Denver-based Onyx & Amber announced the release of its first batched whiskey, marking a shift from its previous focus on single-barrel offerings.
The new Small Batch Bourbon will debut on December 12, 2025, with only 816 bottles available . The release will be sold first at the distillery, with retail placements and online ordering to follow. The company, which began as the Colorado Bourbon and Rye Collectors (CBRC), has gained recognition for its single-barrel selections.
Guest Blender Series Debuts With Ryan Negley
For this inaugural release, Onyx & Amber partnered with award-winning blender and Colorado whiskey figure Ryan Negley, formerly of Boulder Spirits. Negley’s career includes work with Peach Street Distillers, Deerhammer Distilling, and Boulder Spirits, as well as founding the Denver Whiskey Club. His blends have earned honors from the World Whiskies Awards, San Francisco Spirits Competition, and a Top Ten placement on Fred Minnick’s Top 100 Whiskeys of the Year list.
Founders Emphasize Quality and Community Roots
Co-founder Ben Rosen said, “Onyx & Amber is about providing really great whiskeys to friends and peers around the country that are searching for really stand out barrels.” Rosen added that selecting Negley for the first Guest Blender release was a natural fit, stating, “It made perfect sense for Ryan to have inaugural honors with our first small batch bourbon.” The brand continues to build on its foundation as a whiskey club turned distillery operation, now storing more than 200 barrels across Colorado, Indiana, and Kentucky.
Details of Batch 1: Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Batch 1 of Onyx & Amber’s Straight Bourbon Whiskey was distilled in Indiana and bottled in Denver at 111.6 proof (55.8% ABV). The blend consists of 7 to 12-year-old barrels, with additional aging in Colorado ranging from six months to three years. The whiskey’s profile includes notes of violet, rose candies, light maple syrup, wood shavings, leather, dark brown sugar, and peach, finishing long and flavorful.
Brand Philosophy and Colorado Influence
According to the brand, Onyx & Amber aims to deliver high-quality whiskey to discerning consumers while incorporating the influence of Colorado’s environment into their products. The company emphasizes its Denver roots and its evolution from a private whiskey club to a whiskey-focused brand.
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