International Tequila Day, also known as National Tequila Day, is celebrated globally on 24 July every year. No one knows when it started but everyone has certainly taken to it with enthusiasm as the popularity of agave-based spirits continues to rise. However, unknowingly to many, back in 2018 the Mexican Senate ruled that National Tequila Day would officially take place on the third Saturday of March each year within Mexico. Which really gives us two opportunities to celebrate this amazing spirit.
Unlike the mysterious origins of July’s Tequila celebration, the history of Tequila is well documented, and one thing is for sure, regardless of the date, this month is a good opportunity to explore the ever-evolving world of Mexico’s national spirit.
The Evolution of Super Premium Tequila
Here in Australia, we have seen a shift in the way people drink in recent years, with consumers becoming more educated and typically reaching for more premium products. The agave category, particularly Tequila, is hugely benefiting from this trend – particularly in the bar space – with both the 100% agave and the Silver/Blanco/Plata categories experiencing tremendous growth.
With these trends in mind, we are incredibly fortunate to be launching the Maestro Dobel Tequila range here in Australia. The brand is born from over 250 years’ experience in Tequila creation and is using that knowledge to expand innovation in the category with two world first styles included the range.
Cristalino Tequila
Cristalino is a new ‘type’ of Tequila that is not yet an official category, however with the growth taking place we can expect to see this change relatively soon. Since its development, it has gone on to the be the fastest growing category in both Mexico and the US. In simple terms, Cristalino is a barrel aged Tequila that has been filtered to create a crystal-clear spirit. In 2016 some loose rules for the category were published by the CRT (Consejo Regulador Del Tequila) stating that:
It must be a Reposado Tequila at minimum, it cannot be relabelled Silver Tequila
Brands must show documentation of the decolouring process used
The final product must retain oak flavour elements obtained during the aging process
Maestro Dobel sets itself apart from other Cristalino-style tequilas in its use of single estate agave, multi-aged liquid, and its vintage release structure. Agave is selected from a single estate or ‘rancho’ located in the lowlands, which can be found written on the bottle alongside the year in which the bottle was produced. It is a world first blend of Reposado, Añejo and Extra Añejo Tequilas that have been aged in Eastern European oak before undergoing a proprietary filtration process to remove the colour, while maintaining its complex flavour characteristics. During the filtration process stronger oak notes are also removed, resulting in a slightly sweeter flavour profile of roasted agave, toffee and butter, perfect for introducing your bar’s customers to the world of agave spirits.
Smoked Tequila
Continuing the innovation the brand is known for, Maestro Dobel Humito is the world’s first smoked Tequila. It is a reincarnation of a 17th century taste, that combines traditional Tequila making techniques with the drive to innovate and inspire. Humito is made from 100% blue agave, harvested from the lowlands, and cooked in brick ovens with the addition of mesquite wood smoke. The result is a vegetal Tequila, filled with notes of cooked peppers, olive, dried fruit and a subtle smoky finish. It is an ideal first step into smoked agave spirits for your customers and great to mix in cocktails.
Want to know more about Super Premium Tequila? Contact your Proximo Spirits Representative and we can lock in a masterclass for Dobel and the wider Proximo Spirits premium Tequila Range.