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Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
11 new spirits for the monsoon: Best tequilas, whiskeys and gins
The rains have arrived early this year — and with them, a sharp new crop of spirits. A legendary Nepali rum has entered the Indian market, there's a pink vodka that leans into fruit and florals, and homegrown distillers continue to push boundaries with aged malts and layered gins. From limited-edition whiskies to additive-free tequilas, here are some recent launches that have caught our attention. Earlier this year, in an interview with this newspaper, Bacardi India MD Vinay Golikeri noted strong traction in the super-premium tequila segment. The Patron El Cielo — Bacardi owns Patron — sold out almost instantly, he said. A similar reception is likely for El Alto, which is set to launch later this week. Endorsed by Punjabi music star Karan Aujla, the luxury tequila is a blend of Extra Anejo, Anejo, and Reposado tequilas. El Alto, which will be priced at ₹29,500 in Mumbai, is made from 100% Blue Weber agave sourced from the Jalisco highlands and aged in a mix of American and French oak barrels. The result is a smooth, layered spirit with notes of cooked agave, vanilla, caramel, and ripe fruit — aimed squarely at the sipping tequila segment. The tequila wave is not just about global giants. It is also drawing in Indian entrepreneurs such as Delhi-based Shivankar Bahl. The hospitality entrepreneur recently launched Las Maracas, a premium tequila, in Delhi with plans to expand to Mumbai, Goa, and Haryana. Produced in Jalisco, Mexico, in small batches without additives, Las Maracas is made from 100% Blue Weber agave and pure spring water. The range includes Blanco ( ₹5,300), Reposado ( ₹6,400), aged for four months in oak barrels, and Anejo ( ₹9,500), matured for 18 months to develop notes of vanilla and oak. Revelry Distillery is a new craft-focused operation in Goa founded by beverage industry professional Vaniitha Jaiin. Its debut release, Vanaha Gin, is positioned as India's first gin to follow a five-step production process, combining copper pot distillation, vapour infusion, steeping, vacuum distillation, and post-distillation maceration. This layered approach, according to the company, allows the distillers to extract nuanced flavours from each of the 24 botanicals used, which include Deodar wood, patchouli, Assam lemon, wild berries, and cacao nibs. Vanaha is described as 'a complex gin with bright citrus top notes, warm spice mid-palate, and a slightly earthy, dry finish.' The gin is currently priced at ₹2,400 in Goa. Amara, a pink vodka from Goa-based Spaceman Spirits Lab, also follows a five-step production method that includes a ruby filtration process. The vodka is made from Bangalore blue grapes and rice from the Deccan Plateau, and includes natural flavours such as strawberries, citrus, rose petals, and cherry blossom. The premium vodka is currently distributed across India by Tilaknagar Industries, which owns a stake in Spaceman Spirits Lab, reflecting a broader trend of larger alcobev companies investing in craft startups to diversify their portfolios and appeal to younger, premium-seeking consumers. The vodka, priced between ₹2,500 and ₹4,500, is available at select premium retail stores, high-end bars, and luxury hotels across Goa, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. Piccadilly Distilleries has just released a limited edition 11-year-old single malt under its Indri label, matured in ex-Bordeaux red wine casks. Only 1,100 bottles are available globally. The whisky is bottled at 50% ABV for India and 58.5% ABV for international markets. It is described as a robust single malt with dark fruit aromas and a palate of spices, vanilla, and oak-derived sweetness. The GlenJourneys Pioneer edition, launched by actor Ajay Devgn and spirits entrepreneur Moksh Sani, is another whisky worth keeping an eye out for if you are travelling. Limited to just 600 bottles, the 21-year-old whisky is aged in American oak casks and bottled at 48% ABV. The whisky is available through select international travel retain outlets. In August, the brand also plans to introduce a Cask Series, featuring non-age-statement expressions matured in rum, bourbon, and sherry casks, priced between ₹7,500 and ₹9,000. Paul John Whisky has added two new expressions to its Select Cask range: the Port and the Madeira. Both are unpeated single malts, matured in ex-bourbon casks and finished in fortified wine casks sourced from Portugal. Each is bottled at 48% ABV. The use of fortified wine casks adds layered sweetness and complexity, and one can expect a burst of luscious flavours and aromas. These expressions are currently available in Goa ( ₹8000), Karnataka ( ₹7,700), and Maharashtra ( ₹18,000). With sales of 1 million cases for two consecutive years (2022–23 and 2023–24), Radico Khaitan's Morpheus Brandy is a bonafide best-seller. Building on this success, the company recently launched the Morpheus Super Premium Whisky, blending imported Scotch malts with Indian grain spirits, matured in bourbon barrels, and bottled at 42.8% ABV. Priced between ₹1,200 and ₹1,500, this marks Radico's entry into the premium whisky segment. If you've been to Nepal, chances are you've had some Khukri Rum. Launched in 1959 in Kathmandu by three Parsi businessmen, Khukri, named after the traditional curved dagger of the Gurkhas, is the country's most famous rum. About a month ago, Kathmandu-based MCKT Beverages introduced India to the rum, which is aged in Shorea robusta (sal wood) casks, an uncommon practice in rum production. The rum is available in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Goa in three expressions: XXX, Spiced, and White. The Khukri Coronation, which comes in the iconic dagger-shaped bottle, is also being readied for launch. The XXX Rum is priced at ₹1,765, while the Spiced and White variants retail for ₹1,975 (Maharashtra). A Danish non-alcoholic beverage made with a blend of up to 13 organic teas, Copenhagen Sparkling Tea is now available in India through Bebida Hospitality. The drink occupies a growing niche between wine and tea, and is positioned as a complex, celebratory option for those avoiding alcohol. Three blends have been introduced in India: Lyserod, a rosé-style with hibiscus and red berries; Lysegron, with citrus and green tea notes; and Bla, which features jasmine, chamomile, and Darjeeling First Flush. The launch comes at a time when interest in low- and no-alcohol beverages is rising, particularly among younger urban consumers exploring 'sober curious' lifestyles. Priced at ₹3,500, the sparkling teas are being stocked at luxury hotels and are also available for direct purchase online.
Hypebeast
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hypebeast
Tequila Don Julio Unveils a Multi-Sensory Tasting Experience at Mercer Labs in NYC
Tequila Don Juliohas teamed up with New York City'sMercer Labs Museum of Art and Technologyto presentPor Amor: An Immersive Tasting Experience,which takes you on a journey through the Blue Weber agave harvesting process,the history and legacy of founder Don Julio González and more — using proprietary technology to reimagine how tequila is experienced and celebrated through art and technology. Mercer Labs is a cultural institution that bridges the gap between art and technology, and this is the museum's first-ever full brand takeover. Tequila Don Julio continues to honor its long-standing tradition of pushing boundaries through innovation with this first-of-its-kind experience, which invigorates the expressions and flavors of the spirit. As guests enter the four-day only installation, they will be met with the sounds, flavors and rhythms of Mexico, which will be personified through interactive rooms that tap into the five senses. Tequila Don Julio tells the story of its founder, as well as its aged expressions — Tequila Don Julio Reposado, Tequila Don Julio 70 Añejo Cristalino, and Tequila Don Julio 1942 — through 4D spatial sound, LED mirrored infinity rooms and volumetric light displays, fusing its passion for innovation with Mercer Labs' capacity for boundless creativity. As visitors are enveloped by the sounds of Mexico and the rich scent of roasted agave and oak, they will also have the chance to craft and sip on their own signature Tequila Don Julio cocktails using fresh ingredients and artisanal tools. Mexico is the home of Don Julio, so the brand wanted this project to encapsulate the magic of the region and connect visitors to Mexico in a deeper way. 'Don Julio González devoted his life to crafting tequila of the highest quality,' said Karina Sánchez, Global Brand Ambassador for Tequila Don Julio. 'This experience honors his unwavering spirit of innovation—a place where tradition and imagination converge, inviting guests to celebrate the extraordinary that can be achieved when passion fuels every step of the journey.' The experience will take place from June 12-15, and complimentary tickets are available on a first-come, first-serve basis
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Leading Additive-Free and Carbon Neutral Tequila Brand, De Nada Tequila, Secures Double Gold Nod via Inaugural Agavos International Spirits Competition
NEW YORK, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, De Nada Tequila, a leading additive-free and carbon neutral tequila brand, is pleased to announce the securement of a Double Gold Award via The Inaugural Agavos International Spirits Awards. The world's top tequilas, mezcals, and agave spirits were blind tasted and evaluated in Tequila Matchmaker's inaugural competition - in which De Nada placed as one of the highest-scoring bottles across the board. "This particular award bears notable weight as this is the first-ever award focused on additive-free tequilas," states Adam Millman, Co-Founder and CEO of De Nada Tequila. Millman continues, "Given the magnitude of the wider Tequila Matchmaker platform and the level of quality their platform stands for, it really means a lot that we not only placed, but received the highest level of recognition for the work we're doing to provide consumers with a delicious new additive-free tequila option for many of life's memorable occasions." The latest award comes on the heels of additional notable company news, including the recent securement of capital via a sports related family office, overall company refresh led by Sandstrom Partners and expanded distribution and footprint in California, Texas, New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut markets in select Total Wine, Spec's, and Trader Joe's stores. To check out more on the awards as well as the wider list of award winners, check out the link below: De Nada is made from 100% Blue Weber agave by fifth generation growers and distillers at the Vivanco estate (NOM 1414). The brand was founded by Millman and Neeson, who bonded over Tequila and sustainable business ventures as roommates at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. De Nada Tequila's Blanco and Reposado offerings are available in select key markets including New York, New Jersey, California, Texas, and Connecticut as well as available to purchase via the brand's website. To learn more visit or check out or visit the company's Instagram. Communications ContactTaylor Foxman395857@ Collective609-432-2237 Company ContactAdam Millmanamillman@ Nada Tequila845-570-1170 View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE De Nada Tequila Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Are You Drinking Fake Tequila? New Class Action Lawsuit Says Yes
Halt the margaritas! Two of your favorite tequila brands are in hot water. A class action lawsuit is alleging that Casamigos and Don Julio tequilas "consist of significant concentrations of cane or other types of alcohol rather than pure tequila." You're telling me we're possibly being duped by big tequila? Say it ain't so! The proposed class-action lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, goes on to allege that both brands fail to meet the regulatory requirements to label themselves as "100% agave" in Mexico and the United States, even though they carry that distinction on their labels. This is important because, according to Mexican law, tequilas that are marked as "100% agave" must be produced exclusively from Blue Weber agave grown in designated regions of Mexico. Food & Wine explains that while tequila regulations do permit a small amount of flavoring—up to one percent of the total volume—the inclusion of alcohol from sources other than Blue Weber agave, such as cane spirits, is strictly prohibited. The lawsuit claims that Casamigos and Don Julio contain significant amounts of non-agave alcohols, despite being labeled as '100% agave.' Customers named in the suit claim that they purchased the products under the assumption that the tequilas were made exclusively from Blue Weber agave, and paid prices reflective of that premium designation. The lawsuit seeks $5 million in damages on behalf of consumers, along with an injunction to halt Diageo—the brands' parent company—from allegedly "deceptive advertising practices." The plaintiffs also point to wider economic damage, claiming that the use of less expensive alcohol alternatives has hurt small agave farmers in Mexico by lowering the market price of agave. Diageo has denied the allegations and stated that both brands comply with U.S. and Mexican regulatory standards. The company also maintains that the tequilas are certified by Mexico's tequila regulatory body, the Consejo Regulador del Tequila (CRT). Looks like I'm strictly a Patrón girly for the time being. You Might Also Like Insanely Easy Weeknight Dinners To Try This Week 29 Insanely Delicious Vodka Cocktails
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
A Federal Lawsuit Accuses Casamigos and Don Julio of Spiking Their Tequilas With Cane Spirit
A class action lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York accuses Diageo of falsely labeling Casamigos and Don Julio tequilas as '100% agave,' alleging the presence of non-agave alcohols like cane spirits. The complaint seeks $5 million in damages and challenges the reliability of tequila certification by Mexico's regulatory body, the Consejo Regulador del Tequila (CRT), citing unverified reports of corruption and lax enforcement. Diageo strongly denies the allegations, asserting its tequilas meet all regulatory standards and are certified by the CRT and U.S. the past several years, the conversation around transparency in tequila has largely centered on the use of additives and the precise language producers can use on their bottles to describe what's been added—or not added—to the spirit inside. However, this week, that conversation shifted to the purity of the agave spirit itself, as a class action lawsuit filed in U.S. federal court accused global spirits giant Diageo of adulterating some of its most popular luxury tequilas and misleading consumers through deceptive labeling. The class action complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York alleges that 'an investigation of Casamigos and Don Julio tequilas has shown that they consist of significant concentrations of cane or other types of alcohol rather than pure tequila.' As such, the complaint contends that neither brand meets the regulatory requirements to label itself '100% agave' in either the United States or Mexico, although both Casamigos and Don Julio bottles carry the descriptors 'Tequila 100% Agave Azul' and '100% de Agave,' respectively. In the filing, the plaintiffs, which include a Brooklyn sushi restaurant and a New York-based bartender who runs a popular Instagram account, claim that they purchased both Casamigos and Don Julio tequilas under the assumption that both contained spirits made exclusively from Blue Weber agave. Moreover, they and countless consumers like them paid a premium for what they believed to be high-quality tequila based on Diageo's labeling terms. Had they known those products were (allegedly) adulterated with non-agave spirits, they wouldn't have bought those products or would've paid less for them. The suit ultimately seeks $5 million in damages on behalf of consumers, as well as an injunction compelling Diageo to cease the deceptive advertising alleged in the complaint. Via a statement, Diageo global head of agave Sophie Kelly responded that 'these claims of adulteration are outrageous and categorically false.' According to Mexican law, tequilas branded as '100% de agave,' or similar variations, must be produced solely from Blue Weber agave grown in specific regions of Mexico. While it is allowed to add flavoring substances post-distillation, these can only comprise up to one percent of the total volume. However, the use of spirits not derived from Blue Weber agave is strictly forbidden. Tequilas that include spirits from cane, corn, or other sugars are classified as 'mixtos' and are generally labeled accordingly (or sometimes simply referred to as 'tequila' without the '100%' designation). Related: There Are Additives in Most Tequilas, But That's Not Necessarily a Bad Thing In Mexico, the Consejo Regulador del Tequila (CRT) enforces regulations, certifying that products sent to market comply with both production requirements and labeling standards. For tequila exported to the United States — the largest market for tequila — the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) also enforces labeling rules, deferring to Mexico's regulations. 'Don Julio and Casamigos tequilas are crafted from 100% Blue Weber Agave and, following a rigorous certification process by the CRT, are in full compliance with the official tequila standard (NOM) and U.S. TTB regulations,' Kelly said in a statement. 'We look forward to vigorously defending the quality and integrity of our Tequilas in court.' However, the lawsuit challenges the idea that certification by the CRT equates to truth in advertising. The filing cites a recent report by agave spirits authority Mezcalistas, in which protesting agave farmers assert that there is a lack of regulatory compliance throughout the industry, particularly concerning the issue of tequila adulteration. The lawsuit also levels a more inflammatory allegation of CRT corruption. 'There are reports that 'CRT officials have been turning a profit by allowing some tequila corporations to mix cane or corn alcohol into Tequila that's then labelled as 100% agave,'' the court filing says. 'This has been confirmed by sending 'samples of tequila for laboratory analysis' and observing 'trucks delivering cane alcohol to distilleries.'' These allegations remain wholly unsubstantiated, and many of the more serious accusations in the complaint rely heavily on secondhand 'reports' like the aforementioned Mezcalistas dispatch. However, it directly addresses a long-simmering debate in the tequila industry over transparency, labeling standards, and uneven regulation. Related: If You Love Tequila, Try Bacanora Additives have emerged as a particular flashpoint within the industry over the past two years, as the CRT has prohibited producers from marketing their tequilas as 'additive free,' at times taking actions that critics view as heavy-handed. Last month, the CRT filed its own lawsuit in U.S. District Court, accusing the Additive Free Alliance — an industry non-profit promoting transparency in tequila production and labeling — of misleading consumers. The CRT asserts that it is the only regulatory body with the authority to certify tequilas as 'additive free,' although it currently offers no such certification. In February the CRT also temporarily blocked exports of Patrón into the U.S. in response to a nationwide advertising campaign touting the tequila's lack of 'secret ingredients.' Read the original article on Food & Wine
