Deerhammer Distillery sits right on Main Street in Buena Vista, Colorado, occupying a restored 1880s building that once housed the town’s general store. Founders Lenny Eckstein and Amy Eckstein opened the doors in 2010, making it one of Colorado’s early craft distilleries. Lenny’s background in brewing and Amy’s business acumen drove them to transform the historic brick building into a working distillery and tasting room that produces whiskey, vodka, and gin. The Ecksteins didn’t just jump into distilling on a whim. Lenny spent years perfecting recipes and techniques before they committed to the business, working with a custom-built 250-gallon copper still from Vendome Copper & Brass Works. They focus on using Colorado-grown grains when possible and Rocky Mountain water, with production staying intentionally small to maintain quality control. The operation runs lean with Lenny handling distillation duties while Amy manages the business side and tasting room operations. Walking into Deerhammer feels like stepping into someone’s well-appointed living room rather than a typical distillery. The original brick walls and wood floors create warmth, while the copper still dominates one corner of the main room. You can watch production happen during your visit, smell the mash cooking, and taste spirits that were made just feet away. It’s the kind of place where you end up chatting with Lenny about grain bills or hearing stories about the building’s history from locals who remember when it was still the general store.