FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Locke + Co.’s Big Blaze Bourbon Wins
Gold at 2026 Ascot Awards & Double Gold at the 2026 Denver International Spirits Competition
Ten percent of all sales from Big Blaze Bourbon benefits
Grand County firefighters and fire prevention efforts
Denver, Colo. (May 27, 2026) — The Denver distillery making whiskey from aspen trees burned in the historic East Troublesome Fire won big in their backyard at the 2026 Denver International Spirits Competition. The second release of Locke + Co.’s limited-edition Big Blaze Bourbon received unanimous double gold-level scores from a blind-judging panel of industry professionals at the prestigious competition. In addition, they took home Gold at the prestigious Ascot Awards. Ten percent of all Big Blaze Bourbon sales benefit the brave firefighters and first responders of Grand County, Colo., who risked their lives to contain the second-largest wildfire in Colorado history.
Aged for more than five years in new American oak barrels before being finished with aspen discs sourced directly from the affected wildfire area, the 95-proof Big Blaze Bourbon is now available throughout Colorado bars, restaurants and liquor stores, as well as online (add link) in 48 states across the nation.
The exclusive whiskey gives bourbon enthusiasts and novices alike the chance to experience a whiskey born from the ashes of the state’s second-largest wildfire, while supporting the firefighters who risked their lives to contain it. The East Troublesome Fire ignited on October 14, 2020, in the central Rocky Mountains of Grand County. Fueled by extreme winds, the blaze rapidly grew into a 10,000-acre inferno that spread to Grand Lake and Rocky Mountain National Park. By the time snow, rain, and firefighting efforts brought the fire under control later that month, it had destroyed more than 400 homes and scorched over 193,000 acres.
Big Blaze Bourbon is one of several limited-edition whiskey releases launched by Locke + Co. in recent years to support their local community. Every bottle of Locke + Co. Distillery’s whiskies is crafted with love and finished with hand-charred aspen wood to create A Taste Like None Other™.
HOW TO BUY: Big Blaze Bourbon is available now at select bars, restaurants, and liquor stores throughout Colorado. Visit the Locke + Co. store locator to find it.
Big Blaze Bourbon (95 proof | 47.5 ABV | $58.99 SRP)
10% from every bottle sold is being donated to Grand Fire Protection District No. 1
Aroma: Big Blaze Bourbon presents strong aromas of honey and vanilla, followed by delicate hints of dried berries, maple syrup and walnuts. Savor more nuanced notes of sweet, rich cherry toffee, warm toasted caramel, crème brûlée and the fresh brightness of ripe nectarine.
Taste: On the palate, Big Blaze Bourbon offers a slightly chocolatey richness, complemented by smooth maple undertones. A balanced spice follows, with the warmth of cinnamon, the lively bite of white pepper and a refreshing hint of orange peel to round out the experience.
Finish: Big Blaze Bourbon’s finish is long and satisfying, leaving lingering flavors of caramel and black pepper layered with notes of toffee, light brown sugar, and a final hint of cinnamon that remains long after the last sip.
Locke + Co. Distilling in Denver, Colorado, is a premium small-batch whiskey distiller that changes the understanding of what makes a “good whiskey.” Locke + Co. welcomes everyone and everyone is welcome, whether around a campfire or a fine dining table. Remarkably smooth and flavorful, Locke + Co.’s small-barrel, aspen-aged craft spirits create the warmth and personal connection that makes good times and great memories. Aged, bottled, and blended by sixth-generation Coloradans, Locke + Co. whiskey results from the secrets and traditions of moonshiners on a mission: to make a whiskey among the best in the West.
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