Patrón tequila bottle features bee in pewter

Patrón Spirits is introducing a special edition 1-litre Patrón Silver tequila bottle into the global travel retail market at 2016 IAADFS Duty Free Show of  the Americas, which gets underway today in Orlando.

Patrón Spirits had previously announced that starting this year, 750ml and 700ml core Patrón tequila and liqueur bottles will be discontinued in global travel retail, and instead will only be available in 1-liter size bottles.

To help generate awareness and excitement about this new larger size bottle, Patrón is also introducing a limited-edition 1-liter bottle in travel retail, which will be presented at the Patrón stand at the show. This exclusive collectors’ edition bottle is adorned with an intricate design of the iconic Patrón tequila bee, rendered in pure pewter and hand applied. The bottle is then finished with a distinctive glass stopper.

Inside this unique new bottle, every drop of ultra-premium Patrón Silver tequila is handcrafted in small batches from the highest quality 100 percent Weber Blue Agave, distilled and bottled at the Hacienda Patrón distillery in the Highlands of Jalisco, Mexico, to be smooth, soft and easily mixable. Its taste is sweet, with fresh agave and citrus, and a light pepper finish.

“Only in duty free will people find our core line of Patrón tequilas and liqueurs in 1-litre size bottles, and we’re enthusiastic to begin that transition from our standard domestic 750ml and 700ml bottles. This special edition, extremely eye-catching bottle – which marks the first time that we’ve so strikingly re-imagined our Patrón label – is the perfect way to introduce and excite travel retail customers about the new larger size Patrón bottle that they’ll now find when shopping for our tequilas and liqueurs in duty free,” said John Kilmartin, VP, GTR at Patrón Spirits International.

The change to 1-litre applies to all three Patrón tequilas (Silver, Reposado, and Añejo) and all three Patrón XO Cafe liqueurs (XO Cafe, XO Cafe Dark Cocoa, and XO Cafe Incendio.) The Patrón Citrónge line of liqueurs will also continue to be available in 1-litre size bottles.

The new 1-litre bottles will be showcased at the Patrón stand at the 2016 IAADFS Duty Free Show of the Americas in Orlando (April 3-6), along with another duty free exclusives – Patrón Extra Añejo 5 Años. This rare and extremely limited edition extra añejo tequila (less than 500 were produced) is available only in global duty-free. Patrón Extra Añejo 5 Años is made from 100% Weber Blue Agave, which has been baked in brick ovens for about three days. The agave is then crushed, fermented and distilled using the time honoured ‘tahona’ process, together with the more modern roller mill method. But it was in the aging room at the Hacienda Patrón distillery in Mexico where this spirit began to truly distinguish itself. The tequila was placed in hybrid new American/limousin oak medium toasted barrels, and used whiskey barrels, for five years. The result is a tequila notably light in colour for its aging, yet exhibiting intense aroma and complex flavours that can only come from something so rare.

In addition to the Orlando debut of the new 1-liter bottle, and Patrón Extra Añejo 5 Años, the brand is also highlighting its growing line of collector’s tin packages, celebrating key markets and occasions such as Chinese New Year.

Patrón also continues to focus attention on the new Roca Patrón line of artisanal tequilas, which have gained tremendous traction in global duty free. The entire portfolio of ultra-premium Patrón tequilas and liqueurs are featured at the Patrón stand (Booth 531).

4 April 2016 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Report, editor