The following is a special announcement from our Founder and Owner Karen Hoskin on changes planned for our Tasting Room, initially published on September 2, 2021.

If you have known me for a while, you know my personal philosophy is that "change is good." I don't fear it and in most cases, I thrive on it. I also believe that handled with intention, it is good for business and for communities. It's with that in mind that I am writing to share a big change I have decided to undertake at Montanya Distillers. I am very excited about what it will bring to our community of Crested Butte, Colorado, and our business.

In mid-December, I will be opening a new cocktail bar two doors up Elk Avenue from our current downtown location. The focus of this space will be craft cocktails and Montanya rum tastings, bringing this community a beautiful, classy, enticing, and delicious cocktail experience that tops what we have done in the past. I have so many ideas and plans for this exceptional space, including reservations, flights and an elevated form of bartending and customer encounters.

I will also be phasing Montanya Distillers out of our existing location at 212 Elk. I am not yet sure what shape this will take or exactly when it will transition. My goal is to sell or lease this restaurant into the very good hands of someone dedicated to and passionate about running a restaurant in Crested Butte, at a very rational price. It may take some time and we won't close 212 Elk until the plan is clear.

While our busy restaurant is something of which I am very proud, Montanya is first and foremost a rum distillery. Over the last year, we have expanded our Riverland facility to allow us to make more rum here in CB. This will become our production hub, and just in time! Premium rum is on the rise internationally and our wholesale sales grew significantly in 2020 and 2021 despite some very tumultuous times. My crew and I have been working hard to stay abreast of these growing demands, and I am so proud of their hard work. It's also gratifying to see how this growth enables raises and more full time positions with benefits, something I also plan to create in the new Tasting Room.

We are a Crested Butte company and intend to stay that way. You all know rum is my first love and passion. These changes will allow me to focus on rum and free up 212 Elk Avenue for someone whose passion is to bring an exceptional dining experience to our community. Maybe I will even get to go enjoy it! I am open to your most audacious ideas about what should come next for this space. And I can't wait to show you what is to come at Montanya.

With affection and gratitude,

Karen Hoskin

Also New at Montanya:

Montanya Rums are now available across most of the continental United States at BuyMontanyaRum.com: