“Duelers is the start of something truly different in the world of spirits. The Agave Spirit category has so much more to offer than people realize that it’s begging for innovation. I love getting to be as creative as I want while uncovering new flavors and aromas for drinkers to experience. It’s an exceptional opportunity.”
Kyle, Head Distiller at Blackhat
Duelers Midnight – Gold Best in Class
Craft Distillers Spirit Competition
Duelers Dark Double Oaked - Silver
Craft Distillers Spirit Competition
Duelers Dark Double Oaked - Silver
San Diego Spirits Festival Competition 2025
Duelers Midnight - Bronze
San Diego Spirits Festival Competition 2025
Duelers Dark - Bronze
San Diego Spirits Festival Competition 2025
Ingredients
Crafted from 100% Blue Weber agave and pure Rocky Mountain water, Duelers begins with a disciplined foundation built on quality. Our agave is sourced from a farmer-owned producer in the Highlands of Jalisco, specializing in agave sugars extracted specifically for premium spirit production.
Distillation & Aging
Duelers was not created to replicate Tequila. It brings together that familiar Blue Weber sugar source with the structure of whiskey-barrel finishing and the bold character of American innovation. Through healthy fermentation, disciplined distillation, and thoughtful aging in French and American oak, our process creates spirits that are layered, expressive, and deeply complex.
Artwork & Bottle Design
Each Duelers bottle features original painted artwork created exclusively for the line by Colorado Springs artist Phil Lear. Known for his expressive realism and cinematic use of light and composition, Lear’s work brings the personalities behind each Duelers expression to life through grit, character, and atmosphere. His paintings reflect the same philosophy behind the spirit itself with bold craftsmanship, layered detail, and a respect for timeless technique viewed through a modern perspective.
Duelers Custom Art by Artist Phil Lear
Phil Lear is a well-known painter based in Colorado Springs, known for his skillful figurative and portrait work, as well as his evocative landscapes. His paintings often have a classical realism influence, with a strong focus on light, shadow, and composition. Lear’s work has been featured in galleries and exhibitions throughout Colorado, and he is recognized for his ability to capture depth and emotion in his subjects.
Phil collaborated with Blackhat to create artwork for their Duelers labels. In a recent interview, Lear discussed how his passion for painting and history converged in this project. The distiller has shared parts of this interview on their Instagram account, providing insights into Lear’s creative process and the inspiration behind the label designs.
Beyond their exceptional products, Blackhat is making waves with its commitment to sustainability, community support, and a game-changing philosophy that sets them apart in the spirits industry.”
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About Agave
What is Agave?
Agave is a plant with hundreds of varieties and takes 8 years to reach maturity. The most common used for making spirits is “Blue Weber”, the varietal used in Tequila production. However, any spirit made with any variety of the agave plant is considered an “Agave Spirit”. To prepare the plant for spirit production, it must first be cooked. The cooking process breaks down the complex carbohydrates, or “fructans”, in the heart of the plant into fermentable sugars. The sweet syrup is then extracted by different methods of crushing or pressing.
Where do we get it?
At Blackhat, we buy this syrup from a farmer-owned factory in the Highlands of Jalisco that specializes in agave production. The syrup we buy is known as an “agave concentrate” and is specially formulated to have the most fermentable sugars possible to maximize spirit output. This is different from the agave syrups used as sweeteners that you find at the store. We don’t grow the agave ourselves, but the sugars we receive are the best you can find for agave spirit production.
What sets us apart?
We’re not out to replicate Tequila by any means. In the U.S., the two most popular spirits are Whiskey and Tequila. We like to try and thread the needle between those two spirits, creating something familiar yet totally unique. Using Blue Weber agave as our sugar source and then aging the finished agave spirit with whiskey in mind, we’ve met this goal and continue to surprise guests with a new spirit that checks all the boxes.
How does mindfulness play a role in your process?
Our similarities to Tequila start and end with the sugar source. When we ferment, we use a yeast strain that creates a subtly flavored spirit that doesn’t have the intense flavors of a traditional Blanco, but a soft sweet-and-spiced palate. Our cuts during distillation are very clean and precise, removing any unwanted bitterness that you’d find in a cheaper product.
Lastly, we age on a combination of French and American oak, often using used whiskey barrels of different varieties to create a flavor combination that blends with the natural agave flavors, while also reminding consumers of a complex Bourbon. Our high-altitude aging and fresh rocky-mountain water are regional advantages that push our products over the edge. Every stage of the process is thought out and lifts our agave spirits up above the rest.
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