Rising Stars: Meet Matt Hondorf

Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Hondorf. 

Hi Matt, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
In March of 202o, I really got into spirits. Looking at social media, there was endless amounts of pages and information about whiskey and other spirits. I noticed that there we’re a ton of review pages, but no pages focused on whiskey and spirits made here in Colorado. I felt like this was something that needed to be shared with the world! I created the Colorado Spirits Collective. Of course, at that time COVID shut everything down, distilleries could not have guests or give tours! This obviously made it hard to film YouTube interviews, videos and gather content. At the beginning of 2021, I was finally able to start growing my page, and getting content to create, building some amazing relationships, etc. Now at the beginning of 2022. We have a huge festival in the works for June 25th, 2022, that I am teaming up with Blackhat Distillery for which will be held here in the Springs. I have a monthly whiskey tasting that is booked out for the rest of the year that brings out-of-town distilleries to the Springs to showcase their spirits and get a bigger following down south. And I am going to start working with a distillery here in Colorado Springs and take over their events. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I have definitely had some struggles along the way! As I mentioned in the prior question. Along with the entire spirits industry from social media to distilleries themselves, the entire hospitality industry, COVID put a huge stop to literally everything. I felt like I had to change my approach and do everything completely online and build relationships the best that I could. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Absolutely, so I specialize in Colorado spirits showcasing. I do that via YouTube Interviews, events, etc. I began as an Instagram page and what I noticed is that there were only pages reviewing spirits. I wanted to be able to showcase individual distilleries and have them tell their story. I would have to be most proud of the fact that I hosted my first event and sold out the venue and the amazing relationships I’ve built along the way. I also teamed up with Ryan of the Colorado Bourbon Community to do a fundraiser for the Marshall Fire victims and we were able to raise almost $20K! 

Any big plans?
I would say no big changes coming, I just want to build on what I am currently doing, visit more distilleries, expose as many people as I can to the amazing craft spirits of Colorado. Host as many different types of events as I can and continue to spread the word! 

Contact Info:

• Email: cospiritscollective@outlook.com
• Website: www.socostillfest.com
• Instagram: @cospiritscollective
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cospiritscollective
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8gP5rhi-0f0C1l8NplJ2-A

Image Credits
T. Wes Photography.