The Origins of the ORIGINS Series: The Evolution of Laws Whiskey House’s Most Exclusive Yearly Release
The story of the ORIGINS Series began in 2011 with the very first distillation at Laws Whiskey House and has featured some of the oldest whiskey the distillery has released. The very first batches were 28 hand selected barrels of our Four Grain Bourbon, each aged for two years. These barrels represented at least one from each of the first 16 spirit runs ever conducted by our founder and CEO, Al Laws, with guidance from his mentor, Bill Friel, Master Distiller from Bardstown, Kentucky.
This whiskey was married in a stainless-steel tank, allowing it to mingle and mellow for a few days. It was then reintroduced to its original 53-gallon #3 char barrels, renumbered, re-racked, and marked with a single defining word: “ORIGINS.”
Friends and family purchased stakes in many of these barrels, providing critical funding for designing and manufacturing our signature custom bottles and establishing other key elements of the Laws Whiskey House brand. While some barrels were sold as private single-barrel offerings, others became the foundation of what we now know as the beloved ORIGINS Series.
THE BEGINNING
The ORIGINS Series debuted with Barrel #9, released in December 2020. At nine and a half years old, it was the oldest whiskey released by Laws Whiskey House at that time, showcasing nearly a decade of meticulous aging and craftsmanship.
In 2021, we celebrated our 10th anniversary of distilling with ORIGINS Series X, crafted from the last three barrels of the original ORIGINS batch. These barrels, aged for 10 years, honored our past while signaling a bold future. As Al Laws often says, “The best whiskey ever made at Laws Whiskey House is coming off the still right now.” With that mindset, each subsequent ORIGINS release has been crafted with thought, intention, and reverence for our journey.
A VERTICLE MARRIAGE OF BARRELS TO HIGHLIGHT OUR GROWTH
In 2022, we unveiled INTENTION, an ORIGINS Series release created with meticulous care. Using our flagship Four Grain Straight Bourbon, we combined barrels of various ages—ranging from three to ten years old, at cask strength—to craft a whiskey with exceptional intricacy and balance. The younger barrels contributed vibrant grain and fruit notes, while the older barrels added depth and richness.
In 2023, we introduced CORNERSTONE, a marriage of nine barrels of our San Luis Valley Rye, aged between five and ten years. This inaugural rye release exemplified harmony, showcasing some of the oldest and most exceptional rye whiskey our distillery has produced.
“We loved creating vertical blends for our ORIGINS Series because it perfectly represents what we strive for as a distillery: terroir-led flavors and the highest standards of quality,” explains Al Laws. “Most of our whiskeys are made with barrels from the same or similar lot year. With the ORIGINS Series, we have the opportunity to balance flavors in a whole different way.” – Al Laws
INTRODUCING SUPERWHEATER: A CELEBRATION OF COLORADO TERROIR
Our most recent ORIGINS Series release, SUPER WHEATER, merges the easy-drinking elegance of Four Grain Bourbon with the boldness of 100% Centennial Wheat Whiskey. This unique high-wheat spirit pays homage to wheat, the grain that has fueled civilizations for centuries.
SUPER WHEATER is crafted from hand-selected barrels aged 5 to 12 years, blended to highlight the depth and complexity of Colorado’s heirloom Centennial wheat. Bottled at high proof, this whiskey exudes relaxed sophistication and celebrates Colorado terroir.
As Al Laws reminds us, SUPER WHEATER is “a whiskey made for those who honor tradition but live in the moment.” Pour a glass, slow down, and enjoy the rich character of this remarkable grain.
EXPERIENCE THE ORIGINS SERIES
Be part of our history and savor the evolution, intricacy, and depth of Colorado whiskey crafted with heirloom grains. INTENTION, CORNERSTONE, and SUPER WHEATER are available for purchase at the Laws Whiskey Sanctuary—our brand-new visitor center and cocktail lounge.
Stop by to pick up a bottle or experience all three releases side by side in one of our curated whiskey-tasting flights. Celebrate the past, present, and future of Laws Whiskey House, where every sip tells a story. Bottles retail for $129.99.
Take a deep dive into the ORIGINS Series at our January Whiskey Wednesday event. The experience includes a welcome cocktail, a “Founders/Origins” distillery tour, and a guided tasting of the ORIGINS Series—INTENTION, CORNERSTONE, and SUPER WHEATER—with Founder Al Laws and Head Blender James Kunz. Guests will also enjoy an exclusive pour from a never-before-released ORIGINS barrel and special discounts on select purchases. Get your tickets now.
