THE SCOOP
SUPERTEQUILA
Tequila is mounting a charge on other spirits in the Super Premium category. It’s a brave new world of flavour and Olmeca, a popular brand in South Africa, has released a new label to compete for share of throat. Distilled from the juice of the blue agave plant and from a specific geographical area in Mexico, tequila is known as a party starter – but in the past few years it has stepped out of the shot glass, ditched the lemon and salt and is now in a highball, specially for slow sipping and appreciation.
“The trend in tequila is very positive. It’s one of the fastest growing spirits categories worldwide,” says Pierre-Aymeric du Cray, vice-president of the House of Tequila at Pernod Ricard México. “With the rise of mixology, people now understand tequila as a versatile, quality spirit.” Maestro Tequilero at Olmeca Altos distillery in Jalisco, Jesús Hernandez, said the biggest challenge was making a complex, flavourful tequila that is “friendly when you drink it”. “Tequila should do justice to the raw material, the agave plant. For me, it’s important that tequila keeps the emphasis on the agave.” Those lime and agave notes come through neatly in Olmeca Altos, a tequila created by and for mixologists. Its bold citrus character and full palate mean that it’s more than able to hold its own in a cocktail.
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A WINTER STORM IS COMING
World-renowned Scottish distiller Glenfiddich has added a third single malt in its Experimental Series to its lineup; this time a whisky aged in Icewine barrels. Expect the exclusive product to carry a suitably appropriate price tag as it’s a hand-crafted small batch product. Just 150 bottles of Glenfiddich Winter Storm will be available for purchase in South Africa. “The Experimental Series embodies the family philosophy of freedom and possibilities with its range of ground-breaking single malts,” said Richard Brodrick, marketing manager for Glenfiddich at Edward Snell & Co. the local distributors for the brand. “Masterful craft which goes beyond anything ever produced by a whisky maker.” “The Icewine casks Glenfiddich used for Winter Storm held Riesling grapes for nine years before being repurposed for whisky,” Brodrick said. “Due to the dominant character of Icewine, Malt Master Brian Kinsman could only use the rarer whiskies, those aged for no less than 21 years to cope with the intensity of flavour, which means the whisky contained in Winter Storm is the rarest of the Glenfiddich stocks.” Fewer than 8 000 bottles were made, Brodrick revealed, “and to be able to offer a limited release to South Africa is incredibly exciting for the brand as there aren’t any plans in the works for a second batch.” “There is a growing trend in craft spirits and with consumers’ need for authenticity coupled with the fact that Glenfiddich as a brand has a massive consumer following, we believe that this limited edition will be well received by South African whisky aficionados.” Winter Storm combines the oakiness of single malt with the heightened candied luscious sweetness from the Icewine cask finish.
