Quote from Lenny Eckstein on February 10, 2024, 11:07 am

NOW HIRING: Whiskey Distiller

LOCATION: Buena Vista, Colorado

SALARY: $50-60,000 per year

Attention whiskey wizards! Are you prepared to trade in your current meh-local for the stunning mountain landscapes of Buena Vista, Colorado? Imagine waking up to the sight of 14k foot peaks and the thrill of epic whitewater adventures right outside your door. Now, imagine seizing the opportunity to steer the course of Deerhammer's iconic copper pot stills, contributing to the ongoing legacy of crafting exceptional Colorado whiskey from one of the country’s original gangsters of American single malt. If this sounds like YOUR next whiskey-making adventure, then welcome to Deerhammer Distilling Company!

Deerhammer is a smaller independent distillery that operates dual pot stills of 650 and 250 gallon capacity, 650 gallon mash tun, x3 650 gallon open stainless fermenters capable of yielding 1 barrel of whiskey/day.

We are looking for a candidate who shares our enthusiasm for crafting high-quality whiskey and is eager to contribute to the success and growth of our small distillery. If you meet the qualifications and are ready to take on this exciting role, we encourage you to apply. Please send resume + cover letter to info@deerhammer.com

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Distiller is responsible for taking the helm of all things whiskey production, barrel aging, blending, and bottling. The distiller will also oversee facility upkeep, inventory, reporting, administrative duties, equipment maintenance. All with oversight from Deerhammer’s owner/head-distiller.

Plan on being available to work a flexible schedule (not necessarily mon-fri) of at least 40  hours per week to perform distillery operations. Must be able and willing to do just about anything the company might need - particularly  when production is paused during our warmer summer months. These responsibilities might include such un-production related tasks as: bartending at our tasting room, representing at whiskey festivals and tasting events, shipping and receiving, staff education, leading distillery tours, meeting with accounts to speak about our product lineup, participating in whiskey podcasts, assisting in the kitchen, repairing or assisting to coordinate the repair of anything/everything, 

JOB SPECIFICS:
Whiskey Production - including but not limited to: milling, mashing, fermentation, still operation, proofing, barreling, bottling, ordering, reporting, cleaning.

Facility maintenance: Maintain production facilities to a clean and orderly standard. Ensure equipment, HVAC, plumbing and electric are regularly cleaned, serviced and maintained. 

Inventory: Keep all finished product, unfinished product, raw materials and packaging items at set par levels at all times. Work with vendors to find cost savings when possible.

Compliance: Monthly and quarterly Federal and State excise reporting. Working with the team to maintain accurate operation logs, SOP’s, and safety protocol.

Procurement: Pricing and purchasing of raw materials/ingredients for whiskey production

Professional Development: Stay up to date with current industry standards and best practices, grow understanding of current industry trends. 

Bottling: Oversee a 2-3 person bottling crew during a 4-6 hour botting shift at least once/week. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Have a deep understanding of the overall whiskey production process
• 2-5+ years of experience in the whiskey industry
• Attention to detail in standards of cleanliness and task orientation
• Strong organizational skills
• Able to work autonomously and make decisions to optimize efficiency
• Mechanically inclined and familiar with basic troubleshooting of equipment equipment
• Ability to work within existing systems and identify opportunities to streamline
• Basic computer skills and familiarity with Google WorkSpace
• Capable of adhering to a provided production budget
• Social skills and effective communication to support occasional brand promotion
• Experience with fivex5 / stillhouse management software is a plus
• Flexibility to assist with other facets of the company
• Have a clean driving record
• Passion for craft spirits and a commitment to quality
• Positive attitude, and desire to engage in river and trail-related activities is a plus

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Candidates must be able to lift 50 lbs on a consistent basis, with weight up to 75 lbs occasionally. May involve exposure to cold, hot and humidity. Forklift operating skills a must. 

Deerhammer distillery occupies a fairly compact footprint. Candidates must be able to handle squatting, crawling, ducking, and squeezing through somewhat tight spaces.

BENEFITS: 

Disability, food and whiskey benefit, flexible schedule, potential for relocation and temporary housing assistance available, paid time off. Please note that this position does not offer health benefits.

Deerhammer is a well established independent whiskey distillery and tasting room located in Buena Vista, Colorado. Our distilling is steeped in whiskey tradition, but our methods are infused with curiosity and creativity. From our cornerstone American single malt to our 4-grain bourbon, rye whiskey and limited run single barrel expressions, we are redefining the flavor—and future—of American craft whiskey.