Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/118688
Tequila Clase Azul T alk about an appropriately named product. Tequila Clase Azul is a lush, sophisticated spirit possessing all of the delectable qualities that's made tequila the darling of American consumers. The range is made in Jesús Maria-Ayottián in Arandas, Jalisco. It's handcrafted using certified organic agaves that are baked in stone ovens for three days before being slowly fermented with a proprietary strain of yeast. The tequila is double-distilled in small batches and reduced to 80 proof with purified water. The brand's hand-painted, Talaverastyle decanters were introduced by Spanish artisans during Mexico's colonial period. "We stay focused on producing a world-class tequila with an unmatched taste profile that is never compromised," says founder and Master Distiller Arturo Lomeli. "Our love is poured into hand-making each stunning bottle that inevitably appeals to those who have the desire to surround themselves with beauty. If you look behind the scenes of the Clase Azul production process—both the tequila and bottle—you will find a company improving every day based on our core values of staying humble and sharing happiness." Clase Azul Reposado is aged for a minimum of eight months in three types of oak barrels and casks. Each contributes to the finished tequila's character. The reposado has a burnished copper appearance, a lightweight body and a bouquet brimming with the aromas of vanilla, baking spices and roasted peppers with light smoky notes. It has a soft, gentle entry and a dry, warming palate of caramel and toasted oak that gradually fades into a mildly spicy, slightly smoky finish Introduced in 2007, Clase Azul Ultra is an extra añejo aged a minimum of five years in heavily charred sherry oak casks. The ultra-premium tequila is produced in limited quantity of no more than 100 bottles per production run. Ranked among the category's elite, the tequila has a bouquet of fruit, cocoa and citrus aromas and a lingering, spicy, fruity finish. Clase Azul Plata is an elegant spirit from start to extended finish. The tequila is generously endowed with enticing floral and herbal aromas, a complex savory palate and a floral and spice finish. It makes an idea choice to sip neat or over a few cubes of ice. The Tequila Clase Azul portfolio is luxurious and best defines what it means to treat yourself well . . . really well. www.claseazul.com Tequilas Premium april 2013 / the tasting panel / 145