El Tesoro 80th Anniversary Edition released

Beam Suntory has celebrated the 80th anniversary of the La Alteña Distillery in Jalisco by releasing El Tesoro 80th Anniversary Limited Edition.

Aged eight years and with only eight casks in existence, the US will be the only market to receive the bottling.

The 80th Anniversary Edition begins with the same time-honoured techniques before spending eight years aging in American oak ex-Bourbon barrels, making this one of the most aged expressions that El Tesoro has released.

Carlos Camarena, master distiller for El Tesoro says: “In truth, my grandfather created a very inefficient process for making tequila. Yet it is these unique and stubborn production methods that make our tequila so special, and perhaps the most authentic. Eighty years later, we don’t care that there are faster ways to make tequila now. We care about the flavor, and the fact of the matter is that our method tastes better and is the best way to honor the agave.”

For the 80th Anniversary Edition, the liquid extracted fron the piñas is distilled to 85 proof at a low temperature in copper stills.

El Tesoro is usually distilled to 80 proof. Since the liquid for the 80th Anniversary LTO would be aged for eight years, this liquid was distilled to 85 proof. The final result is 83 proof due to evaporation.

Camarena says: “The 80th Anniversary Edition is the perfect tribute not only to our precious agave, but also to my grandfather. With it, we continue to push the boundaries of what it means to make excellent tequila, without sacrificing our traditional methods and beliefs. It is a spirit that I know Don Felipe would be proud to put his name on.”

As of October 2017, El Tesoro 80th Anniversary Edition will be available only in the US with a RRP of $199.99 (750ml).

23 October 2017 - Sam Coyne The Drinks Report, news editor