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Luna Nueva Tequila Hacienda del Sol Tequila Luna Nueva Tequila is crafted at a family-owned distillery in Jalisco. The agaves used in distillation come from both the Lowlands and Highlands. After harvesting, they are slowly baked in stone ovens and fermented in small batches before being doubledistilled in stainless steel stills. Award-winning Luna Nueva Añejo Tequila is aged for 18 months in new American and French oak barrels. It has a dark amber hue, a velvety smooth body and a wafting bouquet of cinnamon, spices, vanilla and fresh citrus. Thankfully the finish lingers on the palate for an agreeably long time. The Luna Nueva Reposado is aged for a minimum of six months in new American and French oak barrels. The limited edition tequila has a satiny body and an alluring palate of oranges, toasted oak, chocolate and cloves. Luna Nueva Silver is a lively, light-bodied spirit redolent with the aromas of tropical fruit, lemon grass and fresh herbs. The long, satiny finish has a hint of clove, chocolate and white pepper. www.lunanuevatequila.com LCG International, LLC, Medina, Ohio The classically structured, 100% agave tequilas of Hacienda del Sol are made by the famed Orendain family at their distillery in Amatitán. Its inherent quality begins with mature, certified organic agaves grown under the strict guidelines established by the USDA. The harvested agaves are split and baked in traditional clay ovens to preserve more of the agave's full richness. Once cooled, they are shredded and fermented in stainless vats using the distillery's proprietary strain of yeast. The fermented wash is double-distilled in small batches in pot stills. All of the brand's expressions are bottled at 80 proof. Hacienda Del Sol Silver is an exuberant spirit with crystalline clarity, a lightweight body and a floral and fruit laced bouquet. It has a clean, gentle entry and a spicy, long-lasting palate. The Hacienda del Sol Reposado is rested up to nine months in American white oak barrels. Hacienda del Sol—splendid juice and a splendid price. www.agavebluspirits.com AgaveBlu Spirits Gran Patrón Burdeos Añejo Tequila Gran Patrón Burdeos Añejo Tequila ranks among the nobility of the category. It's hard to imagine a more intriguing añejo than the one Patrón's Master Distiller, Francisco Alcaraz, has created. Be fully prepared to be impressed. Gran Patrón Burdeos is first matured in a blend of American and French oak barrels and aged for a minimum of 12 months. It is then distilled again before it is racked in vintage Bordeaux barrels, hand-selected from the great châteaux of France. (Burdeos is Spanish for Bordeaux.) Over time, the tequila develops a dark honey/amber hue and a bouquet of lightly spiced, floral and fruity aromas. It has a velvety, surprisingly light body and a captivating palate of vanilla, raisins and dried fruit with wine-induced notes. "Gran Patrón Burdeos is undisputedly unlike any other tequila," says Patrón Spirits Director of Corporate Communications Greg Cohen. "Our Master Distiller spent years exploring different barrels to age this exceptional spirit, before finally settling on French Bordeaux wine barrels. This is luxury tequila at its very finest." www.patrontequila.com Patrón Spirits International april 2013 / the tasting panel / 153