Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/661678
april 2016 / the tasting panel / 1 13 If you're searching for a character-laden tequila brimming with kinetic energy, you need look no further than flavored newcomer Soltado Spicy Añejo Tequila. Its eye-opening heat and fresh pepper flavors make Soltado a backbar necessity. Crafted at Destiladora Juanacatlán (NOM 1551), Soltado is an añejo tequila barrel-aged for a minimum of 28 months. After the añejo tequila comes off the wood, it is infused with local organic Serrano peppers and Mexican canela, a spicy warm cinnamon. The first and only tequila to be produced using a base of high quality añejo tequila macerated with all natural ingredients, Soltado is an ultra-premium craft spirit created for the adventurous in heart and palate. "The distillery we work with is also truly unique," asserts brand owner David Weissman. "It is a co-op owned by 80 agave farmers in the Juanacatlán region of Guadalajara. Our distillery sources its agave from those same farms, choosing only the best that each harvest has to offer. The extreme weather in Juanacatlán increases the Brix levels in the agave, creating a naturally sweet flavor, while meeting consumer demand for high quality, no sugar added products. What's stated on the bottle is exactly what you'll get in Soltado, and we intend to keep it that way." Guaranteed you won't soon forget your first sip of this surgically balanced spirit. However, be apprised, Soltado is muy caliente. The nearly combustible combination of barrel-aged tequila, Serrano peppers and cinnamon is evident in every aspect of this fiery gem. On the palate, the heat of the roasted Serranos is front and center, followed closely by a blast of spicy cinnamon. The herbaceous flavor of the tequila is easy to recognize on the long, lingering finish. By the way, there's perhaps no better rite of passage than downing a shot of Soltado. Likewise, it has so much personality that even sipping it over a few cubes of ice is a satisfying way to spend an evening. Appealing as a spicy twist on a Margarita or tall drink, such as the Bloody Maria or the Michelada, Soltado's incandescent qualities also make it an ideal brand to showcase in contemporary mixology. Its uniquely spicy flavor profile and barrel-aging make it the perfect comple- ment to whiskey, Scotch or bourbon in craft cocktails, as well as a solid performer in tropical and dessert-focused drinks. Says Weissman, "Soltado is quite literally the hottest tequila on the market. We use the entire chile in production—from the fleshy exterior to the seeds and veins, macerating the tequila for up to a week. It's a truly unique and marvelous product." SOLTADO Hot, Hot, Heat SOLTADO SPICY AÑEJO TEQUILA