Since opening its doors in 2014, BSD has become a cornerstone of the downtown area. The Harris duo has masterfully transformed their distillery into a multifaceted enterprise that proudly embodies the motto: "Montana Made, Montana Sourced." Every aspect of their operation reflects their deep commitment to the region—starting with the pristine snowmelt water from Mount Blackmore that nourishes the barley used in their spirits. This local approach extends to their on-site manufacturing, distilling, bottling, and distribution, ensuring that every bottle of their distilled spirits tells a story of place, community, and craftsmanship.

 

One of BSD's standout features is its commitment to a "from Mountain Top to Bar Top" experience. The simple philosophy of buying locally extends from eating locally raised produce and meats to now drinking locally, emphasizing the quality of its ingredients and the passion behind the craft. Each sip of its spirits offers a taste of Montana’s rich landscape, connecting patrons to the very essence of the state.

 

Their remarkable journey, which began as fellow Bobcats in the early 90s, of creating and building various Bozeman businesses, most notably Bozeman Spirits, coupled with their profound contributions to our local community, has solidified their reputations as true pillars and staples of Bozeman’s vibrant landscape. During our conversation, Jim shared valuable insights about their journey, mission, and deep roots in the Bozeman community:

Greet Bozeman Magazine (GB): Please introduce yourself and your family to our readers. We’d love to learn more about your deep roots in the Bozeman community.

Jim Harris (JH): Absolutely! I’m originally from North Carolina. After spending two years at Appalachian State, I moved to Bozeman in 1992 to finish my degree in photography at Montana State University (MSU). My wife, Mary Pat (MP), was born and raised in Miles City and studied art at MSU. We met on campus in 1993.

 

I remember seeing Mary Pat around campus several times before we met. One day, while I was working part-time at F-11 Photo & Print Refinery, she came into the store. I followed her to Frank’s Hot Dog stand on Main Street, where we started our first conversation. I grabbed a hot dog, but she did not! We got married in 1999.

 

We have two wonderful sons: Fisher, our oldest, graduated from the University of Utah and now lives in Bozeman. Our youngest, Tucker, is attending Arizona State University and is on the men’s gymnastics team. Our family is rounded out by our 5-year-old lab, Kona, the daughter of our beloved Trigger.

 

GB: What were your career paths before starting Bozeman Spirits Distillery?

JH: After graduating in 1994, I dove into a career in real estate and eventually opened my own brokerage company. Meanwhile, Mary Pat worked in the insurance industry. I also ventured into entrepreneurship, founding several successful businesses, including Outside Bozeman Magazine in 1999 with Mike England. Friends often call me a serial entrepreneur, but I owe much of my success to Mary Pat, who has been an invaluable partner in all my ventures.

 

GB: How did you develop the idea for Bozeman Spirits Distillery?

JH: From my early days at F-11, I had a vision of owning a business downtown that truly reflects the community spirit of Montana. So, in 2010, MP and I began traveling around various states, looking for a new and unique business venture that we could bring to downtown Bozeman. We eventually stumbled onto distilling after exploring a brewery downtown. It was the perfect idea and timing, too, as Federal distilling laws changed in 2008 to allow for tasting rooms, and shortly thereafter, Montana laws followed suit.

 

GB: When did you officially open Bozeman Spirits Distillery?

JH: In 2012, we seized upon our newfound business idea, took over the historic Schnee’s building on Main Street, and founded Bozeman Spirits Distillery (BSD). We transformed the space, using wood from the original late 1930s floorboards to create our tabletops and bar tops. While I was fortunate enough to meet and learn from several people in the industry who took me under their wings early on, I owe a particular debt of gratitude to my old friend, Thomas McGuane, who became our head distiller when we first opened and stayed with us for the next five years. A fellow Bobcat, Thomas became integral to our business venture from the beginning, both in the immeasurable amount of hard work in remodeling the Schnee’s building and helping produce and distill the spirits. We just went at it hard, and two years later, we proudly opened our doors on Halloween 2014.

 

GB: What makes BSD unique? What sets you apart from other distilleries?

JH: Our deep-rooted connection to Montana is what truly defines us. We use pure Montana water sourced from the snow-capped peaks of the Gallatin Mountain Range. This pristine water flows into local creeks—Hyalite, Sourdough, and Bozeman Creeks—which form the foundation of our community’s watershed. We utilize this water to irrigate the 50 acres of farmland we own just south of town, where we grow the barley used in our spirits. Now in our 11th year, we’ve crafted 17 standard distinct spirits, a handful of yearly private labels, and special releases, all produced in-house at our craft distillery. We hand-bottle and distribute our offerings across Montana and over 40 states nationwide.

 

GB: What are some of your favorite and most popular spirits?

JH: Our Montana Cold Spring Huckleberry Vodka is our standout spirit and has gained a reputation as the number one craft vodka in the state. Sourcing these unique huckleberries and maintaining their distinctive aroma and quality has been one of our proudest achievements. Following closely is our Montana 1889 Whiskey. Production of whiskey and bourbon is limited because they must age in 53-gallon white American oak barrels, which takes time. The aging process adds an exciting element to our business, as it can take years before we truly know the final product. As we look ahead, we’re thrilled to announce the release of more single-barrel offerings, which will surely excite us and our customers.

 

GB: How does BSD connect with and contribute to the local community?

JH: Since the early 90s, we have called Bozeman home, and the unwavering support from our community has been invaluable to us. Our distillery allows us to thrive as a business and equips us with the resources to give back to causes that resonate with our values. We proudly support numerous organizations, including the Cancer Support Community, Eagle Mount, Warriors & Quiet Waters, the Gallatin River Task Force, Heart of the Valley, Montana State University Athletics, and various high school sports. One of the most fulfilling aspects of our work is the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to our community. Recently, we completed a fundraiser for Heart of the Valley, donating $10,000 from the proceeds of a unique limited-release bourbon crafted just for them.

As Bozeman and Gallatin County grow, we encourage everyone to remember the incredible local businesses that enrich our town. Downtown is thriving with vibrant family-owned enterprises that need our support. Remember to prioritize shopping local and supporting Montana businesses!

 

GB: Is there anything else you’d like our readers to know about BSD?

JH: Yes! We invite everyone to join us for distillery tours, which can be booked online through our website. This is a fantastic opportunity to witness our spirits being crafted and bottled and to learn about the distillation process. We also encourage you to visit our tasting room in downtown Bozeman to sample our award-winning craft spirits, including rum, bourbon, whiskey, gin, and vodka—all infused with the essence of Montana!

 

Visit Us: Bozeman Spirits Distillery
 121 W Main St
 Bozeman, MT 59715
 406-577-2155
 www.BozemanSpirits.com
 Instagram: @bozemanspirits