TASTE

Agave Beyond and

Once a drink to be had as shots, tequila has since transformed into a connoisseur’s drink

WORDS PRIYANKO SARKAR

Whisky or gin?” was the rst question that bartenders would ask me when I frequented food and beverage outlets in Mumbai. O late, they have started serving either a Paloma in a highball glass or a classic Tequila Sunrise. One can even order from a dedicated tequila menu at ne-dine establishments. I have observed recently that consumers are now enjoying tequila and mezcal, a er a long spell of loyalty to vodka and gin which were their favoured drinks for a long time.

Experts in the industry have con rmed that tequila and mezcal are now being appreciated in all kinds of ways - on the rocks, with a splash of water or in innovative cocktails. Tequila in the past was treated with negative connotations but has come full circle in India. Today, we have the pleasure of indulging in some extraordinary quality agave spirits in our country.

WHAT BROUGHT ABOUT THE CHANGE

A host of factors from celebrity endorsements in the West to purported health bene ts and the overall premiumisation of the liquor industry have all played a major role in making tequila and now mezcal, as the spirit of choice for most alcohol drinkers.

A IS FOR AGAVE

Both tequila and mezcal are made from agave plants. Spirits made using Mexico’s agave plants are the only ones that can be called tequila and mezcal, thanks to their GI status. Agave is grown in other countries too and even in India along the Deccan plateau with a di erent plant called Agave Americana and alcohol made from these are called agave spirits.

Mexicans have been right in the knowledge and belief that tequila is as good as any other alcohol. As it is with grapes for wines and grains for whisky, so it is with agave plants for tequila; the quality of agave determines the quality of the spirits.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF TEQUILA

ere are di erent types of tequilas in the market, based on how long they’ve been allowed to age. Freshly distilled tequila is called Blanco Tequila or Silver Tequila which is a clear and light spirit that is meant for mixing into cocktails.

When it is kept in oak barrels for two to twelve months, it is called Reposado (rested) Tequila. ese are the slightly more nuanced tequilas which are used when you need the spirit to shine through in the cocktail.

If the tequila is rested for a year to three years, it is called Añejo Tequila, and if it is rested for over three years, it is called Extra Añejo Tequila. Both types of tequilas are meant to be sipped like single malts, to relish their complex avours.

A lot of the credit for popularising tequila goes to bartenders across the country; from mezcal Negronis to Picantes and so many others, bartenders have pushed far beyond margaritas when it comes to tequila cocktails.

Justin Tan, Director of Código 1530, predicts that sales of tequila are likely to overtake vodka in the US within two years a er it became popular in the US four years ago and the same trends are now being seen in other parts of Asia and India.

THE CELEBRITY FACTOR

Tequila came to the attention of the world when George Clooney’s company Casamigos was bought over by spirit giant Diageo for a billion dollars in 2013. Several celebrities followed suit, including Dwayne Johnson who launched a small batch of Teremana Tequila in India. Last year, Elon Musk launched Tesla Tequila a er tweeting about it on April Fool’s Day in 2018 and letting everyone assume it was a joke—priced he ily, the lightning boltshaped bottles placed on a futuristic stand were sold out

no sooner than they were on the shelves. Tequila has become so popular with international celebrities that a lot of them have invested personal stakes in the agave business.

However, this has led to a severe shortage of quality and premium tequila in emerging markets like India because, unlike gin or vodka, making tequila is an intensive process spanning over years. e agave plant takes about seven long years to mature, following which the distilled alcohol is further ‘rested’ in barrels for premium Añejo and extra Añejo expressions. Consumers and bartenders are impatient and are not willing to wait that long to sample the hot new spirit, so they will move on and trade loyalties with the next readily available alcohol.

Much to industry experts’ amazement, tequila became one of the best spirits to consume for a post-pandemic generation looking for healthier options. Furthermore, in bars and homes alike, people seem to prefer mixers that can be used in accordance with tequila. In fact, most bars now have a signature tequila cocktail.

Not restricted to bars alone, even while entertaining at home people seem to prefer mixers that can be used with tequila. Tequila and mezcal seem to be winning not only the hearts but also the taste buds of patrons all over and showing no signs of slowing down.

TASTING TEQUILA

e best way to savour good tequila is to pour 30 ml into a cocktail glass and drink it in three sips. Take a 10ml sip rst and allow the spirit to travel around your mouth before you swallow. e second sip is similar to the rst but try to expand on your palate this time and enjoy the full range of the spirit with your nal sip – all in the span of 30 seconds. And just like that you’re a tequila pro. Salud! BTI

HOT

WHEELS

A recap of some of the best Indian luxury cars of 2022

WORDS DHIRAM SHAH

The year 2022 has been a good one for the luxury segment of the Indian automotive industry, with major automobile manufacturers lining up to launch their latest models in the country. e disruptions caused by the pandemic over the last two years are nally abating, including the devastating supply chain issues which are nally beginning to ease o . e automotive industry has sprung back to life, registering stellar growth in sales numbers. In fact, the demand in the market is much greater than the supply; which has not only helped manufacturers sell cars in record numbers globally but also motivated them to focus on markets like India. e latest models have been brought to Indian shores shortly a er their global debut, which is completely unprecedented. Additionally, the EV segment in the country has also quickly transformed from being virtually non-existent to becoming one of the fastest growing. Here is a list of the top luxury cars that were launched in India this year.

AUDI Q7

A er a hiatus of nearly two years, Audi brought back the Q7 luxury SUV in India earlier this year by launching the 2022 Audi Q7 faceli . e updated Audi Q7 made its global debut back in 2019 and features design updates along with a fully revamped interior. Although the Q7 faceli has retained its overall shape, the German manufacturer has tweaked the exterior styling by giving it a bigger octagonal single-frame grille along with revised Matrix LED headlamps. As a result, the family SUV looks sportier than ever. Similar to its predecessor, the new Q7 comes with adaptive air suspension as standard equipment and is o ered with Audi Drive Select. However, the updated Audi Q7 is now a petrol-only model with the new 340hp, 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 as the only engine option. audi.in

BMW X7 40I M SPORT 50 JAHRE M EDITION

BMW recently launched the X7 40i M Sport 50 Jahre M edition in India as a part of the ongoing 50th-anniversary celebrations of its M division. It will be locally produced at the BMW Group plant in Chennai, India. e celebratory model is available in a single petrol version and features special M-speci c styling elements, which include a gloss black kidney grille, special 21-inch black alloy wheels, and gloss black nished brake callipers. e M accessories package is o ered as an optional extra that adds an Alcantara nished steering wheel and key fob along with carbon- bre nished wing mirror caps. e special edition is exclusively available in mineral white and carbon black. e X7 40i M Sport 50 Jahre M Edition is powered by the same 340hp, 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbopetrol engine as the standard car. bmw.in

KIA EV6

Kia EV6 became the Korean carmaker’s rst all-electric in India a er being launched in June this year. Closely related to the Hyundai Ioniq 5, the Kia EV6 has been making waves across the globe with its quirky design and impressive specs. Available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions, the EV6 comes to the Indian shores via the CBU (completely built unit) route. Only 100 units have been allocated for India in 2022 and all of them have already been spoken for. While both the versions of the EV sold in India are powered by the same 77.4kWh battery pack, the range-topping AWD version gets two motors that cumulatively produce 325hp, making it the closest rival to the Volvo XC40 recharge. kia.com

MERCEDES-MAYBACH S-CLASS

e new-generation Mercedes-Maybach S-Class agship sedan was introduced in India earlier this year in March, almost two years a er its global debut. Just like its predecessor, the new Mercedes-Maybach sedan builds on the standard S-Class and elevates the level of luxury and opulence with more premium features, added creature comforts, extra legroom, and a more powerful powertrain option. e agship luxury sedan is available in two trim levels - S580 and S680. While the former is locally assembled at the automaker’s India plant, the range-topping S680 4MATIC with an AMG-tuned V12 arrives in India as a completely built unit (CBU) and is already sold out till 2023. e Mercedes-Maybach S-Class not only gets plenty of industry-leading features but is also the rst car in India to get Level 2 autonomous driving. mercedes-benz.com

LEXUS NX350H

Lexus refreshed its line-up in India recently by launching the all-new NX 350h luxury SUV which rides on a new platform and gets plenty of new features. Although it sits in a crowded segment with rivals like the BMW 3 and Audi Q5, the NX 350h sets itself apart by being the only strong hybrid in its class. Furthermore, it di erentiates itself from the rest with its edgy and polarizing design characterized by sharp and angular design elements and Lexus’ famous spindle grille. Under the bonnet is a 2.5-litre Atkinson cycle engine that produces 190hp, which is assisted by a pair of electric motors on the front and rear axles that bump the combined output to 243hp and give the SUV all-wheel drive. lexus.com

RANGE ROVER

e all-new, h-generation Range Rover recently made its way to Indian shores a er making its global debut last year. e new agship luxury SUV follows in the footsteps of its predecessor and focuses on setting new standards in the segment. e iconic British manufacturer has given its agship SUV a familiar appearance by retaining the instantly recognizable silhouette and its overall design. e exterior features plenty of subtle and minimalistic design updates that make it look better than ever. e new Range Rover is also much bigger in size than the outgoing model, which helps in o ering more space inside the cabin. It is available with two powertrain options, and three trim levels. e SUV is o ered in standard and longwheelbase forms with 5- and 7-seater cabin layouts. landrover.in BTI