Beverage Dynamics

Beverage Dynamics May/June 2015

Beverage Dynamics is the largest national business magazine devoted exclusively to the needs of off-premise beverage alcohol retailers, from single liquor stores to big box chains, through coverage of the latest trends in wine, beer and spirits.

Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/551867

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 40 of 59

Tequila www.beveragedynamics.com May/June 2015 • Beverage Dynamics 41 vibrant, complex and thoroughly deli- cious, a glimpse into what tequila ought to taste like. "Being among the fi rst distill-proof tequilas to market gives El Luchador a distinct advantage," states tequilero and Brand Owner David Ravandi. "Branding also plays an important role in distinguishing El Luchador as a truly artisanal product; one that isn't just another brand extension, but a product with a truly unique identity and appeal." REGIONAL FAVORITES Lunazul Primero Añejo is aged for a minimum of 18 months in charred, American oak barrels. Here's the twist: After the tequila has reached optimum maturity, its color is gently fi ltered out. The result is a tequila with pristine clarity and a curvaceous body. "From a mixology point of view, Primero has everything you could want in an añejo — great taste and a beckoning bouquet — only no heavy color," observes Reid Hafer, senior brand manager. Among the most critically acclaimed brands to reach our shores is Crótalo 100% Agave Tequila. The ultra-premium range is handcrafted at Tequila Emba- jador in Atotonilco from organic agaves cultivated in the red volcanic soil of the Highlands. The aged marques grab most of the headlines. Crótalo markets several different extra añejos. The Extra Añejo Reserva is fi rst aged for three years in French Limousin oak barrels and then two more years in proprietary oak barrels, the insides of which have been charred. The brand's 7-year Extra Añejo Gran Reserva is aged an additional four years in the proprietary oak. Finally, Crótalo Tres Marcos 3•5•7 is a blend of the 3-year French oak Extra Añejo, the 5-year Extra Añejo Reserva, and the 7-year Extra Añejo Gran Reserva. According to Brand Owner Mark Carlston, he needed special permission from the CRT to create the extra añejos. "I believe the double-barrel aging process imbue Crótalo Extra Añejos with fl avors and characteristics that are unmatched." Outfi tted in beautiful, hand-painted ceramic bottles, Calavera Tequila 100% de Agave celebrates one of Mexico's most revered holidays, Dia de los Muer- tos. The tequila is made by both artisanal techniques and state of the art techniques. For example, the agaves are cooked in brick ovens and stainless autoclaves, and then slowly fermented using naturally occurring yeasts. These limited-release tequilas are double distilled in extremely small batches at Destiladora del Valle de Tequila. Both the blanco and the 4-6 month reposado are made from 100% LEADING BRANDS OF TEQUILA (Thousands of 9-Liter Cases) Brand Supplier 2013 2014p % Chg Jose Cuervo Proximo Spirits 3,030 3,082 1.7% Patron The Patron Spirits Company 2,075 2,150 3.6% Sauza Beam Inc. 2,041 2,089 2.4% 1800 Proximo Spirits 1,032 1,041 0.9% Juarez Luxco 820 900 9.8% Familia Camarena E & J Gallo 571 725 27.0% Montezuma Tequila Sazerac 555 585 5.4% El Jimador Brown-Forman Beverages 336 379 12.8% House of Cazadores Bacardi USA 250 260 4.2% Don Julio Diageo 270 327 21.1% Total Leading Brands 10,979 11,538 5.1% Others 2,641 2,787 5.5% Total Tequila 13,620 14,325 5.2% (p) Preliminary. Source: Handbook Advance 2015.

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Beverage Dynamics - Beverage Dynamics May/June 2015