New Fort Collins Distillery Wins Big At Beverage And Spirits Industry Awards

FORT COLLINS, Colo., Jan. 31, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Fort Collins-based Old Elk Distillery is proud to announce four recent wins at prestigious industry competitions, the 2016-2017 World Beverage Competition and the 2016 New York International Spirits Competition.

Just announced this January, the 2016-2017 World Beverage Competition has awarded Dry Town Vodka Gold in its "Best of Show White Spirits: Vodka" category, and Dry Town Gin Bronze in its "Best of Show White Spirits: Gin" category. The World Beverage Competition works with a panel of industry professional judges to host double-blind taste tests – the competition's tried-and-true method of ensuring all spirits are judged on an even playing field. Post-tasting, the judges also consider packaging and tally their results to share the final winners.

In late 2016, Old Elk Distillery and Dry Town Gin received high honors at the New York International Spirits Competition (NYISC). Founded by industry professional Adam Levy, NYISC is the first major international spirits competition with trade-only judges, including top retail store buyers, restaurant and bar owners, distributors and importers. Dry Town Gin received Double Gold in the gin category, the competition's highest honor. Since 2010, only three gins have received the prestigious Double Gold award. In addition to its win with Dry Town Gin, Old Elk Distillery was named Colorado Distillery of the Year.

"We are beyond excited to receive these awards and accolades for Old Elk," said Bill Lovell, general manager at Old Elk Distillery. "Though we only introduced Dry Town in 2016, we have been working tirelessly behind the scenes for years, perfecting our recipes to ensure we create the best-tasting, highest-quality spirits. We're thrilled to see our hard work pay off, and we look forward to introducing more Old Elk Distillery spirits."

Old Elk Distillery was founded by Curt and Nancy Richardson, the innovators behind OtterBox. Led by a team of experienced and passionate distillers based in Fort Collins, Old Elk Distillery prides itself on developing premium, handcrafted spirits. Its portfolio includes Dry Town Gin, Dry Town Vodka and Nooku™ Bourbon Cream.

Dry Town Gin, Dry Town Vodka and Nooku Bourbon Cream are available at retail stores, restaurants and bars across Colorado. For more information, visit DryTown.com or EnjoyNooku.com and connect with @DryTownSocial and @EnjoyNooku on social media.

About Dry Town
Premium spirits, Dry Town™ Vodka and Dry Town™ Gin are handcrafted to pay homage to the days of bootlegging during the Fort Collins 73-year prohibition. Dry Town Vodka is created with a four grain recipe of corn, wheat, rye, and malted barley. Distilled using Colorado-sourced water, the premium handcrafted vodka is unfiltered, heightening the expression of each grain. Dry Town Gin is artfully distilled on pot stills using 10 botanicals; juniper, orris root, orange, lime, angelica root, black pepper, ginger, lemongrass, French verveine, and sage come together resulting in a smooth and distinctively refreshing herbal, piney, citrus-forward flavor. At the 2016 New York International Spirits Competition, Dry Town Gin earned Double Gold – the competitions' highest honor. Both spirits are currently available in Colorado. Visit www.DryTown.com for more information.

About Nooku
Real bourbon. Real cream. Nooku™ is the first bourbon cream made using only bourbon whiskey with fresh dairy cream. Because Nooku, a distilled spirit specialty from Old Elk™ Distillery in Fort Collins, Colo., is made with only two ingredients and without artificial coloring, flavoring or added sugar, it is the only spirit of its kind. Nooku is a Native American name for the white snowshoe rabbit – a fast and bold, yet soft and smooth animal known for its lush coat and lightning speed. The same juxtaposition exists in Nooku bourbon cream – all the strength of bourbon with the qualities of decadent cream. Nooku's spicy vanilla and toffee aromas, caramel flavor and hearty burst of bourbon finish are perfect to indulge in over ice, in cocktails or savored in delicious recipes. Visit www.EnjoyNooku.com for more information.

About Old Elk Distillery
Old Elk™ Distillery –  named Colorado Distillery of the Year at the 2016 New York International Spirits Competition – is the exclusive distiller of Dry Town Gin, Dry Town Vodka and Nooku Bourbon Cream. Founded by Curt and Nancy Richardson, the innovators behind OtterBox and Blue Ocean Enterprises, Old Elk Distillery follows the Richardsons' tradition of innovation by crafting spirits unlike any others. Led by a team of experienced and passionate distillers based in Fort Collins, Colo., Old Elk prides itself on developing premium, handcrafted vodka, gin, bourbon cream and soon-to-be released bourbons.

SOURCE Old Elk Distillery