372: How Onyx and Amber is Redefining Colorado Whiskey

By /
Home » Bourbon Blog » Bourbon Lens Podcast » 372: How Onyx and Amber is Redefining Colorado Whiskey

What happens when you combine the thin, crisp air of the Rockies with a rigorous, scientific approach to barrel maturation? You get Onyx and Amber, a distillery that isn’t just making waves in the craft spirits world—they’re winning global accolades for it.

In our latest episode of the Bourbon Lens podcast, we sit down with Ben Rosen, co-founder of Onyx and Amber. Fresh off their recent success at the World Whiskies Awards, Ben shares the secrets behind their meteoric rise and why they believe the future of whiskey lies in “intentional variation.”

The Science of High-Altitude Aging

Most people know that Kentucky and Tennessee have the “perfect” climate for bourbon, but Colorado offers a different set of variables that Onyx and Amber has turned into a competitive advantage.

  • Pressure & Extraction: At high altitudes, the lower atmospheric pressure forces the spirit deeper into the wood staves.
  • The Climate Swing: Intense diurnal temperature shifts (hot days and cold nights) act like a piston, rapidly cycling the whiskey in and out of the oak.
  • Evaporation Profiles: The dry Colorado air affects the “Angel’s Share” differently than in humid climates, often resulting in a unique concentration of flavors that you simply can’t replicate at sea level.

The “Guest Blender” Philosophy

While many distilleries strive for a “consistent” flagship flavor profile that never changes, Ben Rosen and his team are taking the opposite approach. They embrace the Guest Blender model.

By bringing in outside palates—ranging from industry veterans to sensory experts—Onyx and Amber ensures that each small-batch release has its own distinct personality. For Ben, small-batch variation isn’t a flaw; it’s the ultimate expression of craft distilling. It allows the brand to stay agile, experimental, and transparent with its audience.

Key Takeaways from This Episode

If you’re a whiskey geek or a budding craft distiller, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss:

  • Transparency is King: Why sharing the “how” and “why” behind a blend builds deeper consumer trust.
  • Sensory vs. Science: How to balance technical wood-interaction data with the subjective art of tasting.
  • Award-Winning Strategies: What it takes to stand out at the World Whiskies Awards in a crowded market.

“We don’t want every bottle to taste exactly like the last one. We want every bottle to tell the story of the wood and the climate at that specific moment in time.” — Ben Rosen

Watch or Listen to the Full Episode

Ready to dive deep into the world of Colorado craft whiskey? You can catch the full discussion with Ben Rosen on your favorite platform:

  • Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7JrHXhuUxPw?si=UAZcvuS8SObAL1EZ

Join the Conversation: Have you tried Onyx and Amber yet? What’s your take on the “Guest Blender” trend? Let us know in our Discord community or tag us on Instagram @bourbonlens.

Scroll to Top