Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/118688
CATEGORY REPORT Luna Malvada Tequila Luna Malvada Tequila is not made from agave grown in the Highlands or the Lowlands of Jalisco. Instead, the estate-grown agaves used to make Luna Malvada are cultivated in an area near the Colima Foothills of southern Jalisco, a bio-diverse region with rich volcanic soil and dry tropical forests considered to be the best natural growing region for agave. Their agaves are harvested during the full moon cycle—the evil moon, or luna malvada, as it's called locally— when the plants' sugar content is at its peak. Luna Malvada tequilas are handcrafted at a small distillery in the south of Jalisco. The small batch Luna Malvada Plata Tequila is bottled fresh from the still at 80 proof. The tequila has a shimmery, crystal clear appearance, a medium-weight, oily textured body and an herbaceous bouquet. Its palate is a complex affair of ripe pineapple, agave and lilac with undertones of ashes and dry clay. Luna Malvada Reposado is matured for a minimum of eight months in American oak barrels used previously to age red wine. It has a tantalizing bouquet and a palate of vanilla, zesty orange, spice and dried herbs. The medium length finish features the added flavors of caramel and hazelnut with light smoky notes. We're all going to have to be patient for Luna Malvada Añejo Tequila. When released in mid2013, the finished tequila will have been aged 16 months in French oak red wine barrels. Advance tastings suggest it will be well worth the wait. www.lunamalvada.com Evil Moon Spirits 144 / the tasting panel / april 2013 Equally captivating is Tequila Cava de Oro, a family-owned brand crafted in Guadalajara. Cava de Oro Extra Añejo is aged for a minimum of three years in charred, American white oak barrels. During that time it develops a dark amber hue and the bakery-fresh aromas of cinnamon, caramel, vanilla and nutmeg. Its gentle entry quickly expands revealing a luscious array of flavors, all of which persist on the palate for an agreeably long time. Cava de Oro Imports Montalvo Tequila is a traditional gem made in the Lowlands of Jalisco. Montalvo Plata's silky lightweight body, wafting aromatics and focused flavors can be attributed to its being triple-distilled in pot stills, one of only a small handful of tequilas that are. Montalvo Reposado and Añejo are barrel-aged in white American oak for four months and 14 months, respectively. The aged expressions are brimming with spice and oak-induced flavors. Casa Montalvo Also among the stellar newcomers is super-premium Dos Armadillos Tequila. Made from mature agaves grown in Amatitán, the distillery utilizes stainless steel equipment throughout the process. The brand's aged expressions are matured in medium charred, virgin oak barrels made in Missouri. Dos Armadillos Reposado is aged six months and the Añejo 18 months; each is spicy, herbaceous and generously aromatic. Dos Armadillos Extra Añejo, aged 54 months, is presented in an award-winning natural clay bottle. Dos Armadillos Tequila