Henry Road and the Ratification of American Single Malt Whiskey: A New Era Begins
On December 18, 2024, a historic milestone for the American whiskey world was reached: American Single Malt Whiskey was officially recognized as its own category in the United States. At Laws Whiskey House, we’ve been closely tracking the work of the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission (ASMWC), advocating alongside our peers to make this moment a reality, especially since Colorado has become a powerhouse in the American Single Malt movement.
Among our most beloved whiskeys is Henry Road Malt, an expression named after the stretch of rural road that runs alongside our Colorado barley fields. Though it was crafted with American Single Malt standards in mind, we waited to label it officially until the ASMWC’s work was complete. Now, we’re proud to say: Henry Road is back—this time as an official American Single Malt.
ROOTED IN COLORADO: THE STORY BEHIND THE MALT
All our grains are grown locally by two small Colorado family farms. The Cody family, who own Colorado Malting Company, grow all our heirloom wheat, rye, and barley in the San Luis Valley, a unique growing region of Colorado. They also malt all our grains for us.
We first highlighted these grains in our Four Grain Bourbon, capturing the complexity of both wheat and rye in a single mash bill. While malted barley is sometimes seen as a conversion grain in American whiskey, we found the barley grown by the Codys to be a prominent flavor grain in our bourbon. As a terroir-driven distillery focused on showcasing the flavor of each grain, we then set out to make 100% expressions of each grain. This resulted in our San Luis Valley Straight Rye, Centennial Straight Wheat, and, finally, our Henry Road Straight Malt, a whiskey that hasn’t been released since 2022. The barley used in Henry Road is a rare heirloom variety that was nearly lost to time. The Cody family, owners of Colorado Malting Company, rescued it from extinction, believing in its exceptional flavor, even when others dismissed it for lower yields.
Today, their ancestral barley, grown in the unique climate of Colorado’s San Luis Valley, is the soul of our Henry Road Malt, bringing unmatched depth and regional character to every sip.
We’re proud to stand alongside our fellow Colorado distillers and farmers in defining what American Single Malt whiskey can be and to help establish Colorado as a leader in this new chapter of American whiskey.
READ MORE IN AMERICAN WHISKEY MAGAZINE
As part of the excitement around the ratification of the American Single Malt category, American Whiskey Magazine published a Commemorative Issue celebrating the milestone. Inside, Al Laws shares a behind-the-scenes look at our malt whiskey philosophy, how we’ve approached crafting Henry Road from the beginning, and what the future holds.
→ Read the Q&A with Al Laws here
INTRODUCING THE 2025 RELEASE OF HENRY ROAD AMERICAN SINGLE MALT
With the ratification of the American Single Malt category, we’re excited to unveil the 2025 release of Henry Road American Single Malt—our first to carry the official designation.
This long-awaited return, our first release in over three years, reflects the bold character of both our grains and our approach. Aged between 7 and 11 years in a mix of new and used American oak barrels, this year’s Henry Road explores the deep complexity that time and craft bring to malt whiskey. A blend of specialty malts, this release boasts richness, structure, and depth- hallmarks of our grain-forward philosophy.
It’s an expression of place. Of process. Of perseverance. And we can’t wait for you to taste it.
Available starting SUNDAY AUGUST 10th. Exclusively at The Laws Whiskey Sanctuary.
CELEBRATE WITH US: LAWS HARVEST PARTY AND HENRY ROAD RELEASE
→ View Full Event Details Here
We’re kicking off this historic release with a late-summer celebration of whiskey, craft, and community:
Laws Harvest Party
Sunday, August 10 | 12:00–4:00 PM
The Whiskey Sanctuary | 80 W Arkansas Ave, Denver, CO 80223
Join us at the Laws Whiskey Sanctuary and be among the first to taste the 2025 Henry Road American Single Malt. We’ll be turning our parking lot into a vibrant outdoor festival space for a day filled with Colorado flavor and spirit.
What to Expect:
- Hats by Parker Thomas: Custom hat shaping and styling with true Western flair.
- Colorado Farm Brewery: Sample beer made by the Cody brothers—the same family that grows and malts all the grain in our whiskeys. Their beers are brewed using all ingredients grown and sourced from their farm.
- Farm to Truck: Enjoy fresh, local food that pairs perfectly with whiskey and craft beer.
- Mini Colorado Makers Market: Featuring some of our favorite artisan partners:
- Red Camper (small-batch spreads & preserves)
- Bee Squared Apiaries (award-winning local honey)
- Corvus Coffee (Denver-roasted specialty coffee)
Raise a glass, meet the makers, and celebrate Colorado’s rich agricultural and distilling heritage.
Whether you’ve been a longtime fan of our Henry Road Malt or you’re new to American Single Malt altogether, this moment marks the start of something special—for Laws, for Colorado, and for whiskey lovers everywhere.
See you August 10th at the Sanctuary.
Let’s toast to history in the making.
