JOSE CUERVO TEQUILA RELEASES NEW CUERVO TRADICIONAL AÑEJO, BRINGING IRISH WHISKEY CRAFT TO MEXICO’S NATIONAL SPIRIT
The First Family of Tequila finishes its centuries-old recipe in Irish single malt whiskey barrels, producing a unique and complex añejo unlike any other tequila on the market
TEQUILA, MEXICO (April 22, 2020) – Jose Cuervo Tradicional® — the original 100% agave tequila — today introduces its first añejo tequila: Tradicional Añejo, a liquid born in the heart of Mexico that borrows from Irish whiskey’s craft. Made with the original Cuervo family recipe from 1795, Tradicional Añejo is a premium tequila matured for more than 12 months in new American oak barrels. The añejo spirit is then finished for up to four months in Irish single malt whiskey barrels – from the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery – to create a unique and complex tequila.
As the leader in the tequila category, Jose Cuervo remains on the cutting edge of product innovation to yield unprecedented results. Created for the U.S. market, Tradicional Añejo debuts stateside as both Irish whiskey and tequila continue to see growth across spirit categories . The marriage of Mexican and Irish distillation culture creates a fine and rich añejo tequila that can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, in classic tequila drinks, or in variations of traditional whiskey cocktails such as a Whiskey Sour or Old Fashioned.
The process begins at Cuervo’s La Rojeña, the oldest distillery in Latin America, where the carefully selected agave piñas are slowly roasted to convert starches to sugar. After the distillation process and oak aging, the liquid is finished in Irish single malt whiskey barrels for up to four months. Jose Cuervo’s Master Distiller Alex Coronado experimented with a number of different casks before selecting second and third filled Irish single malt whiskey barrels to add complex spice notes and mellow smoothness. The process results in an elegant and balanced añejo tequila, with primary notes of cooked agave, toasted nuts and vanilla from time spent in the oak barrels, followed by the taste of stewed figs, cinnamon baking spice and caramel. In the glass, the liquid is transparent amber of medium intensity for an aged spirit.
“What makes Cuervo Tradicional Añejo exciting for me is the marriage between two of the world’s oldest distilleries and crafts,” said Alex Coronado, Jose Cuervo’s Master Distiller. “I traveled to Bushmills in Northern Ireland, the oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world, to determine which whiskey casks bring the best of Irish whiskey culture to match our historic Mexican distillation process. By using active barrels, we created an amazing base that marries award-winning single malt whiskey flavors with our añejo tequila – creating an intriguing flavor profile at the top of the market, toting hints of wood and agave for a naturally sweet taste.”
As the #1 tequila maker in the world, Jose Cuervo has been at the forefront of tequila innovation for the past 225 years. Growth within the tequila industry has been propelled by premium expressions, with an increasing consumer demand for 100% agave tequilas. In under 20 years, 100% blue agave tequilas have gone from being a small slice of the U.S. market – 8.6% in 2000 – to 57.2% in 2018. Añejo tequilas are the leading variant driving this segment, growing at 21% year over year.
Jose Cuervo is the original family-owned tequila company that blazed the trail many other brands have followed. The company is dedicated to protecting and nurturing the land and people that produce its spirit in Tequila, Mexico. This past year, Jose Cuervo Tradicional launched The Agave Project, a new initiative committed to harnessing the potential of its lifeblood – the agave plant. The project’s latest creation is a more sustainable alternative to plastic straws, made from upcycled agave fibers: a first-of-its-kind biodegradable drinking straw that will decompose within one to five years in landfill conditions, up to 200 times faster than traditional plastic straws.
Cuervo Tradicional Añejo is bottled at 40% ABV, and available in the United States with a suggested retail price of $32.99 per 750ml. For more information about Jose Cuervo’s Tradicional Añejo, its unique distilling process and unrivaled taste profile, please visit www.cuervo.com.
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About Jose Cuervo ®:
Jose Cuervo® is a Mexican family-owned brand since 1795 and the largest producer of tequila throughout Mexico and around the world. Utilizing craftmanship handed down through 11 generations of the Cuervo family, the Jose Cuervo portfolio of tequilas includes Jose Cuervo Especial®, the world’s best-selling tequila, Jose Cuervo Tradicional®, the original 100% agave tequila, Jose Cuervo® Reserva de la Familia®, Jose Cuervo Golden Margarita®, Authentic Jose Cuervo Margaritas® and Jose Cuervo Margarita Mix®. For more information, visit www.cuervo.com.
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