3 minute read
BRAND BUZZ
Brand Brand Buzz
There’s no shortage of new and interesting tequila brands in the U.S. – it’s one of the fastest-growing spirits categories in the country (in 2020 alone, total tequila volume in the States increased by almost 16%, according to IWSR Drinks Market Analysis). But very few new tequilas are designed especially with bartenders in mind, which is one of many reasons why award-winning Espanita Tequila has been so successful behind the bar.
“The taste profiles of our three Espanita tequilas were specifically developed to put in bartenders’ hands a truly versatile tequila brimming with flavors and aromas,” explains Marina Wilson, President and Founder of Espanita Tequila Company, who got her start in the industry by importing and marketing craft tequilas before she started her own. “Our tequila is zesty and vibrant, with crisp floral aromas, while also being so smooth and velvety at the same time. It works in practically any tequila-based cocktail and elevates and enhances the drink.”
With a commitment to preserving and honoring traditional craftsmanship, each expression in the Espanita Tequila portfolio starts with hand-selected 100% Weber Blue Agave grown in the Highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. From there, the agave piñas are slow roasted at low temperatures in large stone ovens, before the juice is extracted and fermented for up to seven days using natural yeast. After distillation, Espanita Tequila is distilled in small alembic pot stills before aging and bottling in an attractive and eye-catching package labeled with Espanita’s signature crescent moon emblem surrounded by shimmering stars (a symbol of power that has been recurring in art and spiritual thought for over 30,000 years.)
“I have always been fascinated by the spirit of Blue Agave and by the craftsmanship and passion behind each step of transcending stone-hard and caustic agave piñas into fragrant, complex, and flavorful tequila,” adds Wilson. “It is important to know and appreciate that each of these numerous steps were developed and perfected by many generations of tequileros in Mexico over several hundreds of years. This is a very elaborate and labor-intensive process!”
Additionally, the brand is working on new expressions including several double barrel editions, and single barrel tequilas that will be available to individual on-premise accounts starting later this year. Espanita is also preparing to introduce an extra añejo soon, and a series of flavored tequilas.
“Innovation is a crucial part of Espanita’s brand philosophy,” says Wilson.
It’s not just bartenders who have discovered and embraced the flavors and versatility of Espanita Tequila, so has Armando Christian Perez, better known as the megastar musician Pitbull. According to Wilson, after being introduced to Espanita, he immediately fell in love with it (especially Espanita Reposado, his favorite), and now serves as the brand’s global ambassador and creative advisor.
ESPANITA BLANCO TEQUILA
An exceptional crystalclear unaged tequila which embodies the purest expression of Weber Blue Agave. The aroma is characterized by flavors of marzipan, chocolate mint, sage, bay leaf, and lemongrass, and the taste is silky smooth and vibrant, with rich flavors of hazelnut, black peppercorn, rosemary, and thyme.
ESPANITA REPOSADO TEQUILA
Aged for six months in slightly charred ex-Bourbon American white oak barrels to bring out succulent aromas of spiced butter, vanilla butterscotch, jasmine tea, and slight peppery herbal scents. The flavor of this highly awarded tequila is notably creamy and focused on roasted agave punctuated by walnut, kola nut, sassafras and sweet tarragon.
ESPANITA AÑEJO TEQUILA
A well-aged añejo tequila skillfully incorporates wood-driven flavors with a rustic presence of roasted agave, and that’s exactly what you find in Espanita Añejo. Aged for 18 months, this superb tequila combines an aroma of honey oak, roasted agave, and traces of citrus tree wood, almond nougat and caraway with a taste that’s slightly chewy, fruity, and medium-to-full body with flavors of fresh grass, vanilla, and toasted marshmallow.
