Shand Import Debuts Authentic, Unadulterated Blanco Tequila with a Little Help from Lady Luck
Monrovia, CA (May 20, 2025) – Today, Shand Import, LLC announces the launch of a new authentic and unadulterated tequila called Dama Fortuna – Spanish for “Lady Luck.” The company debuts with its first expression – a premium, 80 proof blanco tequila that retails for $45.99 (750ml bottle). Dama Fortuna Blanco Tequila is crafted purely from 100% Blue Weber Agave using traditional production methods. Conceived by seasoned spirits professionals with a combined 100 years of experience, this original tequila – inspired by a dual love of motor racing and Mexican spirits – delivers exceptional quality, flavor, and value with its accessible price point. The company’s motto, “We don’t leave anything to luck,” reflects its commitment to excellence over gimmick while giving a cheeky nod to the founder’s Scottish sense of humor.
The “Shand” in Shand Import refers to Euan Shand, who grew up in the Scotch Whisky world. Euan began his career as a cooper and warehouseman at Glendronach, and later helmed the prestigious independent bottler Duncan Taylor, Ltd. Now turning his focus to tequila, Shand brings decades of industry experience with a commitment to premium production. In 2023, Euan, along with his wife Moji and business partner Peter Currie, traveled to Guadalajara visiting a variety of distilleries and meeting with tequila producers. While they collectively acknowledge and appreciate the storied and successful history of tequila, they noticed an opportunity to impart knowledge about the effects of maturation from the use of quality oak casks. Enter Dama Fortuna Tequila.
“I’m excited by the opportunity to take my passion for oak finishing and barrel programs from the often-tempestuous Scottish climate to sunny Mexico,” says Shand. “We’ve got some incredible casks in our inventory – from ex-sherry and ex-bourbon to Old & Rare Scotch casks. We’ll put these to good use with future Dama Fortuna tequila releases.”
Dama Fortuna Blanco Tequila is crafted at Casa Loy (NOM 1633), located in the hills of Ayotlán in the Los Altos (highlands) region of Jalisco, Mexico. This non-chill filtered spirit is made from fully mature agave cultivated at a single 15,000-acre estate situated between 4,500 and 6,000 feet above sea level. These high-altitude fields, rich in volcanic soil and benefiting from ideal sun exposure and cool nights, yield intensely flavorful agave.
With a further commitment to quality, the agave is cooked in brick ovens and extracted using an expeller screw machine process. It is then fermented without fibers in open-air, stainless-steel tanks for 72 hours before double-distillation in stainless steel, copper coil-lined stills.
Already the recipient of a Gold Medal at the prestigious 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, on the nose Dama Fortuna presents an initial subtle sweetness that gives way to deeper agave notes. Left to breathe, the tequila offers notes of ground black pepper while a hint of citrus shines through. Upon the first sip, the spirit is thick and chewy with a chocolate creaminess that fades into earthy agave notes with hints of wood spice. The finish has a taste of honey sweetness that lingers mid-palate while a hint of saltiness tickles the tip of the tongue. Overall, this is a clean and well-balanced tequila – perfect for cocktail enthusiasts.
As Dama Fortuna expands its range of tequilas with the addition of aged agave spirits, Shand will apply his renowned cooperage knowledge and global barrel access to innovate the oak aging program for Dama Fortuna. Future releases will include non-chill filtered Reposado, Añejo, and Extra Añejo expressions, along with single cask and limited editions.
The idea for Dama Fortuna sprang from Euan’s passion for motor sports. An ardent car enthusiast, Shand frequently travels the world to watch races – with a particular affinity for Le Mans – widely considered one of the most prestigious races in the world. Dama Fortuna was created to bring luck, as Euan pursues his dual passion for launching an exciting, new tequila and racing a car at his favorite motor sports competition in France.
For the speed racer in all of us, try your hand at a “Miss Fortune” – a tequila Vesper variation bartender Erik Lund at Messhall Kitchen in Los Feliz, CA. “The Bond Casino Royale theme also ties into the brand’s house of cards logo, which features hearts, diamonds, spades, and clubs.”
Ingredients:
2 oz. Dama Fortuna Blanco Tequila
1 oz. dry/Xtra Dry Vermouth (Bordiga)
½ oz. Amaro Nonino
Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice, including a pinch of salt and 4 drops of lemon juice. Shake until well chilled, then strain into chilled coupe or Martini glass. Express oils from the lemon twist over the drink, then rub along the rim and place into the cocktail.
Dama Fortuna Blanco Tequila is available for purchase at fine retailers in California and Nevada, and online at www.findgoodspirits.com. To learn more, visit www.damafortuna.com. Follow on Instagram @dama.fortuna
About Shand Import, LLC
Shand Import is a boutique import company with locations in two key U.S. states— California and Nevada—focused on sourcing specialty craft spirits from around the world. Every spirit in our carefully crafted portfolio is vetted for quality, taste and authenticity, painstakingly curated by our team of spirits experts whose experiences in the industry span decades.
We take pride in seeking out the finest spirits the world has to offer and bringing them to the United States. Our portfolio includes a diverse range of spirits such as Irish whiskey, bourbon whiskey, mezcal, gin, vodka, tequila, rum, cognac, and some of the world’s rarest and most sought-after single malts and blended scotch whiskies.
To learn more about Shand Import, LLC, please visit www.shandimportllc.com
