Undammed Distilling Co. opened its doors in 2018 in downtown Billings, Montana, founded by husband-and-wife team Nick and Ashley Checota. Nick, a former petroleum engineer, and Ashley, who worked in marketing, decided to pivot their careers after falling in love with craft distilling during visits to Colorado distilleries. They chose the name “Undammed” as a nod to Montana’s free-flowing rivers and their own unrestrained approach to creating spirits. The distillery operates out of a renovated historic building at 116 N 11th Street in the heart of Billings’ downtown district. The Checotas started small, initially focusing on vodka and gin before expanding into whiskey production. Nick handles the production side, learning the craft through trial, error, and guidance from other Montana distillers, while Ashley manages the business operations and tasting room. They use a 300-gallon copper still and source their grains locally when possible, emphasizing Montana ingredients in their products. The operation reflects their engineering background with precise attention to detail in every batch. Visitors step into a compact but welcoming tasting room where you can sample their growing lineup of spirits while learning about their journey from corporate careers to craft distilling. The space has an industrial-modern feel that fits the downtown location, and the Checotas or their staff are usually on hand to share stories about specific batches and their distilling process. It’s the kind of place where you’ll leave knowing more about both the spirits and the people making them.