News Notes: Elijah Craig's Tavern Tour, Chip Tate's New Tequila & More
October 9, 2026 –––––– Aubrey Thompson
Elijah Craig Debuts 70-Stop Tavern Trail for Old Fashioned Week
This weekend kicks off Elijah Craig’s seventh annual Old Fashioned Week, celebrating the classic cocktail and, this year, offering fans a new experience through a 70-stop Tavern Trail. Running from October 9th to October 18th, $1 from every Old Fashioned sold at participating locations nationwide will go toward the Southern Smoke Foundation, providing emergency relief and free mental health services to hospitality workers in need. The Tavern Trail includes 70 participating locations, ranging from colonial-era taverns to modern gathering spaces.
Whiskey Distiller Chip Tate Turns to Tequila
Chip Tate’s latest release as master distiller of innovation for Foley Family Wine & Spirits follows the August launch of Penumbra mezcal. Once again, he focused on agave, this time tequila. Gran Nota Triple Oak Reposado is the inaugural bottling made in conjunction with the Banuelos family-owned and operated distillery that produces El Mexicano. The Jalisco Highlands agave is slow-cooked for three days in traditional brick ovens and, unlike typical tequila methods, is fermented with whiskey yeast for five days. It then spends 5-14 months in new custom American oak, new custom European oak, and whiskey barrels, each with varying toast levels. Bottled at 45% ABV, it’s available nationwide and online for $55.
Lucky D Distilling Co. Launches Trio of Bourbon RTDs
Maryland-based, woman and veteran-owned Lucky D Distilling Co. has launched its inaugural lineup of ready-to-drink bourbon cocktails. The collection includes three expressions: Old Fashioned, Gold Rush, and Peach Smash. Each is 30% ABV and comes in a compact 100-ml can. Four-packs of each flavor are available for presale online for $48, and a variety pack featuring all three flavors is priced at $70. Presales run through October 23, with orders expected to begin shipping in late October.
Two Stacks Irish Cream Gets a Canned Format
Last year, Two Stacks Irish Whiskey introduced its cream liqueur, made from a blend of grain, pot still, double malt, and peated malt whiskeys. The initial launch included 700-ml bottles, but now 100-ml cans are also available for drinkers on the go. These cans can be found nationwide and online for a suggested retail price of $7. This is the latest Two Stacks expression to get the “Dram in a Can” treatment; the brand says the smaller format is ideal for sampling, but the cans also make for great stocking stuffers.
