Foley Family Wines & Spirits Launches Penumbra Mezcal
Foley Family Wines & Spirits has launched Penumbra Mezcal, the first agave spirit developed by Chip Tate, the company’s Master Distiller of Innovation. Tate designed the mezcal to explore the role of smoke while maintaining the character of the agave.
Penumbra takes its name from the portion of a solar eclipse where light remains at the edge of the shadow. A maestro mezcalero produces the spirit at a single palenque in Santa Ana del Río, Oaxaca, following specifications developed by Tate.
Tate developed Penumbra’s production process around several choices intended to control the smoke profile. The palenque uses local Encino, a type of live oak, instead of mesquite for pit roasting, according to the company. Producers conduct a three-day controlled roast and introduce the agaves after the initial smoke from the fire has dissipated. Workers also remove over-charred portions of the agave after roasting. During distillation, tighter cuts separate the portion of the spirit that Tate says provides the cleanest profile.
“Smoke is one of the most important but ethereal elements in mezcal,” said Tate. “The flavors of pit roasting are so foundational to what mezcal is – but the balance is important. So, the agave must be roasted just right and well-trimmed to yield an elegant, nuanced smoke. My aim with Penumbra was to balance and control the smoke to complement the ripe, bright agave—not dominate it.”
Penumbra is bottled at 46% ABV. The company lists tasting notes of roasted agave, grilled honeydew, grapefruit zest, peppercorn, salinity and white chocolate, with smoke forming part of the profile. The mezcal can be served neat or used in cocktails including a Mezcal Margarita and an Oaxacan Old Fashioned.
“The mezcal category continues to demonstrate strong momentum, growing 5.1%* as more consumers discover the depth, authenticity, and craftsmanship that define the spirit,” said Jason Daniel, CMO of Foley Family Wine & Spirits. “As interest in premium agave spirits expands, we see a significant opportunity to introduce drinkers to innovative mezcal expressions that remain rooted in tradition. This launch reflects our commitment to investing in the category’s future and sharing the rich heritage of mezcal with an evolving audience.”
The mezcal is available through retailers nationally with a suggested retail price of $45 per 750-ml. bottle.
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