Colorado has been experiencing a whiskey renaissance in recent years, gaining accolades and recognition for its craft spirits. Among the latest to make waves in the scene is Onyx & Amber, a company that diverges from the traditional distillery model. Instead of producing its own spirits, Onyx & Amber sources whiskey from established distillers, ages it, and skillfully blends it to create unique offerings.

In December, they launched a special release that has caught the attention of whiskey enthusiasts. Named the Guest Blender Series Blend No. 1, the blend was crafted in collaboration with Ryan Negley, a respected figure in Colorado’s whiskey community, known for his work at Peach Street Distillers and Deerhammer. His prior blends have garnered awards from prestigious competitions, enhancing the excitement around this new release.

This particular whiskey has a robust 111.6 proof, but it surprises with its smoothness, featuring delicate notes of anise, violet, and maple on the nose, while the palate presents rich flavors of leather, caramelized sugar, and a hint of tobacco. The blend is designed to engage both seasoned connoisseurs and casual whiskey drinkers alike.

Ryan Negley expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, noting that this project marked his first independent venture outside of established brands. He founded his consulting service, Will Whiskey for Work, last summer, aiming to assist craft distillers facing challenges in the post-distillation process.

Onyx & Amber’s founders—Ben Rosen, Brian Vaught, Matt Krumholz, Kenneth Bunn, and Cascade LeSage—view their brand as a passion project. They aim to democratize whiskey, enabling consumers to choose from a wider selection than what has become customary in today’s competitive market. Rosen, who has been building a whiskey community since he took over the Colorado Bourbon and Rye Collectors club, emphasized the importance of allowing stores to sample from multiple barrels for their selections.

The company has been proactively building its inventory, acquiring barrels from the renowned MGP Ingredients and aging them in Colorado to leverage the state’s distinct climatic conditions. This strategy has resulted in a diverse storage of over 260 barrels among various locations.

In April, Onyx & Amber debuted a tasting room near Empower Field, allowing whiskey fans to explore their offerings firsthand. The first release from the Guest Blender Series is priced at $87.99 and is available for purchase online and at local establishments.

This initiative celebrates both established and emerging blenders, giving them a chance to shine by creating expressions that reflect their unique identities while also putting the blender’s expertise front and center, rather than obscured by branding.