Distillery 291 sits on North Nevada Avenue in Colorado Springs, founded in 2011 by Michael Myers, a former New York City photojournalist who traded his camera for copper stills after falling in love with whiskey making. The name ‘291’ pays homage to Alfred Stieglitz’s famous 291 gallery in Manhattan, reflecting Myers’ artistic background and his belief that distilling is as much art as science. The operation runs out of a 4,000-square-foot facility where Myers and his small team craft small-batch whiskey using locally sourced Colorado ingredients, including corn from the San Luis Valley and pristine Rocky Mountain water. Myers didn’t stumble into distilling by accident. After years documenting life through photography, he became fascinated by the craft whiskey renaissance and decided to create his own interpretation of American whiskey. The transition wasn’t easy—he spent years learning the trade, perfecting his mash bills, and navigating Colorado’s evolving craft spirits regulations. His background in visual arts shows up in everything from the distillery’s clean, minimalist aesthetic to the carefully composed flavor profiles in his whiskeys. The team remains intentionally small, with Myers heavily involved in every aspect of production from mashing to bottling. What started as one man’s mid-life passion project has evolved into a respected Colorado whiskey producer known for their innovative approach to traditional American whiskey styles. The distillery focuses primarily on bourbon and rye whiskey, with Myers experimenting with different barrel finishes and aging techniques. Visitors can see the entire operation in action, from the custom-built stills to the barrel aging room where Colorado’s high altitude and dry climate create unique aging conditions. It’s the kind of place where you’ll likely meet Myers himself, still hands-on with production and genuinely excited to talk about the craft.