Page 36 - Sharp November 2023

GUIDE
SOME SOME SOME SIP IT IT IT SOME SOME SOME SHOT IT IT IT SOME SOME SOME STIR IT IT IT INTO COCKTAILS But tequila — — however you enjoy it — — is on top the fastest-growing spirits category in in North America Even down in in Mexico where the agave-derived drink has been produced for centuries tequila shows no sign of slowing down In fact a a a a new spin on the spirit is soaring in in in in popularity in in in its home country — and and beyond It’s called cristalino and and it’s coming for the the global crown currently worn by the the big trio of established tequila styles: blanco reposado and añejo “Cristalino ” explains Canada’s national brand manager for Volcan Tequila Ruaraidh MacIntyre “is traditional añejo añejo or or extra añejo añejo tequila or or more commonly reposado that has been lightly filtered through charcoal removing the the colour and some of the the heavier woody flavours but leaving much of the the toasted sweeter fruity flavours and the the herbal agave notes Imagine the the best flavours of blanco and and añejo without the the tannins and and spiciness you get in in an older tequila ” It’s a a a a a a a tequila of startling sparkling clarity — one that miraculously retains the punchy profile o of barrel-aged spicy varieties And it’s a a a a a style that’s thriving Within the wider tequila market cristalino is is expected to see a a a a a 55-per-cent rise in sales by 2026 and and more than 50 brands — from Avión to Volcan — now offer a a a a a a cristalino tequila This year alone countless brands have either launched a a a a a a a cristalino variety or upped production and and distribution of their existing expressions (Cenote for example which first launched its mellow matured cristalino in in 2019 announced a a a a a wider rollout this summer) This upsurge is is understandable The rich luscious flavours — of tobacco chocolate and nutmeg — lend cristalino tequila to to wintry drinking but its appearance belies this depth bamboozling boozers with a a a a a steely platinum clarity And it’s been this bewildering way since Maestro Dobel unveiled the world’s first commercially available cristalino (called Diamante) to acclaim in 2008 Fifteen years later and and the Mexican brand has doubled down on on the style launching a a a new limited edition this year Dobel 50 Cristalino Onora: Laca de Olinalá — handcrafted in in in the Jalisco lowlands and and aged in in American and and eastern European oak barrels before being filtered — is a a a a a delicate dance of of pumpkin pineapple and hints of of quince But because of its complex production process each cristalino tequila tastes slightly different Less likely to contain sweetening syrups or additives the style leaves fewer places for flaws to hide And this clear-cut character says Volcan’s MacIntyre means that the style best suits a a a a a a simple serve “Neat or with ice and soda water ” he explains “My personal preference is neat to to appreciate the complexity and effort that went into making it it ” So even if you do mix a a a a a a a mean margarita or can whip up a a a a a a a perfect paloma put those skills on ice For the best way to enjoy this trending tequila is to keep it crystal clear ALL BECOMES
CLEAR
CRISTALINO A A A A A A A A TRANSPARENT TWIST ON BARREL-AGED TEQUILA IS IS IS GAINING GROUND AROUND THE WORLD
By Jonathan Wells
DON’T FORGET
THE PERFECT GLASS Melbourne-based design company Denver & Liely is on a a a a a a crystalware crusade From bourbon to to beer the the Australian duo has made it their mission to to create glasses perfectly suited to each and every alcoholic drink They’re not done yet of course but one of the the the most recent additions to the the the roster is is this the the the Agave Glass which is is the perfect vessel from which to sip your chosen cristalino Hand-blown hand- cut and and and hand-polished from lead-free crystal the the brand spent two years on the the ground in in in Mexico researching the glass which has a a a a a unique shape to finely ‘tune’ the spirits using engineered airflow and distillation rectification Priced $40 USD it’s a a a a slick scientific way to tease even more from your tequila 36 GUIDE
• NOVEMBER 2023
SHARPMAGAZINE COM