Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/807384
96 / the tasting panel / april 2017 TEQUILA REPORT TEQUILA REPORT Embracing Tradition with Wansas Tequila Wansas means "to discover unexpectedly," a name embodying its unexpected creation. From the Highlands of Jalisco, the award-winning Chicago-based brand Wansas was created with a mission of creating a quality product that could unite and bring people together. Wansas is an artisanal tequila but uses modern technology along with traditional methods to create a silky smooth and perfectly balanced taste. Its rich notes of sweet cooked agaves, fresh mint and citrus flavors are balanced at the end by a sweet front and a light, fragrant, bitter finish that makes this silver tequila uniquely smooth to the palate and provides the ideal base for the brand's aged tequilas. Wansas Tequila is made using 100% blue Weber agave grown in altitudes above 7,000 feet in Jalisco, Mexico. The volcanic soil the agaves grow in provides minerals that make them sweeter than agaves from other regions. The Wansas Silver expression is double-distilled in copper stills; Wansas Reposado is aged six months in Jack Daniel's charred white oak American barrels; and Wansas Añejo is aged for 18 months. The bottle itself is a nod to tequila's historical roots, with its shape resembling the iconic pyramids of Mexico, paying tribute to the country's rich history. Wansas owner Albert Rojas explains, "The bottle was created using very detailed features to resemble the pyramids and maintain a craft look while also being practical to end users, whether at home, behind the bar or in a restaurant." Wansas's Mixologist Alex Gonzalez explains, "Wansas is a very simple spirit to work with because it allows itself to blend and enhance its rich fla- vors with fresh ingredients. The diversity of Wansas's delicate aroma, notes and flavors are a great way to put a twist on classic drinks like a Manhattan or Mojito." The versatility of Wansas also extends to pairing with food, its complexity making it an excellent match for a variety of dishes. No matter how you use it, Wansas is a great tequila for any taste. Discover your new favorite tequila drink recipes today at www.WansasTequila.com. —Jesse Hom-Dawson Wansas Wansas means From the Highlands was created with people together. Wansas traditional methods of sweet of sweet of cooked sweet front and smooth to the Wansas Tequila above 7,000 minerals that Silver expression months in is aged for The bottle the iconic Wansas detailed also being restaurant." Wansas's spirit vors with and flavors or Mojito." complexity how you Tasting Notes Wansas Silver Tequila has a subtle nose of clay and marshmallow, with toned down agave. The mouthfeel is delicate and understated, with bright agave and white grapefruit. A hint of mocha on the dry finish keeps it mellow. 91 —M. M. Wansas Reposado Tequila leaves a perfumed impression of white flowers, wheat toast and pink grapefruit. Pretty magnolia and cher- rywood flavors are the bright, feminine quality that is offered on the palate. The finish has a stony quality, accented by apricot. 92 —M. M. Wansas Añejo Tequila impresses with its bouquet of summer sun–soaked floral tones and that echo of oak and stone fruit that wafts through. Light-hearted and engaging, the oak notes are a backdrop to a salted caramel apricot, sweet agave and dates. Bittersweet dark chocolate and a salinity focus on the finish. 93 —M. M. wansastequila.com marshmallow, understated, dry white cher- the that a wansastequila.com Wansas with toned with bright finish keeps Wansas flowers, rywood palate. The —M. M. Wansas sun–soaked wafts backdrop Bittersweet 93 Old Fashioned ◗ 2 oz. Wansas Reposado Tequila ◗ 1 oz. Grand Marnier ◗ 1 oz. simple syrup ◗ 3 dashes Angostura Bitters