NMSU unveils its own official whiskey

New Mexico State University on Wednesday unveiled its own officially licensed whiskey, making it the first to do so as schools across the U.S. scramble for more revenue amid shrinking budgets.

Pistol Pete’s Six-Shooter whiskey builds on the university’s brandbuilding effort, which started just a couple of years ago with a golden ale crafted by one of the state’s largest brewing operations.

Last month, the school added a signature wine developed by vintners with deep roots in the state.

Like the other ventures, this one involves a partnership with another homegrown business — Dry Point Distillers.

New Mexico State Athletic Director Mario Moccia said licensed whiskey marks something new for the collegiate world. He described it as a win-win for the university, for small businesses during a rough economic time and for the athletic program, which shares in the proceeds from every sale.

“For us to be the first, I think it’s a source of pride, it’s a source of innovation and I have no doubt other schools will say this is a good thing because, in today’s day and age when the budgets are being reduced, it’s incumbent upon us to do things to generate our own revenue,” he told the Associated Press.