What a unique and fun place. A great addition to one of my favorite towns. We stopped in after the 4th of July parade and did a rum tasting. We also ordered cocktails and a cheese/salami/olive platter (the large platter was huge by the way and more than enough for 4 people). After our first round we all ordered the Basil Paradiso for the second round. My sister-in-law had it in the first round, and while we all loved our various cocktails, this one was simply amazing. The only drawback was that they weren't really prepared staffwise for the crowd. This is their first 4th of July after-parade and the rain brought even more people in so I'm hoping they'll be ready with extra staff for peak times in the future. The service as slow due to the crowd so I don't fault the servers or mixologists since they were working really hard, Great place
Just went in, but didn't stay long because they seemed pretty busy and nobody greeted us for a while. Seemed pretty cool and smelled like rum
We frequent the Montanya in Silverton since we live fairly close and we absolutely LOVE it there. This summer we visited this location in Crested Butte for the first time and it did not disappoint. So much attention and detail has been put into this place and you can tell it is a work of love. The atmosphere is beautiful and cozy and the cocktails are all delicious and unique. We are only sorry we didn't make it back for a second visit. I was a little disappointed to hear they moved recently but I'm sure the new location is even more fantastic and since we are coming for a visit over Christmas we will get to find out.
What looks like another bar with colorful props is actually a working distillery. Of all the spirits they could have brewed, they decided on rum. It is an unexpected and wonderful discovery. I sure as heck do not see sugarcane growing on the ski slopes out there! The sugarcane comes from Maui. The yeast is champagne yeast I was told, but as usual the source is hush-hush. The water is no secret, local mountain springs, not lime-stoney, or boggy. And the barrels used for aging are oak, previously storing whiskey.DO: Take the short tour. The two copper pot stills looked like they were hammered out by a blacksmith. The day I took the tour one pot was cooking and the heat was pleasant, like being in a kitchen. The alcohol evaporates through the alembic coil at the top. The condensate is filtered and drips down into stainless steel containers, just like barn milk. It is all standard operating procedure but it looks so homey in a non-industrial scale.DO: Taste the samples. The Platino is the non-barreled, clear rum. It has a neutral aroma and tastes sharp and clean. The Oro is the golden colored, oak-aged rum. It has a coffee like aroma. It leaves a silky smooth layer as you swirl it around the glass. And it has a complex, warm and wise beyond its years feel.DO: Try one of the cocktail. The Montanya rum may not yet qualify as a classic the way a Bacardi is, but its crisp and clean flavor lends itself to a good mixer. I was told the Maharaja is the number one cocktail so I gave it a try. Whoa! Nice job! You will find three cardamon pods swimming in a combo of ginger beer, Maharaja syrup, Oro rum, and rimmed with a spectator layer of cinnamon sugar. This Asian fusion cocktail is more like one found in a Singapore bar rather than a Cowboy joint in the mountains!Stumbling upon this distillery is like finding a gold nugget during a hike. Crested Butte, you don't know what an asset you have in your hands!
We stopped here while camping near CB. We sat outside right next to the creek with our two kids (14 and 12) and had some appetizers and drinks. Ordered mocktails for the kids and they loved them. Unbelievably creative and delicious cocktails. The Basil Paradiso was yummy but the Maharaja knocked my socks off. So good I cannot stop talking about it one week later...stop by and support local rum!!
I had three different drinks - LOVED them all. So creative and fresh... I'm not a fan of rum, but these drinks were fabulous - I wanted to try them all. I may be a fan now!! They have their recipes online - so find one (or many) you like and create at home. We're in Crested Butte a few days and already know we'll go back tomorrow. This is a must do!
We loved this place so much we visited three times in three days. Granted, the town of Crested Butte is small and there's only so many places to visit. But if you want a great cocktail, go here. A huge antique bar anchors the design of the place and makes for a warm, charming atmosphere. Talented mixologists craft a huge menu of cocktails from Montanya's two rum offerings: Oro (dark rum) and Platino (light rum). Even if you're not a rum fan, don't worry, you can hardly tell there's rum in some of these drink concoctions. My favorites were Dr. Bob's Snake Oil on the rocks (the Oro dark rum infused with fruit and spices) and the Maharaja Martini (think adult Chai). The free fresh popped popcorn is a nice touch. They do have a small food menu, but this place is really for drinking. You can also chat with the distiller and get a tour.
We love the Rum from here. The distillery is great and has a great tapas menu and rum tastings. We got several bottles to take home. Will definitely go back on next visit
On a recommendation from the resort check in staff, we planned to visit Montanya mid afternoon for a free tour and tasting. The tour was laid-back and informative. The tasting was a treat. We wiled away the better part of the afternoon with several tasty re-imagined recipes (a rum of fashioned?!? Yes!!) and yummy culinary offerings. Everyone back home is getting a bottle as a present - that they have to share with me, because I have the recipes (generously shared on the Montanya website!). I recommend this experience without reservation!
I don't drink alcohol, but the tour of the distillery was very interesting and well-presented! They have many different cocktails, all of which can be made without alcohol. Try the beach bum! It's yummy! They also have homemade peanut and almond butter, pesto, desserts, and breads. We bought the cinnamon raisin bread, and it's excellent toasted with butter. Highly recommend!