Safe House Distilling Co. sits in downtown Albuquerque’s warehouse district at 616 Gold Ave SW, inside a converted industrial space that perfectly captures the gritty-meets-craft vibe of modern distilling. Founded by Cory Valdez and Tom Macdonald in 2017, this operation grew from their shared background in hospitality and a desire to create something uniquely New Mexican. Valdez, who spent years managing restaurants, and Macdonald, with experience in food and beverage operations, decided Albuquerque needed a distillery that reflected the city’s blend of cultures and flavors. Their facility produces vodka, gin, and whiskey using local ingredients whenever possible, including blue corn sourced from New Mexico farmers. The name ‘Safe House’ reflects their vision of creating a gathering place where people can escape the chaos outside and enjoy carefully crafted spirits in a welcoming environment. The distillery occupies several thousand square feet of warehouse space, with exposed brick walls, concrete floors, and industrial lighting that gives the whole place an authentic, unpretentious feel. You’ll find their copper still prominently displayed, along with fermentation tanks and aging barrels that show this is a working distillery first, tourist destination second.