A Must Stop Highland Distiller in Grand Junction, Colorado!

On my road trip from Maryland to Telluride, Colorado, this past June, my friend and I were excited to stop and explore more in Grand Junction. I have been to Grand Junction a handful of times, and each time I leave here, falling even more in love. This blog post will discuss my experience at Highland Distiller!

Highland Distiller is, without a doubt, one of the most unique distilleries in Colorado, ranking just below my all-time favorite: Telluride Distillery. The allure of a great Manhattan, an incredibly inviting ambiance, and breathtaking views made it a perfect reward after long days of driving. As we arrived, a mesmerizing sunset bathed the entire property in its warm glow. The distillery offers three distinct areas for relaxation and enjoyment: the Yurt Bar, Test Bar, and Picnic area.

Test Bar

From the outside, it looked like the perfect place to chill since it had chairs outside facing the sunset. Once I walked through in, I was smitten by the décor, dark, moody emerald, green textured walls, with the same-colored small couches with dark wood accents from the door to a frame that frames a chalkboard that says "All the flowers of all the tomorrows are the seeds of today.” Flake vines and flowers wrap the exposed beams above with a little area to buy local flavors amongst the local whiskeys, vodkas, and other treats from local artists.

Picnic area

I didn't get a drink in the Test Bar because I wandered to the backyard to the picnic area.  Here, you can walk under cute umbrellas hanging from the trees as you walk towards the tables and chairs. If you kept going straight, you could hang out on these couches made from wooden skids with cushions with your own fire pit. You have games like a giant Connect Four in this open shed-like structure. You can head into the Yurt Bar to get your drinks if you hang out here.

Yurt Bar

Here is a tiny little bar with tables, benches with fur blankets, and mood lighting. I got my Manhattan here, along with two slices of pizza. We got a slice of Rocket Ham: cheese base, prosciutto, arugula dressed in Italian vinaigrette, and parmesan. The second slice was the Core Jet Crunch: cheese base, thinly sliced zucchini, crispy garlic, pesto ranch, and red pepper flakes. If you stayed past 9, as we did, all pizza slices are 50 percent.

I enjoyed every second here, from the food and drinks to the games, fire pit, and the friendly staff who talked to us a few times, sharing interesting facts about the distillery and the local area. This is a perfect place to spend the afternoon or night with friends or even to hang out solo.

I'd love to hear about your experiences and recommendations for Highland Distiller. Share your stories in the comments below and let me know which distillery I should check out next!