As we talked about in last week’s blog about consumption, there’s a day of reckoning coming for real Tequila given the shortage of agave and the fact that much of it is being wasted on diffuser brands with artificial sweeteners, coloring agents, and chemicals. There’s also a huge gap with current aged stocks, with some brands looking at 2024 and beyond until their reposado, añejo, and extra añejo labels come back online.
Some brands, like G4, are considering blending the añejo they have left with current blanco stocks in order to create a volume joven label that can sustain them over the next year. Other brands, like Ocho, are coming up with interesting and exciting new expressions like these three new Curado Blanco Tequilas.
I already know your first query: If these are blanco Tequilas, why are they golden in color?
Great question! Here’s the answer: two of the most respected names in the real Tequila industry—Carlos Camarena and the late Tomas Estes—decided to collaborate on one of the coolest new creations I’ve ever witnessed as a professional. 100% blanco Tequila distillates, distilled from blue agave, but infused with the cooked piñas of other agave varietals.
Here’s how it works: Agave Azul from Arandas, Espadín from Oaxaca, and Cupreata from Michoacan are cooked and then transported to Jalisco where they’re placed into cotton bags like tea leaves. From there, they’re dipped into the stainless steel tanks at Ocho distillery and infused with 55% ABV blanco Tequila for five days. 21 kilos of agave are used for every 1000 liters of Tequila (for all you tea nerds out there).
The result is three different expressions that use the same base Ocho Tequila distillate, but a different infusion: Agave Azul, Espadín, and Cupreata. Each of them has a certain sweetness of fruit that somewhat mimics the weight of a reposado, but with the vibrancy and spice of a classic blanco. The Espadín and Cupreata expressions translate some of the smoke as well from the roasted agaves, sort of hinting at mezcal. All three are outstanding and priced right at $45.99. You’re going to want them.
Two of the biggest names in unadulterated Tequila have created the only “adulterated” Tequila I'm interested in drinking!
-David Driscoll