News Notes: Chip Tate Does Mezcal, New Highlands Distillery in Scotland, and More

Chip Tate’s First Mezcal Has Arrived

Craft whiskey pioneer Chip Tate, best known for founding Balcones Distillery in Waco, has created his first mezcal for Foley Family Wines & Spirits. Penumbra, distilled in Santa Ana del Río in Oaxaca, aims to capture the spirit’s traditional smokiness. It uses espadín agave grown in the foothills of the Sierra Juárez, which is chopped with machetes, crushed using a tahona wheel, fire-roasted in a pit using local encino wood (rather than the typical mesquite), and distilled over an open flame. It’s available nationally at a suggested retail price of $45.

New Scotch Distillery Granted Approval

Late last week, The Highland Council gave final approval for a new single malt distillery along Loch Leven near Ballachulish Bridge. Glenachulish Distillery is set to begin the first phase of construction next year with the goal of firing up its stills by 2028. The space is planned to have a stillhouse with three pot stills, a retail shop, tasting rooms, and a café with a terrace overlooking the loch. The project costs around $8.1 million and is spearheaded by the family behind Bar 1890, the whisky lounge located at Creag Mhor Lodge.

1800 Tequila Debuts Artist-Designed Colección Extra Añejo

1800 Tequila has expanded its ultra-premium Colección series with a new extra añejo, Mono Laberinto Doble, created in collaboration with the late Mexican surrealist artist Pedro Friedeberg, continuing a long-running partnership that began in 2017. Presented in a pyramid-shaped decanter inspired by Mexico's Mayan pyramids, the tequila was aged for at least 3 years in new American oak and French oak casks that previously held amarone. The $11,000 release is available online.

Lexington’s Kentucky Pumpkin Barrel Ale is Back

Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co., part of Town Branch Distillery, has brought back its seasonal Pumpkin Barrel ale. This beer is brewed with pumpkin butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, and then aged in freshly dumped bourbon barrels. It will be available this month through fall with a suggested retail price of $17/4-pack.

Copperworks Benefits Local Wildfire Relief

Washington single malt producer Copperworks Distilling Co. announced that it will contribute funds to support those impacted by the wildfires currently raging across Spokane County. Throughout the month of August, the distillery will donate $20 from every bottle of Farmsmith sold to the H.O.M.E Starts Here Fund, which provides resources, including rental assistance, medical equipment, transportation, clothing, baby formula, and other necessities to those impacted by the fires. “The farming families and partners around Spokane aren’t just our suppliers; they are our friends,” said Copperworks president and co-founder Jason Parker. “Our thoughts are with the individuals, families, and communities affected by the Spokane Complex Fire.”