There’s a reason bar industry experts gravitate towards reposado tequila. Meaning “rested,” reposado sits for at least two months, but generally less than a year, in the barrel. Most oftentimes, they’re American oak casks that once held whiskey. “It’s like the VSOP of tequila, aged but not too aged, with some wood but not overly decadent,” says Ivy Mix, owner of New York's Leyenda and author of "Spirits of Latin America." She quotes Carlos Camarena, master distiller of Jalisco La Alteña distillery, where Tequila Ocho is made: “He says aging is supposed to be like a picture frame, and in this case, the picture is of agave. You don’t want the frame to overtake the picture but to bring out [the] best attributes and highlight them.”

Traditionally distilled in the Mexican state of Jalisco using the cooked hearts of the Blue Agave plant (Agave Tequilana), Tequila is one of the world's greatest and most unique spirits. Tequila can be either un-aged in the form of Blanco or spend some time in oak. Barrel-aged Tequilas are labelled based on the length of time spent maturing with Reposado being the youngest before Añejo and finally Extra Añejo. Often associated with youthful drinking sessions in shot form, there's much more sophistication in tequila than the average consumer realises.Mangrove will also be distributing El Sueño (meaning ‘dream’), VIVIR’s quality Mixto as an environmentally friendly and affordable Tequila alternative. As the demand for tequila grows and the pressure on agave supplies increases, there are producers who are adopting processes which are neither kind to the land or the reputation of tequila. Mixtos are not made of 100% agave, however quality varieties like El Sueño offer a sustainable alternative with no compromise on raw materials and production. This cookie is set by Rubicon Project to control synchronization of user identification and exchange of user data between various ad services. We really thought about it and wanted to be different whilst keeping something of tradition. For example, the Blanco bottle is the colour of the agave; it’s also meant to look like ceramics so that a nod to tradition. Our logo is Quetzalcóatl, the Aztec god who agave supposedly came from. Sierra Milenario Extra Añejo also received the top award for its “complex” profile. Tasting notes included: “Resinous, rich and bold nose with some dates and dried fruits. Spiciness has mellowed wonderfully, leaving toffee and subtle wood influence. Well‐rounded, balanced and delicious.” The qualities of the sweet Weber blue agave are ever-present and the smoothness of the Blanco is very impressive. Suggested Serve

From there, the competition moved onto Flavoured Tequila, where a Gold medal was handed to 1800 Coconut, with its “inviting, fresh coconut” aroma and “agave notes on the finish”. Tequila blanco (or silver as it’s sometimes called) is clear in colour and unaged. As such you can expect a fresh, agave, citrus-spiked flavour. Reposado The judges found the quality improved as they progressed to 100% Agave Tequila – Premium Reposado. A Master was bestowed upon Tequila Dahlia Cristalino. Rodriguez found this expression had an “explosive nose” full of “roasted agave, pepper and floral notes”. The palate had a “touch of sweetness” and “lingering” flavour. “This shows Tequila’s immense complexity, playful aromas and notes reminiscent of other spirits categories,” he enthused. “This feels more like a sipping liquid than a mixing liquid.” Yes, indeed! We knew what we wanted to make and how we wanted to do it. We were already credited over there with the CRT and we had the logistics in place to get products over here because we already did it with the agave syrup, so it was the perfect storm really. We spent three years developing it: one year developing the Blanco, then we waited two years for the Reposado and Añejo to age – we thought if we were going to do it, best do it properly. We launched around the start of the year and since then, it’s gone nuts! We’re house pours at great places like this [ TRADE Soho] all around the country.

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Two Gold medals were given to “classic, earthy” Matra Mezcal and “very smooth” Mezcal Artesanal Noble Coyote Espadín‐Tobalá, with “ripe banana” notes. A Silver medal went to Mezcal Artesanal Noble Coyote Jabalí. The best tequilas are made with 100% agave, but the legal minimum is just 51%, with the rest allowed to be made up by a neutral spirit.

Unlike some wines, with their complex classification systems, tequila is simply categorised by age as follows: Blanco Five Gold medals added to the tally, with awards given to “highly aromatic” Tequila Herradura Reposado and “soft, candied citrus, peppery” Dobel Diamante. Mangrove UK is pleased to announce a new distribution deal with independent British Tequila brand VIVIR, as they focus on expanding coverage in their home market. With an aim of changing perceptions of Tequila in the UK, VIVIR are on a mission to create top-quality spirits in a sustainable way. Their award-winning range of premium tequila is made from 100% highland agave, it was the first Tequila to ever win Gold Awards at the Great Taste Awards for the whole range; Blanco, Reposado and Añejo. A Silver medal was given to coffee‐flavoured Sierra Milenario Tequila Cafè. Two more Silver medals were hailed in the Tequila Liqueur round. El Sueño Watermelon Liqueur pleasantly surprised the judges with its “fresh watermelon notes” and some “light earthiness”. Silver winner Horus was likened to a “very well done chocolate cream”.A Gold medal was awarded to Tequila Exotico Reposado, which had “good length” to its finish, while a Silver medal was given to Corralejo Reposado. Chambers said: “Quality‐wise, this was a solid tasting. And you’re starting to see one or two producers pushing the boundaries of what can be done.” Records the default button state of the corresponding category & the status of CCPA. It works only in coordination with the primary cookie. Myself and Nav started the process around three-and-a-half year ago but really the whole thing started sixteen years ago when I started a food company. Five or 10 years ago, nobody would put investment into research and development for Tequila, but now producers are in a position to start messing around a bit more, which means they must have confidence in the consumer.”

Creyente Mezcal also joined the Master winners. The expression offered “punchy pepper on the palate, smoke and some agave syrup sweetness. Bold, long and flavoursome,” noted the judges. Aged for at least two months, up to one year, here the colour changes to more gold and amber tones. You should find a more well-rounded flavour and smoother finish with sweeter vanilla and oak notes. Anejo Made from 100% Weber blue agave, VIVIR Tequila Blanco is double distilled and blended with local water from a volcanic spring close to the distillery in Jalisco. Nose Tanner said: “These Tequilas were worth the price point. If I were able to buy any of these in the lower, mid‐range of the price point especially, I’d be stoked.” One great reason to barrel age a tequila is to mellow the rough edges that are sometimes left in the spirit after distilling. Reposado should have personality but be easily sippable.People sometimes think we’re just chancers coming into the market but then they try our tequilas and every time realise that they’re really good. We’ve been in the market for a long time and we know what we’re doing and always wanted to create something to be proud of. Tell us about your distillery and why you chose it. Our panel – made up of 10-accredited spirits experts and tequila-loving consumers – put 27 blanco, reposado and anejo tequilas to the test. Chambers said: “This feels like a category where producers are trying to experiment and push the limits a little bit within the rules. It was a pretty great flight.” This double gold star awarded Tequila Añejo from VIVIR is their Tequila Blanco aged for 18 months in American Oak bourbon casks. The Tequila maintains its Agave routes whilst bringing an amazing palate of smoky oak, burned bananas and chocolate. Fantastic for sipping neat or over ice.