Each year on July 24, the world celebrates the internationally recognized National Tequila Day. One of the most beloved spirits across the globe, tequila is rooted in Mexico and is named after the town of Santiago de Tequila, located in the state of Jalisco. Mexican law states that tequila can only be produced five Mexican states, Jalisco is the most prominent with more than 300 million agave plants harvested there each year.
As a truly fabled spirit, there are countless tequila brands to choose from, however, some are a cut above the rest. Clase Azul México — the Mexican-owned and operated luxury house — creates some of the finest tequilas available. Acclaimed for both its impressive hand-crafted decanters, which customers regularly keep long after the tequila is finished, in addition to the premium liquid inside.
For those looking to celebrate National Tequila Day in style, Clase Azul México is an esteemed choice. Its impressive range of icons, all of which sit within the premium sector, pay homage to the artisans, craftsmen and farmers who help make Mexico the cultural bastion it is today.
But which one to choose? Here is a selection of decanters that feature in Clase Azul México’s Icons range, from premium liquid that is delicious as part of a cocktail, to truly luxurious options that should only be enjoyed neat.
Clase Azul Tequila Plata
Clase Azul Tequila Plata is the base of all Clase Azul tequilas. This is an unaged tequila, that allows those who taste it to experience the deep, rich and complex flavors provided by the agave plant. Essentially a glass of Clase Azul Tequila Plata is Clase Azul tequila distilled and served in its purest form.
Like all Clase Azul tequilas, Plata is made entirely from blue agave that is grown in Los Altos de Jalisco, an area which thanks to special conditions helps to give this spirit a light but distinctive flavor. Once harvested, the agave is gently cooked for 72 hours in traditional masonry-lined ovens.
The end result is a wondrously clear tequila with a light to medium body. The flavor is exceptionally fresh, with an aroma of herbs, orange peel and lemon. The palate brings cooked agave and green apple with a citrusy finish.
Honoring the pure nature of this tequila, Plata comes in an ornamental transparent glass decanter, allowing the clear liquid to be viewed in all its glory. For those looking for a light fresh tequila this National Tequila Day, that allows them to experience the full extent of the agave plant, Plata could be an excellent choice.
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Clase Azul Tequila Reposado
It’s impossible to talk about Clase Azul without mentioning Reposado, a signature offering from the luxury brand. You will have seen it behind the bar at some of your favorite spots and for good reason; this one is an absolute classic.
The decanter itself is a true statement, its white and blue coloring is instantly recognizable. These decanters are crafted by Mexican artisans by hand in a process that takes seven days to complete.
Made entirely from blue agave, the Reposado is aged for eight months in American oak bourbon casks. The end result is a pale gold liquid that carries an aroma of cooked agave, candied orange peel, toasted wood and vanilla.
The palate is graced by toasted hazelnut and agave nectar with the addition of bittersweet chocolate and cinnamon.
A delightful choice for those looking to keep it classic National Tequila Day, Clase Azul Tequila Reposado is the definitive tequila, unmistakable in both taste and looks. This is the one that started it all for Clase Azul and it remains a must-have for any home bar collection.
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Clase Azul Tequila Gold
Aside from the incredible tequila and delicious food, one of the most beautiful things that Mexico has to offer is its sunsets, which are the stuff of legend. Clase Azul Tequila Gold was created to pay homage to these beautiful displays and is the ideal serve to enjoy during those last moments of the day.
A joven tequila, Clase Azul Gold is a blend of Clase Azul Tequila Plata, and two other tequilas, a special reposado tequila that is matured in French oak casks, in addition to an extra añejo that’s finished in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks. The result is a delicious tequila that’s well worthy of a Mexican sunset.
Presenting itself with a golden color, Gold brings an aroma of toasted wood, orange peel and almond, with a touch of fresh fig and walnut. On the palate, it brings notes of marmalade, cooked agave and an impressively long finish of cacao and dried plum.
In true Clase Azul fashion, this decanter goes the extra mile. Depicting the sunset, the glass transitions beautifully darkening as it reaches the top of the decanter. This glass is attached to an opaque ceramic base, a technique Clase Azul spent six years developing. This ceramic base is also emblazoned with 24-karat gold ribbons which have been painted by hand.
If you’re planning on celebrating National Tequila Day somewhere with a great view to watch the sunset, Clase Azul Tequila Gold would be the perfect choice.
[See also: A Clase Azul Gift for True Tequila Connoisseurs]
Clase Azul Tequila Añejo
Perhaps one of the leading tributes to Clase Azul’s expert craft is its Tequila Añejo which harnesses the mentality of good things come to those who wait. This exceptional tequila takes years to create and the end result certainly shows it.
Aged for 25 months in American bourbon casks, the result is a liquid that’s has a deep copper color with golden highlights. This extensive time aging ensures the tequila has a full body, with an oaky aroma, alongside hints of orange marmalade, toasted hazelnut and cardamom. On the palate, there is orange peel, nutmeg, cinnamon and black pepper.
A perfectly aged tequila deserves a decanter that’s just as decadent and Tequila Añejo doesn’t disappoint. Telling the story of the journey from agave to tequila, the base of this decanter features spirals atop its raw clay, symbolizing the earth’s fertility. Blue accents denote the water that gives life to agave, while the agave plant — the core of all tequila — is displayed. Finally, the decanter is finished with the brand’s classic feathered brushstrokes in 24-karat gold. A true testament to this well-aged liquid.
If you’re looking for a tequila that embodies the time-earned flavors of a well-aged tequila, Clase Azul Tequila Añejo would make a superior choice.
[See also: Clase Azul México Unveils New Mezcal]
Clase Azul Tequila Ultra
A true maestro of the tequila world, Clase Azul Tequila Ultra contains some of the finest liquid this Mexican luxury brand has produced. As the most time-intensive tequila in the lineup, Clase Azul Tequila Ultra is certainly one for the connoisseurs.
From start to finish, it’s a process that takes almost 11 years, making this tequila a particularly special one. An extra añejo tequila, Ultra is aged across a period of five years, first in bourbon casks before being separated and placed into amontillado, oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks, before then being recombined.
The result is a tequila that presents itself with shades of brown and copper highlights. It has an impressively full body, bringing an aroma of sherry, dried plum, raisin, brown sugar and clove.
The palate is equally strong with cinnamon, cacao and hints of tobacco. The wonderfully long finish is then accentuated by dried plum and caramelized walnut.
As the longest-aged tequila offered by Clase Azul México the decanter is equally luxurious. Decorated with platinum, silver and 24-karat gold, the classic Clase Azul feathered motif can be seen across the decanter in platinum. This detail is only visible once the decanter has been fired, making the painting process exceptionally challenging, because of this only one in ten of the Clase Azul artisans possesses the skill required to finish a Clase Azul Ultra decanter.
The ultimate serve for those looking to enjoy the finest tequila on National Tequila Day, Clase Azul Tequila Ultra represents the absolute best of the best.
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