Since its launch in 2021, Aspen Vodka has harnessed its location to create its flagship spirit. The vodka is made with Colorado red winter wheat and blended with pristine water from the Roaring Fork River, which begins high in the nearby mountains and is naturally filtered through crystalline rocks. So it’s good business — and good karma — to protect the land responsible for the product.
Aspen Vodka Distillery has become the first distillery in the world to be awarded the LEEDv4 BD+C Platinum certification. This certification is the highest standard for building energy efficiency designated by the U.S. Green Building Council. So, it’s a first for distilleries, but a rarity in general — only three buildings in Colorado hit the same mark.
The 18,000-square-foot distillery is situated on a rehabilitated former lumber yard, and it actually creates more energy than it consumes. On- and off-site solar and battery storage supplies power at a rate of 105%, so the additional power is returned to the energy grid.
All of the building materials are eco-friendly, consisting of prefabricated wood panels manufactured using cross-laminated timber, which provides a lightweight and strong structure that’s fire and seismic resistant, while reducing embodied carbon. And the distillery’s eight-acre campus features over four acres of on-site regenerative agriculture that provides local sourcing for both culinary partners in Aspen and guests at the facility.
The distillery also enlisted Aquacycl’s BioElectrochemical Treatment Technology to treat the on-site wastewater used in the distilling process. They’re able to return 100% of the water to the Roaring Fork River, cleaner than when it was taken out, without generating any carbon emissions.
“We are incredibly proud to lead the industry with our ambitious and innovative environmental practices,” said Matthew Patel, the founder of Aspen Vodka. “Producing a luxury vodka with unrivaled quality, at the world’s cleanest distillery sets a new benchmark for sustainability. Our LEEDv4 BD+C Platinum certification is a testament to our commitment to excellence in both quality and environmental stewardship, and we hope to inspire our industry peers to elevate their sustainability efforts.”
These days, consumers are paying closer attention to planet-friendly practices and rewarding brands that do things right. But you still have to make a solid product. Aspen Vodka has done that, and was recently rewarded with a Double Gold Medal at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Aspen Vodka is bottled at 40% ABV and is available in select markets, and via national shipping, for a suggested retail price of $29.99. Earlier this year, Aspen Vodka partnered with WES Brands, the spirits incubator behind Flecha Azul Tequila, Fraser & Thompson Whiskey, and BSB Flavored Whiskey, to expand its presence. They’re now working to increase the vodka’s footprint in markets like Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Nevada, New York, and Texas.
