Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey Hires 1st Head Blender Ahead of Imminent US Government Designation for American Single Malt Category

(Photo: Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey)

On Monday, Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey announced the hiring of Justin Aden as the first head blender in the company’s 19-year history.

In his new role, Aden will oversee the blending, distillation and maturation of Stranahan’s single malt whiskeys, the brand said in a news release.

“It is an honor to be entrusted to take the reins as the first Head Blender of beloved Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey,” Aden said. “Working alongside our veteran distillery team to advance Stranahan’s legacy as the leader of American Single Malt at this seminal moment for the category is the privilege of a whiskey maker’s career.”

Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey is one of the leading producers of American single malt whiskey — a rapidly growing category that Stranahan’s says it expects to receive an official designation from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau “any day now.”

Aden has nearly 14 years of experience in the whiskey industry, including a role as distillery operator and research scientist at Michigan State University’s Artisan Distilling Program. He has also worked as head distiller and production manager at Headframe Spirits Distilling and distiller, blender and head of operations at Valentine Distilling Company.

Aden holds a degree in microbiology and molecular genetics from MSU with a specialization in ethanol fermentation science.

Aden’s first task at Stranahan’s is crafting Stranahan’s annual “Snowflake” whiskey, which is made available at the distillery in Denver for just one day each December.

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