Tequila is a protected designation. To be called tequila, a spirit must be produced from blue Weber agave in authorized regions of Mexico, under Mexican regulation. Nothing distilled in Kentucky can carry the name, no matter what it is made from.
Glenns Creek Distillery, in Frankfort, makes a spirit from 100% blue agave anyway. Because it is produced in Kentucky, it cannot legally be called tequila, so the distillery calls it Kentuila — released under the name El Capitan's Frigate Kentuila.
What it is, precisely
Kentuila is a Kentucky-made blue agave spirit produced by Glenns Creek Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky. It is not tequila, and Glenns Creek does not market it as tequila. It is an agave distillate made in the Bourbon State.
It is offered across the same three expressions agave drinkers already understand, and the aged versions lean on the material Kentucky has more of than anywhere else on earth: used bourbon barrels.
- Blanco — unaged, the clearest look at the distillate
- Reposado — rested in previously used Kentucky bourbon barrels
- Añejo — longer aging in previously used Kentucky bourbon barrels
Why it matters here
Kentucky's whole spirits identity is built on wood, time and place. An agave spirit distilled in Frankfort and aged in barrels that once held Kentucky bourbon is the most literal version of this site's editorial thesis: bourbon country meets agave.
It is a small-production curiosity rather than a bottle you will find on every shelf. Check with the distillery for current availability before making the drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Kentuila tequila?
- No. Kentuila is a Kentucky-made blue agave spirit produced by Glenns Creek Distillery in Frankfort. It is not legally tequila, because tequila must be produced in designated regions of Mexico.
- Is any tequila made in Kentucky?
- No. Tequila is a protected designation of origin and can only be produced in authorized regions of Mexico. Kentucky produces agave spirits, not tequila.
Some links on Kentucky Loves Tequila may take you to third-party retailers. Availability and pricing can change.