Each year, Clase Azul México – the acclaimed luxury Mexican house known for its exemplary spirits and hospitality offering – releases an exclusive limited-edition bottle to commemorate Día de Muertos, the Day of the Dead. As the fourth installment of the five-year Nuestros Recuerdos collection, Clase Azul Tequila Día de Muertos Limited Edition Música is the penultimate release in the series.
The Clase Azul Música release is exceptionally limited to only 10,000 decanters, which will be available from October 20th and priced at $1,500. So far, each installment of the collection has celebrated a specific aspect of the Day of the Dead festivities, with Música being no different. This release focuses on the enchanting rhythms and music that embody the holiday.
For the uninitiated, Día de Muertos is an iconic annual celebration in Mexico during the first two days of November. Here, Mexicans celebrate the lives of deceased loved ones as the streets are filled with the incredible sounds, smells, flavors and colors that Mexican holidays are renowned for.
Since its inception, the goal of Clase Azul Mexico has been to celebrate the incredible culture of Mexico while also highlighting the talent of its artisans. No cultural moment encapsulates Mexico’s impressive variety more than Día de Muertos, which is why this limited edition collection has been such a success for Clase Azul.
Additionally, to commemorate both Día de Muertos and the release of this limited edition tequila, Clase Azul México has partnered with One & Only Mandarina for an exclusive Día de Muertos dinner. There will also be several bottles of Música on sale for guests at One & Only Mandarina, as well as a brand new. Clase Azul cocktail menu.
[See also: Clase Azul Tequila Loft Brooklyn Collection Pays Homage to NYC]
The tequila
While each limited edition Clase Azul Mexico decanter is a highly collectible piece that owners keep long after the tequila has been finished, the tequila inside is also truly special. For the añejo tequila stored inside Clase Azul Tequila Día de Muertos Limited Edition Música, Clase Azul master distiller Viridiana Tinoco utilized a 26-month aging process.
Beginning in American whisky casks, the tequila was then separated in half, with one half finished in Scotch whisky casks from the Isle of Skye, while the others finished in casks from the Speyside region of Scotland. Once the aging process was complete, both halves were recombined to create the final tequila.
“For this edition, I wanted to reinterpret music into sensorial chords to evoke nostalgia, since during Día de Muertos we remember the great moments shared with our loved ones,” said Tinoco. “Seeking to achieve a harmony of notes with different nuances through the casks, for one part I included smoky notes which are reminders of candles and incense of this festivity and, for the other, sweet notes suggestive of the delicacies placed on ofrendas.”
The use of this unique process has resulted in a tequila that brings aromas of honey, peat smoke, nutmeg and dried plum, while the palate is graced by peat smoke, honey, cinnamon and just a hint of chocolate, which is amplified by a smoky finish.
[See also: Inside Clase Azul México’s Exclusive Los Cabos Boutiques]
The decanter
Upon gazing at the Clase Azul Tequila Día de Muertos Limited Edition Música decanter, eyes are quickly drawn to its vibrant yet tranquil plum color, evoking the sounds and cadence of Día de Muertos. Mexican illustrator David Espinosa, who is also known as ‘el Dee’, has created a scene of a musical ensemble in lilac and gold, which is presented on the back of the decanter base.
The front of the base is adorned with a 24-karat gold-plated ornament which depicts a cheerful Catrina accordionist. Together these two artworks convey the vibrant and eclectic sounds and atmosphere that have become so synonymous with Día de Muertos.
Designed by the creative team at Clase Azul México and handmade in Tesistán at the artisan workshop Milagros de Latón, this decanter is a highly ornamental piece that takes over a week to create.
Clase Azul Tequila Día de Muertos Limited Edition Música is available in one-liter bottles at 40% ABV (80 proof) and priced at $1,500.
To purchase Clase Azul Tequila Día de Muertos Limited Edition Música vist claseazul.com
[See also: A Clase Azul Gift for True Tequila Connoisseurs]