StateWays is the only magazine exclusively covering the control state system within the beverage alcohol industry, with annual updates from liquor control commissions and alcohol control boards and yearly fiscal reporting from control jurisdictions
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what you need to know about a brand can be found on the bottle. All 100% agave tequila must state that fact on their label. If it doesn't, then the tequila is a blend, or mixto, which is allowed to contain up to 49% cane sugar, or caña. Upselling Superpremium Tequila Perhaps the best way to assess a tequila's attributes is to sample the silver or ith so many brands of tequila plata version. Ultra-premium silver on the market, many contequilas are typically unfiltered and unafsumers are genuinely confected from aging in wood. They are fused about the differences between vibrant, brimming with peppery flavors them. For example, if 100% agave tequiand best represent the compelling qualilas are made from nothing but agave, ties of tequila. then how can there be such a disparity A reposado tequila is aged in oak between quality, taste and selling price? between two months and one year. It The explanation is similar to Patron's latest addition strikes a true balance between the fresh, describing the quality variables in wine. to its line of tequilas is But like the subject of wine, the answer the high-end Gran Patron spirited character of a silver tequila and the mellow refinement of an añejo. lies in the quality of the raw product. Piedra, an extra anejo tequila, which uses the Añejo tequilas must be aged in oak for The essential difference between brands traditional Tahona promore than a year. Aging in wood leaves of tequila is principally the difference is duction process. some añejo tequilas smooth and luxurithe character and quality of the agaves used ous, with a subtle amber hue. In others the character of to make the tequila. Other the wood is dominant, with prominent tannin, a broad quality factors include how vanilla flavor and a deep golden color. From a sales perspective it is important to ask the the agaves are baked and the length of fermentation. client about how much wood character they like in Methods of distillation and tequila. Another is to inquire whether the tequila will be depth of aging finish off the sipped neat or used primarily for mixing. The answers equation. Within each of will dictate whether your recommend a silver, reposado these points there exists or añejo tequila. While some may suggest that silver another subset of variables. tequilas are most appropriate for use in mixed drinks and Suffice to say, crafting great that añejos are best suited for sipping, that advise hardly tequila is a precise science and holds true these days. an art requiring just about a lifetime to master. And there Selling Superpremium Liqueurs are lots of exceln a category that offers Sauza offers two lent, superpremiperhaps the widest range versions of organic um-priced tequilas of flavors and ingreditequilas, made from in the U.S. marents in the spirits industry, can be hand-picked blue ket, with more low proof as well as high proof, agave plants. entering the marand which can be consumed just ket regularly. One of the newest is about every which way, cordials Herradura's Colección de la Casa Reserva and liqueurs derive from an inter2013, a Cognac Cask Finish Reposado which esting history. Dating back more starts with an 11 month rest in medium-char than 400 years, at first the process American Oak barrels and is then transferred was no more complicated than to French oak casks from the Cognac region steeping spirits in a mash of fruit. for three additional months of aging (sugHoney was often used as a sweetgested retail about $90). ener to negate the biting edge of The superpremium-priced Production of tequila is closely scruti- Tequila Cazadores has seen the alcohol. Gradually as the art nized by the government to ensure quality healthy sales gains over the of distillation became more prestandards are maintained. As a result, much of past few years. cise, so did the methods used to and last year the company also launched the high-end Caliche. Pyrat XO Reserve Rum, from Patron Spirits, is another in the extensive lineup of superpremium rum offerings. W I 26 StateWays I www.stateways.com I November/December 2013