BrewDog creates Tequila

Scottish producer BrewDog Distilling Co has moved into the Tequila category, launching a blanco expression called Casa Rayos.

BrewDog produces Casa Rayos in collaboration with the Orendain family, who are said to be the third-oldest Tequila-distilling family in the Mexican town of Tequila.

To create the 100% agave Tequila, BrewDog Distilling Co’s new CEO Martin Dickie (also co-founder of BrewDog) and master distiller Steven Kersley worked closely with the Orendain family, blending 12 varieties from copper pots and stainless steel distillations.

The product’s name refers to a myth in Mexico named the ‘the lucky strike’, in which someone is thought to to have witnessed a thunderbolt hit an agave plant, which fermented the juices within and led to the discovery of Tequila.

On why BrewDog has decided to enter the category, Kersley said: ‘We’ve long looked on with jealousy at the burgeoning Tequila category, and with growing frustration, because we couldn’t participate by creating some agave magic at our distillery in Scotland.

“With a clear vision of the style of Tequila we wanted to create, we didn’t want to wait any longer so we set off to find the spirit we wanted to bottle. The partnership with Orendain made this possible. They distil some of the best tequila in Mexico and it was a dream for us to collaborate on creating this one-of-a-kind Tequila.”

The Tequila is said to be ‘loaded’ with lime and orange citrus zest, alongside spicy cracked black pepper, pink peppercorn and an ‘earthy component’. It is recommended sipped neat or for turning Margarita and Paloma cocktails into ‘something special’.

The liquid is presented in an azure-tinted bottle with a leafy design that pays homage to the agave plant.

Casa Rayos Tequila can be picked up for RRP £40 (US$40), at BrewDog bars in the UK and on the brand’s website.

An unnamed spokesman from the Orendain family added: “When we were approached by the team at BrewDog Distilling Company to help them craft their own Tequila, we were seriously impressed by their passion for the product, history of Tequila and the category.

“It was apparent from day one that they take what they do very seriously, which struck a chord with us, because we do too. We worked closely with Martin and Steven to develop a unique blanco-style Tequila using 100% Blue Weber agave. We went through more than 40 different Tequilas before we agreed on a final product.”

BrewDog also produces whisky, vodka, gin, rum and RTD cocktails.

With Casa Rayos, the company will focus on the on-trade first before eventually exploring a reposado and an añejo.

Last year, BrewDog revealed £7 million (US$8.8m) expansion plans for an updated still house and new branding. Its distillery opened over the road from the BrewDog brewery in Ellon, Aberdeen, in 2021.