Tasting and touring: Rick Thomas Distillery distillers Chris Stevenson, Patrick Vandergeest, Declan Watts, and Maya Porco gather in front of the distillery’s new copper stills. PHOTO BY OMAYRA ACEVEDO[/caption]
Artisans’ Point is a beverage community located on Gregory Hill and was created by the City of Black Hawk to promote and support creativity and craftsmanship and inspire the future of Black Hawk entrepreneurship.
Roughly 22 acres in the newly deemed “whiskey resort” have been set aside for distillers, craft brewers, and entrepreneurs. Proximo Spirits, owner of Stranahan’s Whiskey, Jose Cuervo, and several other brands, will call over 300 acres adjacent to Artisans’ Point home.
On Thursday, September 7, 2023, from 1 to 3 p.m., the Rick Thomas Distillery (RTD) hosted Artisans’ Point’s first open house. Whiskey experts and novices gathered at RTD to experience state-of-the-art facilities, learn a little about the distillation process, and relish the sweet sensation of crafting spirits.
Guests divided into small groups for private tours of the facility and the opportunity to ask questions and be the first to taste the distillery’s first vodka spirit, 1859. JKQ BBQ provided delicious treats during the event.
To inspire partnerships with business owners, municipal incentives have been set in place and include a commitment from the city to contribute the land, as well as waive water user fees for one year, waive water tap and water system development fees, use tax rebates on construction materials and fixtures, furniture, and equipment.
Artisans’ Point is not the only excitement on the block. North of the beverage community, the construction of Hawk’s Landing is underway. Developer Club Vista Properties II, LLC. is constructing an Airstream and Geodesic Dome Campground for a glamping experience.
For more information on development opportunities at Artisans’ Point, contact Steve Cole, City Manager, at 303-582-2200 or scole@cityofblackhawk.org.
Rick Thomas Distillery is located at 830 Miners Road, Black Hawk. To learn more about the distillery visit http://www.rtwhiskey.com/ or contact them via email at cheers@rtwhiskey.com.
