey online from Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.