Don Quixote Distillery sits along US Highway 84 in the small northern New Mexico community of Jaconita, bringing craft spirits production to the high desert landscape between Santa Fe and Española. The distillery takes its name from Cervantes’ famous literary character, reflecting a spirit of bold ambition in pursuing the seemingly impossible dream of creating premium spirits in this rural setting. Located at elevation in the Española Valley, they’re working to establish themselves as part of New Mexico’s growing craft distilling scene. The operation focuses on small-batch production, taking advantage of the region’s unique climate conditions where the high altitude and temperature swings between day and night create interesting aging characteristics for their spirits. The facility represents the founders’ commitment to bringing craft distilling to an area better known for traditional agriculture and Native American pueblos than spirits production. Visitors find themselves in an unexpected pocket of craft spirits culture, where the distillery serves as both production facility and tasting room. The location offers a different kind of distillery experience than you’d find in more urbanized areas, with the rural New Mexico setting providing a backdrop that feels authentic to the frontier spirit the name suggests.