Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/29638
Equally remarkable is Tequila Corrido, which offers a distinguished range of single estate/single barrel Highland tequilas. While the Corrido Reposado and Añejo are museum-grade, the cornerstone of the portfolio is limited production Corrido Extra Añejo. The dark amber tequila is aged to perfection in charred white oak barrels for three years. Its fi nish is remarkably similar to that of a well-aged cognac. All four expressions are top-notch. TEQUILA CORRIDO Don Diego Santa is an overnight tequila sensation generations in the making. The brand’s coming out party was the prestigious Spirits of Mexico competi- tion in 2010, where each of its three expressions earned gold medals. The small-batch Reposado is an elegant, easy-to-drink spirit aged for around eight months, while the Añejo is matured 12 to 18 months in small white oak barrels. FRANK-LIN BEVERAGE The Spirits of Mexico Competition also saw the debut of Abandonado. Made by Tequila Tres Mujeres in Amatitán, the range sports an 18-month-old Añejo and an Extra Añejo aged 40 months in medium- char American oak. The traditionally crafted tequilas are produced in limited quantity and packaged in curvy, attention- grabbing bottles. AGAVE, INC. Two of this year’s franchise players— Regional and Azuñia—hail from Empresa Ejidal Tequilera in Amatitán, which lies across the road from Herradura’s Hacienda San Jose del Refugio. The Regional Blanco is especially brilliant, which earned it Best of Category honors at the 2010 Spirits of Mexico Competition. The Azuñia Platinum Blanco is light and vivacious, while the Añejo is loaded with vanilla and savory wisps of toasted oak. INTERSECT BEVERAGE Ultra-premium Nobleza Azul is crafted in the Los Altos Mountains of Jalisco. Launched in 2010, the Torres family began working on the brand in 2006 after four generations of cultivating estate-grown agaves for other producers. All the expressions in the Nobleza Azul range are sexy, sophis- ticated and brimming with character. NOBLEZA TEQUILA april 201 1 / the tasting panel / 41