Peach Street Distillers
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Brewery, distillery |
| Founded | November 2005 |
| Founder | Rory Donovan, Bill Graham, David Thibodeau |
| Headquarters | Palisade , United States |
Area served | Colorado, Oregon, California, Kansas |
Key people | Desa Loughman, Cody Butters Lewis, Jesse Loughman, Michael Lewis (owners as of 2025) |
| Products | Bourbon, vodka (Goat Vodka), gin (Jackelope Gin), grappa, brandy |
| Owner | Whiskey Biz, LLC (since August 2025) |
| Website | peachstreetdistillers |
Peach Street Distillers operates as a privately held brewery and distillery situated in Palisade, Colorado. The enterprise was launched in November 2005 by Rory Donovan alongside Bill Graham and David Thibodeau, who are also the co-founders of Ska Brewing Company located in Durango, Colorado. In August 2025, ownership transferred when Ska Brewing sold Peach Street Distillers to Whiskey Biz, LLC,[1] a company based in Palisade managed by Desa Loughman, Cody Butters Lewis, Jesse Loughman, and Michael Lewis. The Lewis family additionally owns The Homestead,[2] a boutique motel in Palisade.
History
The distillery was created in 2005 by seasoned brewers and distillers Rory Donovan, Bill Graham, and David Thibodeau.[3] Notably, Peach Street Distillers secured Colorado’s first distiller license issued after Prohibition, DSP CO 15001.[4] In 2008, the company crafted the state’s inaugural legal bourbon.[5] By 2010, it was counted among thirteen small distilleries operating within Colorado.[6] Their distribution initially covered Colorado in 2009; by 2011, their Goat Vodka and Jackelope Gin brands had expanded availability into Oregon, California, and Kansas.[7]
The distillery sources corn from Olathe while also utilizing locally grown pears, plums, and peaches. Collaborating with Debeque Canyon Winery, they produce grappa derived from Gewürztraminer and Viognier grape varieties.[8] As a member of the Colorado Distiller's Guild, Peach Street Distillers engages in resource sharing and joint promotional efforts with other small-scale distilleries.[9] For instance, they coordinate barrel procurement alongside Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey.[10] Additionally, they partnered with Sauvage Spectrum Winery & Estate Vineyard to develop Devil's Prey,[11] a red blend aged in bourbon barrels.
Awards
Peach Street Distillers has been recognized with various accolades that underscore its product excellence and industry standing:
- Colorado Distillery of the Year (2012–2014) – New York International Spirits Competition
- Silver Medal in the Brandy Category (2013) – American Distilling Institute
- Best American Vodka for Goat Vodka (2015) – International Wine & Spirit Competition, London
- Silver (Brandy), Bronze (Straight Bourbon and Amaro) Medals (2018) – American Distilling Institute
- Bronze Medal in Brandy Category (2019) – American Distilling Institute
- Double Gold Medal for Brandy (2020) – American Distilling Institute