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Forbes
24-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
2025 SF World Spirits Competition Crowns Top Extra Añejo Tequila
The Extra Añejo Tequila finalists from the 2025 SFWSC Five Tequilas have been chosen as finalists for the World's Best Extra Añejo Tequila at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The SFWSC is one of the largest and most prestigious spirit judging events in the world. Its results are closely followed by consumers and the beverage industry. The Top Shelf 2025 Awards Gala, a highly anticipated event in the Tequila industry, will reveal the winner on November 9 at Hotel Nikko in San Francisco. Below are brief backgrounds and tasting notes on the finalists. Cierto Tequila is an ultra-premium Tequila brand crafted by Master Distiller Enrique Fonseca at La Tequileña in Tequila. It is renowned for using mature, estate-grown Highland agave and traditional production methods. Cierto is prized for its smooth, complex flavor profile and claims to be free of additives. The brand offers two main lines. The Private Collection emphasizes refined elegance and accessibility across its Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, and Extra Añejo expressions. The Reserve Collection represents a luxury tier with longer aging and a similar range of expressions. It is designed to showcase depth and richness, appealing to connoisseurs. Both lines consistently win medals in international spirit competitions, positioning Cierto as a benchmark for modern artisanal Tequila. The Tequila is crafted using traditional methods and aged for over seven years in a mix of French and American oak barrels. The Tequila is highly aromatic on the nose, showcasing roasted agave scents of salted caramel, vanilla, toasted oak, and gentle cinnamon. The palate is both refined and complex, revealing sweet agave, candied cherries, caramel, vanilla, aged leather, cinnamon, black pepper, and subtle herbal notes. The finish is long and sweet, with lingering hints of cherry syrup, caramel, and delicate traces of dried tobacco leaf. Don Julio Tequila, located in Atotonilco el Alto, is one of Mexico's most iconic premium Tequila brands, founded in 1942 by Don Julio González. It uses hand-selected, mature Blue Weber agave and traditional slow-cooking methods to guarantee a smooth Tequila with layered, nuanced complexity. The portfolio features a range of expressions, from the crisp Blanco to the luxurious Ultima Reserva Extra Añejo. Recognized for pioneering luxury tequila, Don Julio has set a global standard for quality and craftsmanship. The Tequila is aged for 36 months in a Solera-like system. It matures in bourbon barrels and finishes in Madeira wine casks. The Tequila is aromatic and complex on the nose, featuring roasted agave notes of vanilla and caramel, dried and candied fruit—especially cherry—herbal green agave, and toasted oak notes with a slight minerality. It's fruity and sweet on the palate, with a nuanced, layered complexity that includes dark dried fruit, golden raisin, cherry, dried apricot, candied orange zest, honey, black pepper, and seasoned oak. The finish is long and sweet, with lingering honeyed agave and fruity notes. Extra Añejo Tequila shots with lime and salt El Tesoro Tequila is another iconic Mexican Tequila brand. Founded by Don Felipe Camarena in 1937, it's produced at La Alteña Distillery in Arandas in Jalisco's highlands. Known for preserving traditional methods, El Tesoro uses tahona-crushed agave, natural fermentation, and slow distillation to retain the full agave flavor. The Tequila is aged 4 to 5 years in ex-bourbon barrels made of American oak. The Tequila is floral and aromatic on the nose, featuring roasted agave notes of caramel, butterscotch, vanilla, coffee, cinnamon, and slight mineral notes. The palate is rich and fruity, showcasing coffee, dark chocolate, dried fruits, roasted almonds, seasoned wood, and hints of herbal notes. The finish is long, with lingering fruity and caramel notes, 1800 is produced by Casa Cuervo. The Tequila matures for approximately five years in ex-bourbon barrels made of American oak and is then finished for a short period in French oak Cognac barrels. The Tequila offers hints of vanilla, red fruits, a touch of cinnamon, and well-seasoned oak notes on the nose. It's rich and layered on the palate, showcasing roasted agave notes of caramel and vanilla intertwined with red fruits, subtle cinnamon, and a smooth, balanced oak presence alongside herbal and chocolate hints. The finish is long and elegant with lingering notes of mint chocolate, seasoned oak, and subtle caramel and vanilla flavors. Don Fulano is crafted by Master Distiller Enrique Fonseca and blended by Sergio Mendoza at La Tequileña in Tequila. This Extra Añejo Tequila is aged for a minimum of five years in dark European oak and finished in Oloroso sherry casks. According to the company, the Tequila is 100% additive-free. The nose is fruity and complex, featuring dried figs and apricots, complemented by subtle roasted agave notes of caramel and well-seasoned oak. It's spicy on the palate, showcasing allspice, cinnamon, pepper, caramel, vanilla, and agave flavors. The finish is long and sweet, with lingering caramel, chocolate, and spicy notes. These exceptional Extra Añejo Tequilas demonstrate a range of maturation methods, finishing techniques, and cask options. The result is a diverse array of aromas and flavor profiles that express layered and nuanced complexity. No matter your preference, you'll find a Tequila here to match your palate.
Forbes
24-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
The Top Añejo Tequila, According To The SF World Spirits Competition
The Añejo Tequila finalists from the 2025 SFWSC Photo, courtesy Tasting Alliance/San Francisco World Spirits Competition Four Tequilas have been selected as finalists for the World's Best Añejo Tequila at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The SFWSC is among the most prestigious spirit judging events in the world. Both consumers and the beverage industry closely follow its results. The Top Shelf 2025 Awards Gala, a highly anticipated event in the Tequila industry, will announce the winner on November 9 at Hotel Nikko in San Francisco. Below are brief backgrounds and tasting notes for the finalists. This Texas-based company produces its Tequila at Casa Maestri's Tequila Valley Distillery in the city of Tequila. It's crafted from a blend of Highland and Lowland agave and aged for over 14 months in ex-bourbon American oak barrels. The nose presents prominent cooked agave aromas of caramel and vanilla, accompanied by a touch of seasoned oak. The palate is both sweet and spicy, highlighting additional caramel, vanilla, oak, cinnamon, and black pepper spices. The finish is lengthy and smooth, leaving behind persistent sweet and spicy notes. Cierto Tequila is an ultra-premium Tequila brand created by Master Distiller Enrique Fonseca at La Tequileña in Tequila. It is known for utilizing mature, estate-grown Highland agave and traditional production methods. Cierto is valued for its smooth, complex flavor profile and asserts that it is free of additives. The brand offers two main lines. The Private Collection emphasizes refined elegance and accessibility across Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, and Extra Añejo expressions. The Reserve Collection is a longer-aged luxury tier designed to highlight depth and richness, appealing to connoisseurs. Both lines are perennial medalists in international spirit competitions, positioning Cierto as a benchmark for modern artisanal Tequila. The Tequila is aged for 18 months in French Limousin oak casks. The nose presents subtle hints of cooked agave, vanilla, caramel, and butterscotch. It's smooth and creamy on the palate, showcasing caramel, vanilla, milk chocolate, coffee, cooked agave, and seasoned oak. The finish is long and sweet, with lingering notes of butterscotch, vanilla, chocolate, and a hint of pepper. A field of Agave tequilana, commonly called blue agave. In the background is the famous Volcán de Tequila Getty Pantalones Tequila is an organic, 100% blue agave Tequila co-founded by celebrity couple Matthew and Camila McConaughey. It is produced at Tequiler Tap in Amatitan in the Jalisco Highlands. According to the company, it is certified USDA organic and made without additives. The brand offers Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo expressions, each produced using traditional methods. Aging occurs in ex-bourbon American oak barrels. The Añejo Tequila is aged for 15 months. The Tequila presents prominent cooked agave notes of butterscotch and brown sugar on the nose, complemented by vanilla aromas. It's smooth and velvety on the palate, showcasing more cooked agave notes of creamy butterscotch, brown sugar, a somewhat candied sweetness, butter, and a slight herbal/vegetal note. The finish is long and sweet, with lingering caramel and subtle vanilla notes. Hotel California Tequila is a premium Tequila brand inspired by the like-named legendary Baja California hotel. It is produced at Hacienda Capellania in Jalisco's Southern Los Altos region. The Tequila is aged in both French and American oak barrels. The Tequila is aromatic and complex on the nose, featuring prominent woody aromas and subtle dark chocolate, ripe peach, and dried apricot notes. The seasoned oak aromas are even more pronounced on the palate, complemented by vanilla, caramel, chocolate, and prune flavors. The finish is long and sweet, with lingering caramel, vanilla, and chocolate notes. Each Añejo Tequila highlights the artistry and dedication involved in crafting exceptional spirits. Whether you prefer Pantalones' sweet and velvety notes, the complex, woody character of Hotel California, the sophisticated layered complexity of Cierto, or the sweet and spicy flavor of De La Gente, a unique experience awaits you in every bottle.
Business Wire
13-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Cierto Tequila Wins Eight Medals at the 2025 L.A. Spirits Awards
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Elevated Spirits Company is pleased to announce that Cierto Tequila received eight (8) medals, including two (2) Platinum medals and one (1) Gold medal, at the 2025 L.A. Spirits Awards (LASA) – the most of any tequila brand in the competition. The brand's continued success with L.A. Spirits Awards and its panel of the beverage industry's top opinion leaders reflects a rapidly growing appreciation and advocacy for Cierto's award-winning, additive-free True tequila. Painstakingly handcrafted by multigenerational Master Distillers Enrique Fonseca and Sergio Mendoza with fully mature, estate-grown agave, Cierto's exquisite taste and authenticity remain unmatched. With these new honors, Cierto has won one thousand one hundred ten (1,110) international medals and awards. About Cierto Tequila and Elevated Spirits Company The Elevated Spirits Company is the producer of Cierto Tequila – authentic, 100% natural, additive-free, luxury tequila made in Jalisco, Mexico. Cierto means 'True,' the perfect word to describe this remarkable award-winning family of tequilas – patiently crafted expressions of pure Highlands agave, harvested by fourth and fifth generation agaveros at peak maturity. The Elevated Spirits portfolio includes the Cierto Private Collection Blanco, Reposado, Añejo and Extra Añejo, as well as the Cierto Reserve Collection Blanco, Reposado, Añejo and Extra Añejo. Due to their character, complexity and luxuriously smooth taste, these eight agave expressions are widely acknowledged by tequila connoisseurs as 'The World's Finest Tequila' and some of the best tequilas ever made. Cierto recently became the first tequila brand to surpass 1,100 international medals and awards, making it 'The Most Awarded Tequila in History.' Learn more at For press or other inquiries, please contact press@ About L.A. Spirits Awards (LASA) L.A. Spirits Awards was conceived in 2019 by Nicolette Teo and Joel Blum, veterans of the competition business, who realized the need for a new competition paradigm – one that judges spirits quality from the perspective of a new, fresh and diverse generation of experts that reflects the look of the contemporary spirits industry.
