The new El Luchador Tequila Collection, created by tequilero David Ravandi, founder of 123 Organic Tequila, is a distinctive artisanal collection of tequila expressions that certainly packs a punch.
It pays homage to and is inspired by the lucha libre; wrestlers known for their colorful masks and rapid acrobatic techniques in Mexican culture. The original amalgamation of Mexico’s two most valued cultural institutions, blue-agave tequila and lucha libre, was generated in 2013 when Ravandi first introduced El Luchador Overproof Organic Blanco Tequila. It will be replaced by the new collection comprised of Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, and Distill-Proof tequilas.
El Luchador Tequilas are made from the blue agave that thrives in the iron-rich volcanic soils of the highlands of Los Altos de Jalisco. It is grown at a very high altitude of 6,500 feet, which directly affects the flavors present in the tequila.
“Agave grown at this altitude is stressed and constantly seeking water. The more fibrous it becomes, the more concentrated the flavors in our tequila will be,” says Ravandi.
It is here where El Luchador Tequilas are distilled using artisanal methods and produced and packaged in a way that treads lightly on the environment.
Ravandi was one of the first tequileros to adopt and perfect the innovative process of aging in French oak barrels rather than bourbon barrels in the late ‘90s. The Reposado and Añejo expressions rest in such barrels that previously held the wines of Puligny Montrachet.
Get to know the tasting notes of the collection here:
El Luchador Blanco Tequila (40% ABV) is favored as the foundation for creating cocktails by mixologists. With notes of fresh agave and citrus combined with a saline finish, it can also be enjoyed as a fine sipping tequila.
El Luchador Reposado Tequila (40% ABV) spends four to six months in the French white-oak barrels and is as complex as it is refined. The prominent notes for this expression are roasted agave, bright citrus, and vanilla, with white pepper through the finish.
El Luchador Añejo Tequila (40% ABV) guarantees to bequeath increasing layers of complexity, with notes of deeply roasted agave, caramelized citrus, and dark vanilla. The Añejo expression will arrive in the U.S. in late 2022, and an Extra Añejo is an anticipated addition by 2025.
El Luchador Distill-Proof Blanco Tequila (55% ABV) boasts a robust and intricate profile with notes of fresh agave and bright citrus, and a smoky, saline finish. It is best suited as the base for cocktails or to enjoy as a digestif.
The post Tequilero David Ravandi Pays Homage to Lucha Libre appeared first on Chilled Magazine.
Source: Mixology News
