Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/960891
april 2018 / the tasting panel / 97 e Culture Club: Clase Azul Distributed in more than ten countries with nearly 250 employees, Clase Azul is the world's first luxury tequila brand. Its beginnings, however, were rooted in humble authenticity. First distributed from the trunk of Founder and Master Distiller Arturo Lomeli's car, Clase Azul debuted with a goal to bring the beauty and history of Mexican culture to the drinker in a way no other tequila had before. Founded in 1997, Clase Azul was at first criticized for its unmistakably tall, hand- painted bottle. Now, it's one of the most recognized tequilas in the world not only because of its incomparable flavor, but for the expert handiwork of the Mazahuan artisans who individually craft each bottle by hand—creating vessels as distinct as the spirit inside them. Despite Clase Azul's rapid growth over the past two decades, Lomeli insists on handmade craftsmanship and small-batch production over mega-factories and cheap glass. The company also operates a charitable arm, Fundación con Causa Azul, which serves as a philanthropic project dedicated to the preservation of Mexican artisan culture and its traditional techniques. Clase Azul further sets itself apart as the perfect pairing to elegant foods. The Reposado is a delectable companion to soft brie cheese and robust charcuterie, while the Añejo is a faultless match to semisweet chocolate in mole or after dinner with coffee and a Connecticut cigar. In addition to its noteworthy tequilas, Clase Azul also produces a mezcal expres- sion. Made from Cenizo Agave grown in the Mexican state of Durango, Mezcal Clase Azul draws its complexity from the region's extreme climate and rich soil. Another member of the brand's portfolio is La Pinta, a blend of Clase Azul Plata tequila and bright, crisp pomegranate. This ultra-premium liqueur, inspired by a traditional pomegranate punch made in Nahuatil, defies categorization while paying homage to its Mexican roots and inherited Spanish tradition. The liqueur perfectly balances tart and sweet and can be enjoyed neat or as the base of any number of cocktails. With plans to produce more special-edition offerings and expand into exclusive appellations, there's no doubt Clase Azul will continue to serve as the preferred tequila for the connoisseur who dares to be different. CLASE AZUL SPIRITS