A Perfect Pairing: Honest Hands and Stranahan’s Forge a Legacy of Craftsmanship in a Once-in-a-Lifetime Sweepstakes
In the heart of Colorado, where the Rocky Mountains stand as silent sentinels to artistry and ambition, a unique collaboration is brewing. Honest Hands Ring Co., a Morrison-based jeweler celebrated for its deeply personal and handcrafted pieces, has joined forces with the legendary Stranahan’s Colorado Single Malt Whiskey. This partnership culminates in a sweepstakes that is more than just a giveaway; it’s an immersive celebration of shared values, meticulous craftsmanship, and the unwavering loyalty of their respective followings.
For the entire month of August, whiskey aficionados and jewelry connoisseurs alike have the opportunity to enter a sweepstakes that promises an unparalleled experience. Three fortunate winners will not only receive a private, behind-the-scenes tour and tasting at the renowned Stranahan’s distillery in Denver but will also collaborate in the creation of a bespoke piece of jewelry. The grand prize is a stunning 10k gold ring, meticulously crafted by Honest Hands founder Benjamin Bosworth, featuring a custom inlay of a stave from a historic Stranahan’s whiskey barrel.
An Experience Forged in Gold and Whiskey
The allure of this prize extends far beyond the material. Each winner will have the rare privilege of hand-selecting their own barrel stave from the aromatic depths of Stranahan’s rackhouse, the very place where the distillery’s award-winning single malt whiskey patiently ages to perfection. A stave, one of the narrow, curved wooden planks that form the sides of a whiskey barrel, is steeped in history and character. These staves, typically fashioned from American white oak, are not merely wood; they are silent storytellers, having spent years imparting their unique flavors and rich amber hue to the whiskey nestled within.
For the winners, this personal selection transforms the ring from a beautiful object into a tangible piece of their own story, interwoven with the legacy of Stranahan’s. The journey of the ring begins in the heart of the distillery, a sensory wonderland where the air is thick with the sweet, malty aroma of fermenting grains and the rich, earthy scent of aging whiskey.
A Journey Through the Senses: The Stranahan’s Distillery Experience
A tour of Stranahan’s is a pilgrimage for any whiskey lover. It’s an intimate exploration of the meticulous process that transforms four simple ingredients—100% malted barley, yeast, Rocky Mountain water, and time—into a symphony of flavor. Visitors are guided through every step of the journey, from the mashing and fermentation to the double-distillation in gleaming copper pot stills. The experience is designed to engage all the senses, allowing guests to fully appreciate the nuances that make Stranahan’s a pioneer in American single malt whiskey.
Guided tastings, led by knowledgeable experts, reveal the complex tapestry of flavors, aromas, and textures present in each expression. Participants learn to discern the subtle notes of caramel, vanilla, and spice imparted by the charred oak barrels, a testament to the ancient art of cooperage.
A Shared Philosophy: From Garage Beginnings to Artisanal Excellence
The collaboration between Honest Hands and Stranahan’s is a natural fit, born from a shared ethos of passion, innovation, and a deep respect for their craft. “We’re really similar as brands—both of us started in our respective garages, and we’re both experiencing a lot of growth,” explains Benjamin Bosworth. This humble beginning is a cornerstone of both companies’ identities, a reminder that true quality is not born in boardrooms, but in the hands of dedicated artisans.
Bosworth’s own journey into jewelry making is a testament to this philosophy. A Michigan native and an alum of Michigan State University with a degree in engineering, Bosworth’s path was not that of a traditional jeweler. His foray into the craft began with a personal quest: to create his own wedding band. Frustrated by the conventional offerings, he took to his 1942 Logan lathe and, through a process of trial and error, forged a ring that was a true reflection of his own style and values.
What started as a personal project soon blossomed into a thriving business, as friends, family, and eventually, a wider audience, were captivated by his unique, handcrafted designs. Honest Hands Ring Co. is built on a foundation of calloused hands, hard work, and a firm handshake, a mantra Bosworth was raised on. Each ring is a testament to this, a simple, lightweight, and tasteful piece, individually crafted with meticulous attention to detail.
This dedication to craftsmanship is mirrored in the story of Stranahan’s. The distillery was born from an unlikely friendship forged in the ashes of a barn fire. Volunteer firefighter Jess Graber responded to a fire at the barn of George Stranahan, a brewery owner and whiskey connoisseur. Amidst the destruction, they discovered a shared passion for the outdoors and a fine pour of whiskey, a bond that would ultimately lead to the creation of Colorado’s first legal distillery since Prohibition.
A Midwest Connection Forged in Craft
Adding another layer to this compelling partnership is a shared Midwestern heritage. Both Bosworth and Stranahan’s Head Distiller Justin Aden are proud alumni of Michigan State University. While Bosworth was honing his engineering skills, Aden was delving into the world of microbiology and molecular genetics, a field that would prove invaluable in the nuanced art of whiskey distillation. This shared background further solidifies the connection between the two brands, a testament to the diverse paths that can lead to a passion for craft.
The Heart of the Collaboration: A Ring That Tells a Story
The centerpiece of this sweepstakes, the custom-made 10k gold ring, is a masterpiece of design and engineering. The challenge for Bosworth and his team was to seamlessly integrate the whiskey-soaked oak into the precious metal. “Oak has such intricate patterns in it that we needed to develop a process to make a seamless design for the ring,” Bosworth explains. “That way it looks like the wood is continuous all of the way around.”
The process requires a level of precision that can only be achieved through a combination of advanced technology and skilled hand-finishing. The devil, as Bosworth notes, is in the details. The selection of the right stave is crucial, as is the way it is cut to reveal the captivating horizontal and diagonal lines within the oak. The wood is then carefully sandwiched between the gold, a delicate operation that demands the utmost care and expertise.
To further commemorate this unique collaboration, the inside of each ring will be laser-engraved with the iconic Stranahan’s logo, a lasting reminder of the winner’s immersive experience. Bosworth hopes these rings will become cherished heirlooms, passed down through generations, each one carrying the story of its creation and the spirit of Colorado craftsmanship.
A Nod to the “Diehard Fans”: The Snowflake Phenomenon
Stranahan’s has cultivated a legion of devoted followers, a community of “diehard fans” who are known for their unwavering loyalty. This is never more apparent than during the annual release of their highly coveted “Snowflake” whiskey. This limited-edition bottling, with each batch being entirely unique, has developed a cult-like following.
Fans have been known to camp out for days in the frigid Colorado winter, their dedication a testament to the allure of this rare and exceptional whiskey. The Snowflake release is more than just a product launch; it’s a celebration, a gathering of a passionate community united by their love for Stranahan’s. It is this very passion that Bosworth and his team at Honest Hands seek to honor with this collaboration. “We don’t take this super fandom lightly, and we really want to deliver the right product,” says Bosworth. “We want them to be really proud and happy to wear it.”
This sweepstakes is a tribute to that unwavering devotion, offering a select few the opportunity to own a piece of Stranahan’s history, transformed into a wearable work of art. It is a celebration of the spirit of Colorado, a testament to the power of craftsmanship, and a shining example of what can be achieved when two brands, united by a shared passion, come together to create something truly special. The sweepstakes is open for entries online through August 31st, offering a chance to win not just a prize, but a legacy.
