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CATEGORY REPORT Finding a marvelous new brand of tequila is like discovering a stash of cash in your sock drawer. It's unexpected and invariably comes at exactly the right time. Such will be your reaction when opening a bottle of Mañana Reposado Tequila for the first time. The brand is produced in the Highlands of Arandas, where estate-grown agaves are baked in brick ovens for two days, after which they are shredded and their extracted juice is fermented using a wine yeast from the Champagne region of France. Another point of distinction is that the agaves are fermented according to the "Mozart method," in which Baroque music is played over loudspeakers during the process. The soothing strains of the classical music are thought to have a positive effect on the yeast used in fermentation. Mañana Reposado is aged nine months in American white oak barrels. It's an herbaceous tequila with a generous allot- ment of flavors including vanilla, cinnamon, bananas, zesty citrus and toasted oak. Among the brand's repertoire of tequila-centric cocktails is the Hi-Thyme, an iced drink made with Mañana Reposado and a thyme-and-hibiscus reduction created by Brand Representative Mark Gianni. "The tequila has a brilliant herbaceous flavor, which pairs well with the thyme and fresh raspberries. I think the Mañana Reposado is the perfect expres- sion for a mixed drink like this because its complex flavors take the lead while the supporting elements of fresh thyme and hibiscus fold in behind, creating perfect harmony." TOSCANO AND SON IMPORTS LLC 94 / the tasting panel / september 2014 Hi–Thyme Mark Gianni, Brand Representative for Mañana Tequila ◗ 2 oz. Mañana Tequila Reposado ◗ 2 oz. hi-thyme reduction ◗ 5-6 fresh raspberries ◗ 5 sprigs of thyme ◗ 2 lime wedges ◗ ¼ oz. agave syrup ◗ 3 tbs. freshly chopped ginger ◗ Ginger ale ◗ Combine in an empty mixing glass the lime wedges, agave syrup and three fresh raspberries. Muddle ingredients and add ice. Add the Mañana Tequila and hi-thyme reduction. Stir ingredients and strain into an iced Old Fashioned glass. Top with ginger ale. Garnish with raspberries and a sprig of thyme. ◗ To make the hi-thyme reduction, put two cups of water into a saucepan and add three tablespoons fresh chopped ginger, one cup of dried hibiscus flowers and four sprigs of fresh thyme. Bring mixture to a boil and then reduce to a simmer for approximately 20 minutes while stirring occasionally. When cooled, strain reduction into a container and keep refrigerated. MAÑANA REPOSADO TEQUILA GRAND LEYENDA ORGANIC REPOSADO Not all blue agaves are created equal. Those used to make Grand Leyenda Tequilas are estate-grown in the Lowlands of Jalisco and USDA-certified organic, meaning they were cultivated without the use of pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. It's hard to imagine a better way to make tequila than to start with essentially pure agaves. Grand Leyenda Reposado is aged for 11 months in French Limousin barrels. A character-laden tequila like this is just the ticket when it comes to drink-making. "For instance, our Café Leyenda is a rich, aromatic and tequila-forward cocktail that focuses on the layered flavors prominent in the reposado," says Cory Alberto, Bar Manager at Table No. 10 in San Diego. "These flavors are not meant to mask, but to complement the already superb taste and aroma in this delicate, rich and complex tequila." MHW TLD. CafE Leyenda Cory Alberto, Beverage Director and Bar Manager, Table No. 10, San Diego, CA ◗ 1½ oz. Grand Leyenda Reposado ◗ ½ oz. Borghetti Espresso Liqueur ◗ ¼ oz. Licor 43 Cuarenta y Tres ◗ 3 dashes chocolate bitters ◗ 1 barspoon coffee concentrate ◗ Shaved and torched cinnamon ◗ Combine Grand Leyenda Tequila, Borghetti Espresso Liqueur, Licor 43, chocolate bitters and coffee concentrate in an iced mixing glass. Shake contents vigorously and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with shaved and torched cinnamon.