Patrón adds Gran Patrón Smoky to portfolio

Patrón Tequila has expanded its portfolio with the launch of Gran Patrón Smoky.

The new release uses agave that is roasted with mesquite for seven days in small underground pits.

Gran Patrón Smoky is the result of traditional production methods dating back hundreds of years. The process for Gran Patrón Smoky begins with 100 per cent Weber Blue Agave.

To create the smoky aroma and taste, the heart of the agave plant, the piña, is roasted in underground stone pits at the Patrón Hacienda Distillery in the Highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. The cooked agave is then crushed with a volcanic stone tahona wheel before the juice and agave fibers are placed together in pine wood fermenters and then distilled in small-capacity copper pot stills.

Lee Applbaum, global chief marketing officer at Patrón Tequila says: "At Patrón, from the beginning, we have always been dedicated to preserving traditional tequila-making techniques. With Gran Patrón Smoky we've taken that commitment one step further by exploring the ancient method of roasting the agaves in small, underground stone pits, resulting in a balanced yet complex smoky flavour."

Bottled at 50.5% ABV, Gran Patrón Smoky will be available in limited supply in select U.S. markets starting in September 2018, with broader expansion planned for 2019. Gran Patrón Smoky is an ultra-premium tequila, packaged in an elegant 750ml tall bottle. In a nod to the roasting process, the bottle is topped with an elegant wood stopper and Portuguese cork closure, said to symbolise the materials used in cooking of the agave, and is adorned with 'smoke' climbing the front label.

RRP is $199.

11 September 2018 - Sam Coyne The Drinks Report, news editor