INTO THE WOOD

BY GABRIELLA ECHEVARIETTA

The Barrel Blend is matured in two styles of custommade casks, crafted with oak sourced from France and the United States.

“The same meticulous attention we put into selecting agaves, we used in the development of our barrels,” says cofounder and CEO Bertha González Nieves. “The wood complements the agave without overpowering it, delivering a beautiful marriage of flavors and aromas that will enamor the aged-spirits lover.”

The brand explores the nuances of oak even further in the creation of Casa Dragones Reposado Mizunara, a 100 percent blue agave tequila gently rested in Japanese mizunara oak casks. Traditionally used for aging Japanese whiskies, the ancient oak used to mature Reposado Mizunara was selected from Japan’s only independent cooperage. “Our idea for this reposado, which is a very traditional style of tequila, was to bring a Japanese twist into the experience of taste,” González Nieves continues. “It shows that Mexico’s craftsmanship can actually complement Japanese craftsmanship.” Casa Dragones Reposado captures the essence of summer in a glass, with serene notes of apricot and butterscotch mingling with orange blossom and magnolia. casadragones.com/us