For those in search of the perfect tequila for their Cinco de Mayo celebration, spirits maker IZO was recently awarded Tequila of the Year at the London Spirits Competition. The winner of the prestigious prize is awarded based on three criteria: taste, presentation, and value.
IZO’s 100% agave Extra Añejo Cristalino Tequila took home this year’s top prize at the fourth competition in London. After being distilled twice, the tequila is aged for three years in order to achieve the status of Extra Añejo.
After its years-long resting period, the tequila undergoes a final charcoal filtration process. The final product “exudes a bouquet of delicate notes of herbs, fruit and spices,” the distiller boasts.
The aged tequila also won points for presentation. The craft bottles are both hand corked and hand labeled, telling a story about the brand itself.
“Hand-corked and hand-labeled by a team of craftsmen, it evokes a tale of heart and soul,” IZO says of its creative packaging.
“Subtle smokiness of the Mezcal comes through in the shaded smoke rising from the bottom of the bottle, earthy fire pits are evidenced in volcanic rock imprints as you run your hand across it, and hand-applied labels allow the light to shine through and reveal the spirit’s sparkling clarity.”
Winning Tequila of the Year is a big deal for this aged spirit.
“We are delighted to have won this award,” said master mezcalero Jose Gonzalez in a statement announcing the brand’s big win.
“We believe that everyone should be able to drink good quality agave spirits that are full of quality and flavour. Our approach is all about extending the legacy of an age old process, and we are thrilled it has been recognised by judges at the London Spirits Competition.”
As cities and states continue to gradually open back up, distillers are getting ready to see a boost in sales. Spirits producers are ramping up as on-premise outlets come back online, and inch closer to 100% capacity, and IZO has been expanding as a result. “We have seen an increase of sales and expanded our line,” the company said in an email to Hard Seltzer News.
During bar and restaurant shutdowns brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, distilleries have had to get creative in order to invigorate sluggish sales. For some, this has meant adding new products in order to meet new moments.
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Many distilleries are expanding by adding products lines of premixed, ready to drink canned cocktails that can be enjoyed from the safety and comfort of home. Others are partnering with existing producers.
IZO has not ruled out either option. “We have considered a premium canned cocktail,” the company confirmed, but are still “open to being contacted” by potential partners.
The Tequila of the Year joins IZO’s award winning mezcal, for which the San Diego-based company is known. The premium spirit is made from agave harvested from the wild, which is then roasted in a special process involving both organic oak and volcanic lava – a smoky combination, indeed.
IZO Spirits was founded in 2000 by Gaston Martinez, with a mission “to share the celebratory spirit and centuries-old legacy of agave spirits with the world.”
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