TC CRAFT Tequila’s Post

🥃 Celebrating Excellence in Tequila: The Tequila & Mezcal Masters 2024 Highlights 🎉 Tequila aficionados, the results of The Tequila & Mezcal Masters 2024 are in, and it's an exciting time for all of us who appreciate the art and craftsmanship behind this beloved spirit. Despite economic pressures, the Tequila market continues to showcase remarkable expressions that captivate both connoisseurs and new fans alike. 🌟 The Unstoppable Growth of Tequila Tequila's journey has been nothing short of spectacular. Once on track to outshine other spirits in the US market, it has proven its resilience and quality, even as growth moderates. The premium-plus segment has seen a slight slowdown, yet the overall category demonstrates significant improvements across all price points, making every sip a testament to the industry's dedication to excellence. 🏆 Standout Performances at The Tequila & Mezcal Masters 2024 This year's blind tasting in London brought to light the exceptional quality of 100% Agave Tequilas across various categories. From the vibrant and characterful Emyla Tequila Añejo to the rich and complex Don Julio Alma Miel, the awards highlighted a diverse range of profiles that cater to every palate. 🔥 Gold and Master Medalists Steal the Show The competition was fierce, with many brands receiving Gold and even Master accolades for their outstanding offerings. Among the noteworthy mentions, Mayenda Tequila Blanco and Volcan De Mi Tierra XA shone brightly in their respective categories, showcasing the incredible depth and versatility of Tequila. 🌍 A Bright Future Ahead As the Tequila and Mezcal categories continue to evolve, the commitment to quality and innovation remains unwavering. This year's Masters have once again proven that whether you prefer your Tequila blanco, reposado, añejo, or blend, there are exceptional examples to be discovered and savored. Let's raise a glass to the remarkable artisans behind these spirits and look forward to the continued growth and success of the Tequila industry. Here's to discovering your next favorite Tequila! 🥂 #TequilaMasters2024 #Tequila #AgaveSpirits #SpiritsIndustry #PremiumTequila #Craftsmanship #TequilaLovers #mexicanculture

You've likely heard of tequila varieties like reposado, blanco, and añejo, but what exactly is cristalino? Cristalino tequila represents a new category in the world of tequila, blending the characteristics of aged tequila with the clarity of unaged blanco tequila. Unlike traditional añejo tequila, which undergoes prolonged aging in oak barrels, cristalino tequila undergoes a unique filtration process after aging to remove its natural color while retaining its complex flavors. This filtration process typically involves charcoal or other materials that strip away the color and any harsh elements, resulting in a crystal-clear appearance reminiscent of blanco tequila. However, unlike blanco tequila, cristalino retains the smoothness and depth of flavor acquired during aging, making it a unique and versatile option for tequila enthusiasts. It's a perfect choice for those seeking a refined sipping experience or looking to experiment with new and innovative tequila offerings. With its clear appearance and complex flavor profile, cristalino tequila adds a modern twist to the traditional world of tequila, inviting enthusiasts to explore and indulge in its unique charms. Experience the uniqueness of Cristalino with our super premium cristalino sipping tequila, Tequila 52. #tequila52 #tequila #cristalino #sippingtequila #premiumsippingtequila #spirits

🌵 The Rise of Tequila: A New Challenger in the World of Aged Spirits 🥃 In the world of fine spirits, a remarkable transformation is unfolding. Tequila, traditionally celebrated for its bold and vibrant flavors, is now stepping confidently into the arena of aged spirits, challenging the long-established dominance of whiskies, brandies, and rums. This evolution is not just interesting—it's revolutionary. Historically, tequila has been synonymous with lively celebrations and swift shots, often overshadowed by the depth and complexity of its aged counterparts. However, the narrative is changing. Artisanal distilleries and visionary producers are unveiling tequilas that undergo meticulous aging processes, rivaling the sophistication and elegance traditionally reserved for the world's finest whiskies and cognacs. A prime example of this seismic shift is VIVIR Tequila Reposado. Crafted with passion and precision, it spends six months in American oak Bourbon casks, emerging as a masterpiece that eloquently speaks to tequila's newfound prestige. The result is a tequila that balances the earthy essence of the agave plant with the nuanced flavors of vanilla, caramel, and a hint of black pepper, culminating in a smooth, honeyed finish. This reposado is not just a spirit; it's a testament to tequila's evolution and its capacity to offer a complex, rewarding sipping experience that invites comparison with the finest aged spirits. As tequila continues to ascend in the world of premium spirits, it invites aficionados and newcomers alike to explore its depth and diversity. The rise of tequila as a contender among aged spirits is a compelling narrative of innovation, craftsmanship, and the breaking of traditional boundaries. It's a call to revisit perceptions and discover the rich, nuanced world that tequila has to offer. The era of aged tequila is upon us. It's time to embrace this spirited challenger and explore the captivating journey from agave fields to aged excellence. Join the conversation and share your thoughts on this remarkable evolution. #TequilaRevolution #AgedSpirits #Tequila #Craftsmanship #InnovationInSpirits #mexicanculture

🍹✨ Rediscovering Tequila and Mezcal: Unlocking Their True Essence ✨🍹 In recent years, the spirits landscape has undergone a remarkable transformation, with tequila and mezcal reclaiming the spotlight. No longer confined to shots and margaritas, these Mexican treasures are celebrated for their complexity, heritage, and artisanal craftsmanship. But what's fuelling this resurgence? Let's dive into the driving forces behind the trend. 1. Craftsmanship & Authenticity Today's consumers crave authenticity and uniqueness, seeking out handcrafted spirits with a story to tell. Tequila and mezcal, steeped in tradition and crafted with care, perfectly satisfy this desire for genuine experiences. 2. Terroir & Quality Just like fine wines, tequila and mezcal reflect their origins through distinctive flavour profiles shaped by terroir. As consumers become more discerning, they seek out spirits that capture the essence of their birthplace, embracing the diversity of Mexico's agave-growing regions. 3. Mixology Magic The resurgence of cocktail culture has propelled tequila and mezcal into the spotlight, inspiring mixologists to push the boundaries of creativity. From classic cocktails with a twist to innovative concoctions, these spirits offer endless possibilities for adventurous drinkers. 4. Sustainability & Social Responsibility Ethical sourcing and sustainability are no longer optional—they're essential values driving consumer choices. Tequila and mezcal producers are leading the way with eco-friendly practices, resonating with conscientious consumers who prioritise ethical consumption. 5. Cultural Connection Beyond their exquisite taste, tequila and mezcal embody the soul of Mexican culture, inviting enthusiasts to immerse themselves in its rich heritage. Whether sipped neat or savoured in a cocktail, these spirits evoke a sense of tradition and celebration. As part of our ever-expanding global footprint, PalTank maintains a stock of 26,000 litre drinks-only tank containers in the heart of Mexico, ready for shipping bulk tequila all round the world. Whether the product is going straight into bottling or into RTD production, our tanks provide the perfect bulk transport solution. Contact us for more information and pricing! Salud! www.paltank.co.uk #PalTank #Tequila #Mezcal #Craftsmanship #Exploration

"Tequila's Renaissance: Embracing Tradition and Innovation" As consumer preferences evolve, the tequila industry adapts, unveiling innovative products that have crowned it the best-selling Mexican drink in North America. This journey of innovation isn't new but a path well-trodden by the Scottish whisky producers at the dawn of the last century. They set the stage with creative aging techniques, diverse barrel types, and the inception of "Blended Scotch Whisky" alongside the traditional "Single Malt." With strict designations of origin and evolving packaging designs, from glass to ceramic, they showcased exclusivity and innovation. Seventy years later, tequila took a page from their book, starting with its own designation of origin (DDO), encompassing production regions, categories, and subcategories such as Blanco, Joven, Reposado, Añejo, and Extra Añejo. This marked the beginning of an era of creative evolution in tequila, from artisanal and silver varieties to the recent surge of Añejos, which have significantly boosted the category's appeal. The industry embraced unique, often handcrafted bottles, transitioning to sophisticated crystal designs by Baccarat or Lalique, commanding prices upwards of 5,000 USD, alongside trendy ceramic bottles. Parallel to these developments, tequila producers began aging their spirits in a variety of barrels, including American oak, French oak, and Japanese Mizunara oak. This method, inspired by Single Malt production, involves using barrels previously used for aging wines, sherry, ginger beer, cognac, and both red and white wines. This not only imparts distinctive flavors and colors, such as the intriguing "Rosa or Rosado tequilas," but also aligns with social causes like cancer awareness campaigns. The industry's experimentation with alcohol content further caters to a diverse audience. This is the current state of tequila, a testament to its ability to delight and meet the varied tastes and preferences of different generations, from X to Z. There's now a tequila for everyone, a reflection of identity and tradition evolving in harmony. ¡Salud! Reference: (El Informador, 2024) #tequila #innovation #mexican #culture #spirits #spiritsindustry #spiritsbusiness

This is why we say every Tequila is Mezcal but not all mezcal is Tequila What is Mezcal and why it is sometimes so confusing and difficult to talk about it. Mezcal has two equally valid but contradictory definitions. Traditionally, a mezcal is any Mexican agave distillate. The word derives from the Nahuátl metl ixcalli, meaning “cooked agave.” This broad historical definition still holds for millions of people in Mexico. Mezcal production, including tequila, dates back at least hundreds of years. It wasn’t until the late twentieth century that their Appellations of Origin were defined, placing geographic limits on what can legally be called mezcal. Tequila, therefore, is a type of mezcal, much like how scotch and bourbon are types of whiskey. Mezcal is defined as any agave-based spirit. I’m your father This is why we say every Tequila is Mezcal but not all mezcal is Tequila. Grisel Vargas Master distilled spirits profiler. Love, drink and live México #mezcal  #mezcalartesanal #mezcaloaxaqueño #tequila #tequilasunrise

Tequila! Tequila! Tequila! 🛎️ Clase Azul is a premium tequila brand, known for its high-quality and handcrafted spirits. Produced using traditional methods, involving a meticulous process that includes hand-selecting agaves, slow cooking them in traditional brick ovens and distilling the tequila in copper pot stills. The brand offers a range of tequila expressions including Clase Azul Blanco, Clase Azul Reposado and Clas Azul Añejo. All aged for different lengths of time to achieve distinct flavour profiles. Can you guess how long these bottles of Clase Azul Reposado have been aged for?👇

👇🏻 Here’s what you should know about tequila shot  There's a dance-like ritual to the tequila shot. A sprinkle of salt on the back of the hand, a slice of lemon clenched between the fingers, and a fiery shot of tequila at the ready. But how did this ritual come about, and what's the true tradition behind it? The salt and lemon ritual is not as ancient as tequila itself. In fact, many traditionalists in Mexico forgo the salt and lemon altogether, preferring to savor the pure taste of tequila. So, where did this ritual originate? Some say it's purely a commercial tactic to make lower-quality tequilas palatable, while others believe it's an age-old method to enhance the spirit's flavor and smoothness. The salt is believed to dull the burn, and the lemon's tanginess contrasts and balances the robustness of the tequila. At the end of the day, how you enjoy tequila boils down to personal preference. Whether you're a salt-and-lemon aficionado or a tequila purist, the spirit's rich history and vibrant flavors promise an experience like no other. How do you prefer to take your tequila shot ? Let me know in the comments below! #sonalholland #masterofwine #tequila #tequilashot #spirits #traditional #agave 

🍸 World Tequila Day 🍸 An emblematic Mexican spirit, tequila has earned worldwide success. Tequila traces its origins back to pre-Columbian times in Mexico. Indigenous peoples, including the Aztecs, made a fermented agave-based drink called "pulque". However, it was in the 16th century that the Spanish colonists introduced distillation, which is essential for producing tequila as we know it today. There are 4 main types of tequila: 1. Tequila Blanco (or Plata) : unaged, often bottled shortly after distillation. 2. Tequila Reposado: aged in oak barrels for two months to a year. 3. Tequila Añejo: aged in oak barrels for one to three years. 4 . Tequila Extra Añejo : undoubtedly the most complex, it is aged in oak barrels for over three years. Let’s celebrate #WorldTequilaDay together! 🎉 “The abuse of alcohol is dangerous for your health, please drink responsibly.” #Saverglass #Glassmaker #Tequila #WorldTequilaDay

The differences between Tequila Blanco, Joven/Silver and Cristalino. Blanco tequila is the tequila that is bottled directly from distillation, therefore it is the youngest and strongest. Silver tequila is a tequila that usually rests for a few days in barrels, which gives it a softer flavor than white but with the same freshness. Finally, cristalino tequila is the softest of these 3 due to its aging in barrels and its filtration through activated carbon, which is why it also makes it complex. Now that you know the difference you can choose your best choice, this does not mean that one is better than the other, but rather that you can have a favorite one for specific occasions. It will depend on your tastes and needs to choose which one is best for you. #Tequila #Spirits #DrinkResponsibly