{"id":30147,"date":"2023-12-16T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-12-16T19:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/a-sip-of-mccardells-private-reserve\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T01:12:26","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T07:12:26","slug":"a-sip-of-mccardells-private-reserve","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/a-sip-of-mccardells-private-reserve\/","title":{"rendered":"A sip of McCardell\u2019s Private Reserve"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"Michael
Michael McCardell, co-owner of Durango Craft Spirits, showcases his newest spirit, a limited edition McCardell\u2019s Private Reserve American Single Malt Whiskey on Wednesday. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>Jerry McBride<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Every distillery has a story, Michael McCardell says. Some parts are truth, other parts fiction. But over time, they become consecrated gospel.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a true story of Amy and I\u2019s dream to open this distillery, the first legal distillery in Durango,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

He and his wife, Amy McCardell, own Durango Craft Spirits. The story in question is printed on the back of the limited edition bottles of whiskey released at a party Friday in the couple\u2019s tasting room, above their distillery.<\/p>\n

In an intimate gathering of loyal patrons, McCardell was sparse with words.<\/p>\n

\"Michael
Michael McCardell, right front and Amy McCardell, owners of Durango Craft Spirits, and son Ryan McCardell, celebrate on Friday, Dec., 15, 2023, the release of Michael\u2019s newest spirit, McCardell\u2019s Private Reserve American Single Malt Whiskey, at the distillery with friends. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>Jerry McBride<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

\u201cThank you all \u2013 cheers,\u201d he said, as the crowd sampled McCardell\u2019s Private Reserve American Single Malt Whiskey.<\/p>\n

The spirit is the distillery\u2019s first single-malt whiskey and the first limited release. The 4-year old pet project has yielded just 500 bottles of what the spirit maker says is his best whiskey yet.<\/p>\n

The Cinder Dick Straight Bourbon and Tinhorn Blue Corn Bourbon Whiskey, the distillery\u2019s two flagship spirits, are distilled from 65% corn and aged, like all bourbons, in new charred oak barrels.<\/p>\n

In true fashion, the private reserve whiskey is made with ingredients sourced within the state. The malted barley \u2013 the only grain used in the process \u2013 was crafted by Colorado Malting Co. in Alamosa.<\/p>\n

He worked with the Cody family, which owns the malting company, to select the Lambic malt and said he\u2019s unaware of anyone else using it.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I made this, distilling it, it was the most incredible smell in the distillery I\u2019ve ever had,\u201d McCardell said.<\/p>\n

The private reserve whiskey sat in used Cinder Dick barrels for four years. As the temperatures in his rickhouse fluctuated each day, so too did the porous oak of the barrels, contracting and expanding, absorbing the spirit and flushing it back out.<\/p>\n

It makes \u201cideal conditions for aging whiskeys,\u201d the distiller said.<\/p>\n

McCardell gives the final product a rave review. It\u2019s smooth and light, with hints of smoke and fruit. And the 100-proof spirit goes down \u201clike drinking water.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\u201cWhen
\u201cWhen I made this, distilling it, it was the most incredible smell in the distillery I\u2019ve ever had,\u201d said Michael McCardell, co-owner of Durango Craft Spirits. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>Jerry McBride<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Of course, the real reviews are up to the professionals, and McCardell is excited to hear what they have to say.<\/p>\n

\u201cThose guys really know their palates and don\u2019t sugarcoat it,\u201d he said. \u201cIf they don\u2019t like it, they\u2019ll let you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

Many of the attendees at Friday\u2019s release were longtime friends of the distillery, and had been sampling the whiskey over the years. Still, patrons were eager to taste the final product.<\/p>\n

\u201cSmooth,\u201d \u201cvelvety,\u201d \u201clike a light scotch,\u201d drinkers said from around a table.<\/p>\n

Despite his pride for the product, McCardell was shy about putting his own name on the bottle.<\/p>\n

The idea came from a friend, he said, and became a reality as time ran short and no other obvious name emerged. While the names of their other spirits reference Durango\u2019s historic characteristics \u2013 the train, mining and a once-thriving sex trade \u2013 McCardell says the eponymous branding speaks to the mission he and his wife set out to accomplish.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur whole goal when we opened this was to produce the best-tasting spirits we could possibly produce,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd I think we\u2019ve lived up to that. I think we\u2019ve produced some spectacular spirits.\u201d<\/p>\n

McCardell eloquently gushes when describing his \u201cgrain-to-glass\u201d operation. Too many distilleries buy product from large producers, blend it with something else and put a new name on it, he said.<\/p>\n

If the awards draped over bottles in a case by the tasting room door are any indication, the McCardells\u2019 purist attitude is paying off.<\/p>\n

With just two casks of the new release in his so-called private reserve, McCardell expects the 500 bottles to sell out within about two months, or perhaps even by the end of the year.<\/p>\n

Once it sells out? Well, McCardell says customers will have to wait another four years. He intends to make another private reserve batch, this time with more smoky flavor and a few more barrels to go around.<\/p>\n

\"There
There are just 500 bottles of the limited edition McCardell\u2019s Private Reserve American Single Malt Whiskey, for sale only at Durango Craft Spirits. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>Jerry McBride<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Bottles of McCardell\u2019s Private Reserve American Single Malt Whiskey cost $100 and are available for purchase only at the distillery and tasting room on the corner of East 11th Street and East Main Avenue. The bar will serve the single malt whiskey as well, although only neat and or over a rock.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d hate to screw up the flavor of this by putting any kind of mixer in it,\u201d he said. \u201cA lot of work went into just getting this dialed in.\u201d<\/p>\n

rschafir@durangoherald.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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