Siempre turns to ‘lost’ distilling technique
Independent spirits brand Siempre has created a limited edition Tequila using a 'previously forgotten' Hispanic-Peruvian distilling method.
Siempre Exclusivo-Vivo was made with a technique that allows the spirit to continue fermenting during distillation. “Exclusivo is a project designed to bring liquid works of art to life,” said Alex Lacroix, co-founder, Siempre. “While many are putting simple Tequila into intricate, beautiful bottles, Vivo is the exact opposite. “It is a harmony of carefully selected agave and lost distilling techniques, absolutely never seen in the Tequila world, created by one the world’s most respected maestro Tequileros placed in an overly simple glass bottle.” Siempre Exclusivo-Vivo was created in partnership with Sergio Cruz, one of Mexico’s most renowned master Tequileros, and Adam Fodor, International Tequila Academy founder. To create the unique spirit, Cruz and Fodor distilled the juice extracted from the cooked and crushed piñas of the agave plant, known as mosto, while the yeast was still alive. The process takes place in open air, meaning some alcohol is lost through evaporation, and it is easier for local bacteria to get into the tank and compete with the yeast for food and nutrients. This technique therefore creates a lower yield, as the spirit loses efficiency. However, this means the spirit contains more essence of the agave, offering a unique depth and flavour complexity. Only a handful of producers are said to use this fermentation process, often referred to as wild or natural fermentation. Siempre Exclusivo-Vivo is described as having ‘a slight peppery touch’ with notes of fresh fruit, honey, and silky butter. The limited edition blanco Tequila is made with 100% Blue Weber, El Chivo, Arandas agaves in the Arandas region of Jalisco. It is bottled at 47.5% ABV with no water dilution. Only 9,000 bottles are currently available. Siempre Exclusivo-Vivo is priced at RRP US$129.99, and is available in Nevada and Connecticut, with pre-sales also available in Michigan. Last month we revealed our top 10 most innovative spirit launches of 2022.
