In Custer County, dreams aren’t merely imagined—they are distilled, bottled, and shared.
Lawrence Paulsen, a Callaway resident, has found himself embarking on frequent journeys to Mexico, all in pursuit of a bold new venture: Blue Star Tequila. Embracing the road less traveled, Blue Star Tequila has earned the distinction of being the world’s first unfiltered, additive-free tequila, crafted exclusively from night-harvested Blue Agave grown in the highlands of Jalisco. Yet, its headquarters reside not in a distant land but within the welcoming walls of Callaway Market in Custer County—Lawrence’s other business endeavor.
This story finds its roots with Tom Carr, a seasoned businessman from Kimball, Nebraska. After dedicating more than four decades to the spirits industry—culminating in his tenure as CEO of Religion Tequila—Tom was ready to pursue his own aspirations. He had developed a unique recipe for a premium tequila, tailored more for refined cocktails than traditional margaritas. Poised for risk and ready to create something extraordinary, Tom set the stage for Blue Star’s inception.
In the winter of 2024, as Lawrence prepared for a Christmas party, fate and friendship intervened. Tom, traveling along I-80, brought with him samples of his handcrafted tequila. Lawrence instantly saw promise in Tom’s creation, and by March 2025, the two joined forces as partners in Blue Star Tequila.
Their partnership soon saw them traveling to Mexico, perfecting four distinct blends for the market:
- Blanco—Pure tequila made from 100% Blue Agave
- Reposado—Aged for six months in new American oak barrels
- Añejo—Aged for twelve months in used American oak bourbon barrels
- Reposado Honey—Reposado aged six months in new American oak barrels, delicately infused with natural honey flavor
What sets Blue Star apart from the rest? Three defining features: the exclusive use of night-harvested Blue Agave, which preserves optimal sugar content and enhances flavor; an unwavering commitment to all-natural, additive-free production (no sugar, coloring, or artificial ingredients); and complete lack of filtration. This trifecta makes Blue Star Tequila truly one of a kind. As Lawrence puts it, “We often hear people say they believe it’s the best tequila on the market.”
The numbers tell a compelling story. The initial goal for 2025 was to produce four runs of 3,000 cases, totaling 12,000 cases. Yet, within just seven months, Blue Star had already sold 10,000 cases, increasing production runs from 3,000 to 4,000, and now up to 8,000 cases each run. Their reach now extends to 22 states, with efforts underway to expand across the western United States and into international markets. What began with a single employee in February has grown into a team of 16 sales staff scattered across the nation.
As a company 100% owned by Nebraskans, Tom oversees sales from his Kimball office, while Lawrence manages the many other facets from Callaway. Lawrence will be moving soon into a dedicated Blue Star office space next door to the Callaway Market.
Today, Blue Star Tequila is available at Callaway Market, Grazers Bar & Grill in Arnold, and other select Nebraska locations—with broader statewide availability coming soon. Follow Blue Star Tequila or visit their website https://www.bluestartequila.com/.