Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/118688
123 Organic Tequila Unsurpassed quality never tasted so good. Artisanal 123 Organic Tequila (pronounced "Uno Dos Tres") is handcrafted in Amatitán from USDA and EU Certified Organic agave. After harvesting, they are baked in traditional stone ovens and slowly fermented before being doubledistilled in copper pot stills. The 123 Organic Reposado (Dos) is aged for six months in American white oak barrels, while the 123 Organic Añejo (Tres) is allowed to remain in wood for up to 18 months. The 123 Organic Blanco ("Uno") is bottled fresh from the still, unadulterated by the effects of barrel aging. "123 Organic Tequila was inspired by and is produced with the wine drinker in mind," says founder and brand owner David Ravandi. "Authenticity plays an important role in our brand and in the way our products taste. There's a lot of passion and years of experience that go into making our tequila. It's our belief that you can't go wrong when you start with the utmost in quality." www.123tequila.com 123 Organic Tequila Tequila Don Weber T equila Don Weber is named in honor of Franz Weber, the European naturalist who, in 1896, first classified the stately blue agave—agave tequiliana Weber—now identified as the only variety from which 100% agave tequila is made. Launched in 2010, this new range of tequilas is a fitting homage to Señor Don Weber. The brand is distilled at the Feliciano Vivanco "El Ranchito" in Jalisco from Highland agaves that are slowly baked in brick ovens, shredded and fermented. The fermented wash is double-distilled in copper pot stills, after which it is rendered to 80 proof with de-ionized water. The distillery holds the official designation of NOM 1414, well known to be one of the best distillers in Mexico. "The success of Don Weber is due to a product made from rigorous standards imposed on the harvesting, distilling and aging process, which results in the high quality of the tequila" says importer and distributor Pam Smith. Tequila Don Weber Blanco is twice-filtered prior to bottling. The Blanco was judged "Best of the Best" by tequila.net for 2012 in a blind taste test of 248 tequilas. Don Weber Reposado is matured for eight months in charred American white oak barrels. The pale gold tequila has a savory herbaceous character with notes of baking spice and toasted oak. The Reposado was also judged "Best of the Best" 2012 by tequila.net in the same taste test. The deep golden Don Weber Añejo is aged 18 months and has a satiny body and an engaging bouquet of vanilla, butterscotch and toffee. It was awarded "Judge Favorite" by tequila.net The capstone of the portfolio—the brooding, dark Don Weber Extra Añejo—is aged a minimum of three years. Truly amazing! Salud! www.tequiladonweberusa.com Tequila Don Weber april 2013 / the tasting panel / 151