With football fans in the general state of high spirits, what else could the Denver Broncos do than bottle an actual spirit to keep them even happier. That’s where Breckenridge Distillery comes in. Now in year two of creating the official whiskey of the Broncos, adults who love their team have another reason to cheer.
Creating the Official Broncos Bourbon
Once the team got the green light to partner with a spirits brand the first one that came to mind was the already well-known and popular Breckenridge Distillery. The distillery’s CEO and founder, Bryan Nolt, thought a Broncos-themed release would work great, and by 2021 the idea became a reality.
Now, Breckenridge Distillery is in its second year of releasing two unique whiskey blends for each football season. To make the yearly blend, Nolt and master distiller Hans Stafsholt pair up with former Broncos players. This year, Ed McCaffery (who we interviewed about his favorite restaurants) and Randy Gradishar had the honor, with McCaffery represented in the orange bottle, and Gradishar in the blue.
Retailing for $42.99, each bottle sports an orange or blue label, noting the separate blends. Not only does this add even more big Bronco energy to the labeling, but it gives imbibers the chance to sip a favorite color in the most festive way possible.
Blue and Orange, a Separate Taste in Each Bottle
Unlike the recent game I watched between the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos, Breckenridge doesn’t expect one bottle to win the game. Both sing in different ways, and can be enjoyed by any whiskey fan.
As a personal fan of whiskey, I agree. During the aforementioned game on October 27 at Empower Field, I got the opportunity to try both blends. The first tip was done in a small plastic shot glass during tailgating. Then, I moved up to the exclusive and lavish Breckenridge Bourbon Club inside the stadium to try a classic Old Fashioned. Yes, both colors were tested, and I can say both flavor profiles work well in the cocktail.
In regards to said tasting notes, the orange offers nuances of toasted almond and orange biscotti on the nose. On the palate, find the essence of lightly toasted nuts and dry oak with a creamy finish. For the blue, a deep sniff brings to mind caramel, citrus zest, and oak, and a sip leans toward flavors of vanilla, more caramel, and a bit of white pepper.
They Can Throw a Ball, But Can They Blend Whiskey?
The former Broncos players who crafted each blend are not professional distillers. In fact, Nolt, who started Breckenridge Distillery, is also not a professional distiller. He was, and still is, a doctor.
“It was really sort of starting from scratch with the alumni,” said Jesse Unruh, marketing director for Breckenridge Distillery, who noted picking out specific flavors can be challenging if you don’t have a refined palate or practice. “We worked to teach them the exact process of how we blend our barrels and then helped them put something together for each Broncos Blend.”
To train the palate, Hans and Nolt teach the players how to smell, taste, and pick out specific flavor profiles from each barrel. Then, McCaffery and Gradishar were offered four barrels to choose from and blend together.
Throughout the process, Nolt and Hans were there to guide the players. However, McCaffery and Gradishar led the way in choosing their main preferences and tastes. That’s why the blends this year have two fairly distinct and different flavor profiles.
This year’s blends also sport a slightly higher proof than previous years, for a very specific reason. Normally the blends run 86-proof. However this year, it’s 87-proof in honor of Gradishar’s jersey number and his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Find the Broncos Blend Bourbon in local spirit shops, as well as online. For those who want some more inspiration for cocktails to make with the liquor, try the Bronco Billie or the Bronco Slush, which uses orange soda syrup. And for those who want to cheers with a Broncos-themed drink, there’s also a branded bottle of vodka. Just make sure to source the whiskey this football season, once it’s over a new whiskey for the team will be in the works.
