A small Wyoming craft distillery is earning big international praise, Cowboy State Daily reports.
Pine Bluffs Distilling recently won a double gold medal at the 2025 American Distilling Institute International Spirits Competition for its straight rye whiskey, placing it among the top in a competitive global field.
The distinction is no small feat—of the 65 rye whiskeys entered, only a dozen earned a double gold, which requires a score of 90 or above from all four judges in a blind tasting. Comments from the judging panel described Pine Bluffs’ whiskey as “incredibly expressive and complex,” with a “balanced and expressive” flavor profile featuring sweetness and spice.
Pine Bluffs Distilling sets itself apart by relying on Wyoming-grown ingredients and close relationships with local farmers. Founder Chad Brown emphasized the importance of highlighting the quality of grain grown in Wyoming, calling it the foundation of the distillery’s identity and product quality.
“Our goal has always been to create a true Wyoming whiskey,” Brown said. “That means sourcing locally, supporting local families, and celebrating the character that this land gives to our grain.”
Brown’s personal favorite, the straight rye whiskey, features a four-grain recipe—rye, wheat, malted barley, and oats. This departure from more conventional rye blends came from listening to customer feedback and collaborating with fellow distillers.
Head distiller Aaron Mayer also played a key role in developing the award-winning spirit. Through years of experimentation and fine-tuning barrel-proof levels, Mayer adjusted the aging process to bring out desired notes of caramel and vanilla, balancing the bold spice of the rye with a smoother finish.
The winning whiskey was aged just over four years, and Mayer believes the distillery is close to hitting its ideal aging window of five years.
“Time is your friend with whiskey,” he said. “We’re just beginning to reach that sweet spot.”
For Brown, the recognition is more than a medal—it’s proof that locally sourced and carefully crafted whiskey from a small-town distillery can stand shoulder to shoulder with international heavyweights.
As Pine Bluffs Distilling continues to grow, its success is also supporting Wyoming agriculture, currently working with four farming families. Brown hopes to expand that number, helped by the new recognition and increased shelf presence.
For whiskey enthusiasts and supporters of local craftsmanship, Pine Bluffs Distilling is a name to watch—where every bottle tells a uniquely Wyoming story.
