Olmeca Altos launched to world’s bartenders

Olmeca Tequila’s new premium 100% blue agave tequila, called Olmeca Altos after ‘Los Altos’, the Mexican highlands, will be available in both ‘Plata’ (silver) and ‘Reposado’ (aged) styles when it is introduced into the on-trade later this year. 

Olmeca Altos has been created through a collaboration between Jesus Hernandez, master distiller at Olmeca Tequilas and Henry Besant and Dre Masso of the Worldwide Cocktail Club, a specialist on-trade drinks consultancy. Henry and Dre have travelled to Mexico many times over the past three years to consult on the creation of the product, using their knowledge of the premium tequila market established through the pair’s ownership of London tequila bar and restaurant Green & Red.

“For years we have been looking for a premium tequila that over-delivers on taste, without being priced out of the reach of ever-day consumers, that also offers good value opportunities for the on-trade”, said Henry Besant, managing director at the Worldwide Cocktail Club.  “Thanks to Olmeca we have had a unique opportunity to go and do what no British barman has ever done before, to travel to Jalisco and work with Jesus and his team to create a brand new tequila. It’s been an unforgettable experience and we’re looking forward to getting out into the trade and letting people enjoy what we believe is one of the best tequilas in the market today, both for mixing in classic Mexican cocktails or drinking neat over ice.”

Jesus Hernandez, master distiller at Olmeca Tequila said: ‘The experience of working together to combine our distilling heritage and expertise with Henry’s team’s bartending knowledge has resulted in a product that is authentically hand-crafted and Mexican, but will also hold a strong appeal to the international consumer. We believe that when people taste Olmeca Altos they will appreciate the craftsmanship that has gone into its creation – for example, we only use mature blue agave plants for a more refined flavour and we have retained the traditional tahona method of crushing the agave when roasted for a true depth of flavour.’

The new tequila was launched to key stakeholders and influencers at London’s Paramount members club, on the top floor of Centre Point Tower, to echo the highlands where Olmeca Altos is produced. Guests enjoyed Olmeca Altos cocktails, music from Paloma Faith and art from renowned Mexican photographer Ilan Rabchinsky. 

• Following the launch last October into the UK, Russian and Duty Free markets, Olmeca Altos is now available in Greece, Ukraine, Turkey, South Africa, and Colombia.

1 November 2009 - Felicity Murray