Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/19027
TEQUILA PATRÓN “T he best piñas are not always the oldest,” says Grant Berentsen of Patrón Spirits, who wowed the panel with Gran Patrón Burdeos, an extra añejo tequila. Smaller six-to seven year-old piñas yield more sugar content as well.” Baked in brick ovens (versus autoclaves) for 79 hours and then steamed for four-to-five hours, on and off, to create even surfaces, the piñas are cut into about five pieces and fermented in pine fermenta- tion tanks. Spanish for Bordeaux, Burdeos is aged first in American oak, then redistilled and aged in French Bordeaux barrels. Labor-intensive (60 hands touch each bottle), Gran Patrón Burdeos sells for a suggested retail price of $500, although we were informed that in Las Vegas bottles can sell for up to $4,000 at some nightclubs. Gary Eisenberger of Karma tequila with Gary Charmel of Johnson Bros. Distributors/Nevada. Gary Eisenberger. “We think positively, give to charity and deliver a great product.” KARMA “K While sending dollars from the brand’s profits to worthy causes is good karma in itself, this newbie on the scene has also been impressing some of the top palates on- and off-premise. A blend of double- and triple-distilled spirits, Karma has zero additives and is aerated before bottling to smooth out its taste profile. Karma, in its slim vodka-esque bottle, is currently available only in a silver expression. Our Panel Votes: “Sweet, smooth, clean and weighty.” (MM) “Sweet and palate-friendly; nutty, honey/agave syrup notes with a dark chocolate finish.” (LL) “Very mixable; could be a sipping tequila at a blanco level—very rare!” (KB) “Exceptional for the price [$34.99].” (KV) WC Spirits LLC Gran Patrón Burdeos has a laser-etched label on its lead-free crystal bottle. november 2010 / the tasting panel / 89 Our Panel Votes: “Deep coffee aromas lead to dark chocolate and sweet tobacco on the palate.” (MM) “Cherry and honey on the nose with cedar and mahogany (heavy-char barrel aromat- ics) coming through on the palate; I get a fully cooked agave flavor, smooth aguamiel mouthfeel and a nice honey-spice finish.” (NR) “What an amazing nose! The wine element comes through, yet it maintains its añejo profile. Super silky and seriously sexy texture.” (LL) arma tequila’s grass roots marketing campaign centers around giving back,” says co-founder