Popular Highland Tasting Room Closing, Distillery Will Live On

Last week was packed with closure announcements, and this week is kicking off with yet another one, as The Family Jones has announced plans to close its tasting room, the Spirit House, on May 1.

The craft distillery was founded in 2017 by distiller Rob Masters and CEO Paul Tamburello. It made a big splash when it debuted, giving Denver its first distillery-restaurant, housed in a chapel-like space with a mezzanine where the copper still was on full display over the sunken bar below. With its lush, upscale interior and a full food menu, the Spirit House was a totally different take on the traditional distillery tasting room.

Over the years, the space underwent some changes, including paring back its food offerings and undergoing a 2024 refresh of its interior.

Now, with the Spirit House closing, Masters and Tamburello are refocusing on the distillery business. “Consumer habits, distribution dynamics, and the economics of operating physical hospitality spaces are evolving,” says Tamburello. “We’re responding with clarity and intention by refocusing our energy on distilling, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring we continue building an innovative spirits company.”

“This next chapter is about returning to our roots as distillers,” says Masters. “Our wholesale business is expected to continue growing over the next several years, and to sustain that momentum and best support our restaurant and retail partners, we’re shifting our focus fully to wholesale.”

While we’ll miss sipping cocktails at the Spirit House, we’re happy that the company will continue to produce its standout spirits, made with ingredients sourced from local family farms practicing regenerative agriculture. Favorites include Annika Jones Vodka (great for martinis), Juniper Jones Gin and its Earl Grey-spiked variant, which makes a fine gin and tonic, as well as two whiskeys, Ella Jones Colorado Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Atticus Jones Colorado Straight Rye Whiskey. Family Jones also produces a line of ready-to-drink cocktails dubbed Automatic Jones.

Even after the tasting room shutters, these products will be available online and at more than 300 on-premise and 250 retail partners in Colorado.

“While there is a sorrow attached to closing this unique tasting room that has been a gathering place for neighbors and the Denver community since 2017, we’re excited about the future and expanding The Family,” Tamburello concludes. “It’s been a fun, exciting run, and we are truly grateful for everyone who has been part of our Denver tasting room. We hope to see you one last time to share a toast!”

The Family Jones Spirit House is located at 3245 Osage Street and will be open from 4 to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 4 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 4 to 10 p.m. Sunday through May 1. For more information, visit thefamilyjones.co/thespirithouse.