Colorado’s famed fourteeners and whiskey go together like trail mix and trekking poles. Many hikers have enjoyed a celebratory sip or two of whiskey atop a mountain or around the campfire after a long day of hiking.
Denver-based TINCUP Whiskey and the nonprofit Colorado Fourteeners Initiative, CFI, made this pairing official with the release of the new TINCUP Fourteener Whiskey, a 14-year-old whiskey paying homage to Colorado’s great outdoors.
TINCUP ages the new limited-edition whiskey for 14 years and cuts to proof with Rocky Mountain water. It is the newest addition to the distillery’s lineup and goes on sale in December. As part of the release, the distillery donated $14,000 to support CFI’s trail stewardship and hiker education on fourteeners around the state.
“We are celebrating one of the great things in Colorado which is really good Colorado whiskey,” said Jess Graber, TINCUP’s founder, at the tasting. “It exemplifies the spirit and it exemplifies the people that go outdoors and enjoy themselves.”
Whiskey With a Cause: Supporting CFI’s Adopt-a-Peak Program
As Colorado’s popular fourteeners draw thousands of hikers and climbers each year, the nonprofit CFI protects and preserves the natural integrity of these 14,000-foot peaks by way of trail stewardship and public education.
Since 1994, the organization has constructed 39 new routes on 35 fourteeners across the state. It’s performed more than 21,000 days of volunteer stewardship and educated more than 200,000 hikers about Leave No Trace ethics.
“As the sole organization focused on protecting Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks, the partnership was a perfect fit for the new Fourteener [whiskey] release,” said Brian Sargeant, CFI Development and Communication Manager. “Longs Peak is without a doubt one of the most iconic fourteeners in Colorado.”
CFI hires professional trail crew members (in addition to its volunteers) to construct new trails, maintain existing routes, and restore eroded alpine tundra. The $14,000 donation from TINCUP will go toward supporting CFI’s Adopt-a-Peak program with at least five volunteer projects that will contribute 100-plus days of volunteer stewardship.
TINCUP’s donation will specifically go toward “Adopt” work on Grays and Torreys Peaks — two of the most popular fourteeners in the state.
Sargeant said CFI plans to install 35 timber check steps, each 8 feet to 12 feet long, to help reduce erosion on the heavily trafficked peaks. The majority of the steps will run from 12,900 feet and 13,400 feet. CFI will also construct six to eight timber-reinforced drainage structures on the two peaks.
TINCUP Fourteener Whiskey Details
The new TINCUP Fourteener Whiskey label showcases Longs Peak and pays tribute to outdoor adventures above 14,000 feet.
TINCUP, founded in 2008, makes a bourbon-style whiskey made with corn, rye, and malted barley. It’s a blend of two American whiskeys aged in No. 3 charred white American oak barrels.
This first series honors the Front Range with the iconic Longs Peak. The next release will focus on a different Colorado mountain range.
TINCUP says its whiskey is meant to be enjoyed outdoors. Even the signature hexagonal bottle won’t roll away from your sleeping bag, said Graber, who’s climbed Longs Peak. (Though, we don’t always recommend mixing alcohol and high altitude — better to celebrate back down at base camp instead.)
For the release of Fourteener, TINCUP’s partners in adventure — Matt Segal, Eeland Stribling, Renan Ozturk, and Taylor Rees — came out to help premiere the new whiskey. The professional climbers, skiers, anglers, and filmmakers are a testament to the company’s commitment to the outdoors.
Trailwork With CFI
The Colorado Fourteeners Initiative (CFI) Adopt-a-Peak program is a great way for businesses to engage their employees in hands-on volunteer work. And if you aren’t physically donating time on the trails, you can always donate money in support of particular trails/mountains.
Here are ways you can help support and protect Colorado’s fourteeners:
- Donate money to help pay for CFI trail crew members, tools, and project expenses
- Sign up for a volunteer project (trail building and more!)
- Help raise awareness for CFI’s mission and advocate for the preservation of Colorado’s public lands
Visit www.14ers.org to learn more about how you can get involved.
