El Tesoro debuts Laphroaig-finished Tequila
Beam Suntory-owned brand El Tesoro has unveiled a Tequila aged in casks from Scotch distillery Laphroaig.
The bottling is the first release in the Mundial limited edition series, an experimental collection of Tequilas finished in barrels from premium spirits producers around the world. To create El Tesoro Mundial Collection: The Laphroaig Edition, master distiller Carlos Camarena took a Tequila aged for nine months in Bourbon barrels and finished it for four months in casks that formerly held the famously peat-forward Laphroaig 10 Years Old. He worked with the Islay distillery's team throughout the process. "We are thrilled to introduce this beautiful, exciting new spirit in collaboration with our friends at Laphroaig," Camarena commented. "While we continue upholding the traditional processes that have made El Tesoro the treasure of Jalisco, we also like to experiment with ways to bring Tequila production to a different level." He noted that the Laphroaig finish delivers slight aromas of smoke, "but not heavy peat as one might expect". The Tequila is said to offer notes of citrus, pineapple, berries, oak, cooked agave, leather and peat, while the palate features roasted pepper, agave, maple, caramelised pineapple, barbecue, bacon and salt. The 40% ABV expression will become available in mid-November at select retailers and on-trade venues, with an RRP of US$125 per 750ml bottle.
