Blackhat Distillery Is Redefining American Agave Spirits and Springs Things Got a Taste!

Colorado Springs has never been short on craft beverage talent, but few local producers are pushing boundaries quite like Blackhat Distillery.  Known for their commitment to quality and innovation, Blackhat has quietly become one of the leaders in the emerging world of American-made agave spirits.  We at Springs Things, alongside local food god, Mathew Schniper (of Side Dish) were recently invited in for a private tasting, and to say that we left impressed would be an understatement!  These guys (and gals) are doing something different and of notice! 

The star of the show was undoubtedly Blackhat's flagship Duelers Agave Series, a lineup that showcases just how exciting American agave spirits can be when they're crafted with patience, creativity, and a little bit of American, whiskey barrel age.

Before we dive into the bottles themselves, let's clear something up: these spirits are not tequila. Not because they're different in quality or production methods, but because they legally can't be called tequila.  Much like Champagne must come from the Champagne region of France, tequila can only be produced in specific regions of Mexico and must follow strict regulations. Blackhat uses agave and many of the same traditional techniques that tequila producers use, but because the spirits are distilled right here in Colorado Springs, they fall into the category of American agave spirits. That though, actually, gives them a huge realm of flexibility that “tequila” makers do not have!

In fact, what we liked most was that, rather than trying to imitate tequila, Blackhat is helping define an entirely new American category.  Each expression highlights different characteristics of the agave. The flavors are rich, yet not heavy; the taste is potent but not overwhelming, and the finish is remarkably smooth.  With the agave fruit adding a surprising layer of earthiness that you don’t find in any whiskey. On that note, we all felt that the different varieties were much more akin to whiskey than in any tequila we had tried.  And I mean that in a very good way!

While every bottle impressed us, one expression stood above the rest: Duelers Midnight.

From the first sip, it was obvious this wasn't your average spirit!  Wheat, Rye, Barley, Agave? Whatever the hell it is, this is just plain good.  The aging process (which they do in whiskey barrels) transforms the bright vegetal notes of the agave into something deeper and more complex. Time spent resting the charred oak barrels introduces layers of caramel, vanilla, toasted oak, baking spices, and subtle hints of chocolate that complement rather than overpower the agave character.  The result is a spirit that manages to feel both familiar and completely unique at the same time.   But seriously, don’t just take out word for it! You can find the Duelers series on the back bar at T-Byrd’s Tacos & Tequila and district elleven, located downtown Colorado Springs! Stop in and try it for yourself.

If we had left the tasting after just sampling the Duelers series, we would have felt completely satisfied, but fortunately for us, the Blackhat deck is deeper than meets the eye. 

This week also marks the release of Golden Hearth Rum, a new expression that further demonstrates the versatility of the distillery's team.  Light, inviting, and packed with a raw sweetness, Golden Hearth delivers warm notes of brown sugar, vanilla, caramelized fruit, and soft oak.  The name fits perfectly.  Expect to see this in at least a few cocktail bars downtown very soon, wink, wink…

I think for us, what stood out most wasn't just the quality of the spirits, but the passion behind them. The team at Blackhat Distillery clearly isn't interested in following trends. They're interested in creating exceptional products, exploring new categories, and helping put Colorado Springs on the map as a destination for world-class craft distilling.  Btw… New Master Distiller, Kyle Bonasso, is a hidden gem, keep a close eye on this one. 

Special thanks to both Kyle and Erica at Blackhat, and Mathew Schniper from Side Dish for making this blog possible.   Good times, great people, and absolutely phenomenal booze!!  Cheers!

*Also, if you are interested in learning more about Blackhat Distillery or checking out their tasting room (where you can purchase bottles directly), check them out at The Alexander Building, also home of local favorite, “The Public House at The Alexander”, located off Nevada. You can find the address here.