Local vodka distiller launches new tequila brand despite 19,000 stolen bottles

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A Wrightsville Beach-based tequila brand is set to hit the market next week after thousands of bottles were stolen in California. 

The makers of Blue Shark Vodka are unveiling their new tequila brand Hacienda Chactun on January 15, despite losing 19,000 bottles.  

Truckloads of the tequila were on their way from Mexico to North Carolina when they were stolen in Los Angeles. 

The Los Angeles Police Department have since recovered the tequila but said it cannot be sold due to the possibility of tampering. Despite that, owner Mark Bloomquist said he remains optimistic about the tequila’s launch.   

“I think it was john paul jones who said ‘don’t give up the ship,’ and we sure weren’t giving up because of what happened,” Bloomquist said. “What we are saying is we’re here, we’re here for the long haul.” 

Bloomquist noted that because of the growth rate of blue agave, the new tequila brand has been more than “ten years in the making.”