Launching Summer West

My name is Noah, and I’m the founder of Summer West Bourbon. I’m a University of Colorado Boulder alum, a mountain biker, and a bourbon connoisseur.

Back in October 2023, I launched Bravado Whiskey. A 1,200-bottle release of Colorado-distilled bourbon. The whiskey sold well, but a trademark challenge made it clear that building a long-term company on shaky legal ground wasn’t sustainable. We quietly sold through the batch, and I took that moment as an opportunity to reflect on what I learned in market, speaking with the customers, and think about how to re-launch.

Two things stood out:

• Most bourbons look the same.

• Most aren’t designed to be approachable for newer drinkers.

That insight shaped every decision behind Summer West. From which distilleries we partner with, our branding, and the flavor itself.

Our hand-painted bottle was a conscious choice to reflect what we actually put inside the bottle: a bourbon that’s exciting, modern, and approachable.

This is just the beginning. I can’t wait for you to share a pour with us.

Cheers,
Noah