Spirits are raised in The Foundry District with the March 20 opening of Blackland Distillery, a new cocktail bar, tasting room, and maker of small-batch liquors.
Blackland, which distills vodka, bourbon, rye whiskey, and — a local rarity, gin — comes from Markus Kypreos, a lawyer turned chef turned distiller and Fort Worth native.
On a recent tour of the 6,500-square-foot facility, Kypreos emphasized Blackland's use of cutting-edge technology — such as computerized pot and column stills — to produce "clean," high-quality spirits.
“We built Blackland Distillery based on the concept of ‘remastering,’ which is woven into every touch point — ingredients, fermentation, distillation, maturation, blending, flavor profiles, architecture, bottle and package design, cocktail offerings, and more,” Kypreos further explains in a release. “After years of planning, research, and development — combined with technological innovation and refined approaches — we are ecstatic to finally unveil Blackland Distillery to the public and showcase how to remaster distilling and drinking.”
All grains used in Blackland spirits come exclusively from TexMalt, located on I-35 in the old O.B. Macaroni building, which partners with local Texas farms to grow, produce, and source high-quality malted grains.
Blackland has an expert in head distiller Ezra Cox, who counts over 20 years in the craft brewing and craft distilling industries, including Revolver Brewing, Bishop Cider Co., and Cowlitz River Distillery. He most recently served as lead brewer at Legal Draft Beer Company.
Kypreos' and Cox's work behind the doors of the distillery will yield what most visitors to Blackland will enjoy — tastings and cocktails at the bar and patio in the front of the building.
The full-service bar and tasting room offers several custom handcrafted cocktails, all made with Blackland spirits. The upscale space feels modern and sophisticated — on brand with the Blackland spirits aesthetic. An expansive horseshoe-shaped, stone-topped bar is surrounded by stained wooden bar stools, booths and tables, club chairs, concrete floors, stucco walls, custom chandelier lighting, and original commissioned artworks from visual artist Magdiel Lopez.
An outdoor terrace/lounge is destined to be a new gathering place in The Foundry District, an newly hipster area west of downtown. The neighborhood is also home to nearby tenants Craftwork Coffee Co., Perfect Touch Day Spa, Docs Records and Vintage, Thrive Apothecary CBD store, and Meyer & Sage Culinary Studio.
Early hits on the cocktail menu include the beautiful Hibiscus Fizz, with vodka, hibiscus, mint, acid phosphate, and soda; and the strong Revenge Club Cocktail of gin, wine syrup, and bitter herbs. All cocktails are $12. Neat spirits are $8, and a tasting flight of four is $10.
Light bites from Meyer & Sage, such as hummus and spiced nuts, are available for snacking. A larger grazing board ($25) would fit the bill for bigger groups.
Blackland vodka, gin, bourbon, and rye whisky are also available for sale in 750-ml bottles. Customers can pre-purchase bottles now ($25-$35) and pick them up at a release party in April. Expanded distribution to regional restaurants, bars, and liquor stores will begin this summer, the company says.
Blackland Distillery is open to the public from 5 pm-midnight Wednesday through Sunday, at 2616 Weisenberger St., Fort Worth.
The Revenge Club Cocktail uses Blackland gin distilled on site.
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