Honey House Distillery sits along US-550 just outside Durango, Colorado, founded by Jim and Claudia Wertz who transformed their passion for beekeeping into craft spirits production. The husband-and-wife team opened their doors in 2014, converting a 4,000-square-foot facility into what became Colorado’s first honey-based distillery. Jim brings decades of beekeeping experience while Claudia handles the business operations, creating spirits that showcase local Colorado honey as a primary ingredient rather than just a flavoring agent. Their product line focuses on honey-forward spirits including vodka, whiskey, and liqueurs that capture the terroir of southwestern Colorado’s diverse flora. The operation centers around their custom copper still, where they distill everything from scratch using honey sourced from their own apiaries and local beekeeping partners. You’ll find them producing small batches that reflect seasonal variations in honey character, from wildflower to clover to more specialized varieties. The Wertz family built this business methodically, starting with farmers markets before investing in their current facility, and their approach remains hands-on with Jim often manning the still himself. The tasting room showcases not just their spirits but educational displays about beekeeping and honey production, connecting visitors to the agricultural roots of their distilling process.