Latest news with #Tequila
San Francisco Chronicle
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Carín León battles through vocal struggles to close La Onda festival
It may sound harsh to call Carín León's headlining set at La Onda a disappointment, but if you asked the singer from Sonora, he might nod in agreement. León took the main stage Sunday, June 1, with visible strain and an ailing voice, powering through a closing set that capped the second edition of Wine Country's Latin-focused festival with more grit than glory. His delivery — hoarse, limited, at times painfully distant from his signature resonance — was far from the vocal force that has propelled him into the upper tiers of Latin music stardom. Still, he pressed on. 'There is no fire in my voice,' he admitted to the crowd, 'but I'm going to put heart into it.' That became the mantra of the night. What followed was near- 80 minutes of raw effort and improvised remedies: a red elixir (Chloraseptic throat spray? Tequila?), a banana between songs, apologies to the tens of thousands gathered in front of the La Onda stage. Ever the professional, León never walked off stage (albeit ending his set five minutes early) but he couldn't rise to the performance either. The crowd — warm, forgiving and singing along — carried the set as much as he did. There were highlights. His rendition of 'Tennessee Whiskey,' a nod to the crossover appeal that made him the only artist to perform at both BottleRock Napa Valley and La Onda this year, earned a swell of cheers. But the cover and most of his offerings on Sunday felt more like a reminder of what wasn't working rather than what was. La Onda's organizers had bet heavily on León. Already a banner booking for BottleRock the weekend before, he was elevated to headline La Onda on Sunday after Grupo Firme abruptly canceled after being denied entry into the United States. Tito Doble P, the rising star of corridos tumbados, was shifted to the Verizon Stage and León moved to the main stage to anchor the night. But despite his high energy and momentum, the field in front of him never quite filled. The gravity was with León, and so was the weight. That's what lingered. Not the missed notes or the rasping falsetto attempts, but the sheer will of an artist who refused to bail. 'No me voy a rajar,' he said multiple times. León didn't deliver a masterclass in vocal performance, but he delivered something human. Some nights, the voice doesn't show up; Sunday was one of them. But the heart did — and for that, Carín León still earned his moment under La Onda's closing lights.
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
26-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘For the fallen': Veterans, community members march in McKinley Park Memorial Day parade
David Vojvodich served two tours in Vietnam, and on Memorial Day, he remembers those who didn't come back. Vojvodich, a 76-year-old lifelong resident of the Canaryville neighborhood on Chicago's South Side, prefers not to talk about his service during the two-decade long conflict. But Monday's holiday is sacred for him, and a time to reflect. 'There are people I left in Vietnam that I lost,' he said. On Monday morning, Vojvodich sat at a table outside of the William McKinley American Legion Post 231 as the McKinley Park Memorial Day parade got ready to kick off. Groups of veterans mixed with community members as they prepared to make a nearly two-mile loop through the Southwest Side neighborhood. On a day that was sunny and clear but on the cool side while people lined the streets in light jackets, waving small American flags. Vojvodich sat with fellow veteran Ernie Prohaska as the smell of hotdogs wafted over the crowd. 'Veterans Day is for us,' said Prohaska, who is the Post 231 chaplain and a Navy veteran. 'Memorial Day is for the fallen.' Shortly after 10 a.m., the parade got rolling with motorcycles leading the pack. Floats for local politicians, including 12th Ward Ald. Julia Ramirez and state Rep. Theresa Mah, passed by as marching bands from local schools regaled the parade-goers with music. Two-year-old Aiden Beltran laughed from his stroller and pointed at firetrucks, which moved through the streets with sirens blaring. 'He loves the firetrucks,' his mother, Stephanie Beltran, said. Monday was Aiden's first parade, and he watched from a street corner with his mother and grandmother. 'A lot of our family is police or military, so we come out to support,' Beltran said. As a marching band passed, the high schools students played 'Tequila' by the The Champs, pausing their instruments to shout the namesake lyric. After beginning at the local public library, the parade was set to loop back at the American Legion post for some food and a ceremony. Ed Kearney, the 76-year-old sergeant-at-arms at the post, remembers the fear of being drafted during the Vietnam War when he was in his late teens. All five of the boys in his family ended up serving, he said. 'There was nothing you could do,' he said. 'I wasn't going to college.' Kearney ended up stationed at Fort Bragg, a base in North Carolina. Now, for the holiday he gathers with his fellow veterans to pay tribute to the fallen troops. 'We honor the ones that didn't come back,' he said.
Chicago Tribune
26-05-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
‘For the fallen': Veterans, community members march in McKinley Park Memorial Day parade
David Vojvodich served two tours in Vietnam, and on Memorial Day, he remembers those who didn't come back. Vojvodich, a 76-year-old lifelong resident of the Canaryville neighborhood on Chicago's South Side, prefers not to talk about his service during the two-decade long conflict. But Monday's holiday is sacred for him, and a time to reflect. 'There are people I left in Vietnam that I lost,' he said. On Monday morning, Vojvodich sat at a table outside of the William McKinley American Legion Post 231 as the McKinley Park Memorial Day parade got ready to kick off. Groups of veterans mixed with community members as they prepared to make a nearly two-mile loop through the Southwest Side neighborhood. On a day that was sunny and clear but on the cool side while people lined the streets in light jackets, waving small American flags. Vojvodich sat with fellow veteran Ernie Prohaska as the smell of hotdogs wafted over the crowd. 'Veterans Day is for us,' said Prohaska, who is the Post 231 chaplain and a Navy veteran. 'Memorial Day is for the fallen.' Shortly after 10 a.m., the parade got rolling with motorcycles leading the pack. Floats for local politicians, including 12th Ward Ald. Julia Ramirez and state Rep. Theresa Mah, passed by as marching bands from local schools regaled the parade-goers with music. Two-year-old Aiden Beltran laughed from his stroller and pointed at firetrucks, which moved through the streets with sirens blaring. 'He loves the firetrucks,' his mother, Stephanie Beltran, said. Monday was Aiden's first parade, and he watched from a street corner with his mother and grandmother. 'A lot of our family is police or military, so we come out to support,' Beltran said. As a marching band passed, the high schools students played 'Tequila' by the The Champs, pausing their instruments to shout the namesake lyric. After beginning at the local public library, the parade was set to loop back at the American Legion post for some food and a ceremony. Ed Kearney, the 76-year-old sergeant-at-arms at the post, remembers the fear of being drafted during the Vietnam War when he was in his late teens. All five of the boys in his family ended up serving, he said. 'There was nothing you could do,' he said. 'I wasn't going to college.' Kearney ended up stationed at Fort Bragg, a base in North Carolina. Now, for the holiday he gathers with his fellow veterans to pay tribute to the fallen troops. 'We honor the ones that didn't come back,' he said.
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.
