Joined in 2023 
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The brainchild of Scottish chef, whisky lover and bona fide wood expert Michael Ballantyne, Storywood Tequila takes Mexico’s national spirit and treats it to a full maturation in former Speyside Scotch whisky barrels. Here, Ballantyne shares the story behind his creative Tequila range and describes the magic that happens when Speyside meets San Miguel… Garnish with the orange peel twist and a couple of cherries. If you like drizzle in some of the cherry syrup for a dramatic effect
He started spending a lot more time over in Mexico, visiting his mum who lives in San Miguel de Allende. Disenchanted with working in the oil and gas industry, Ballantyne resolved to open a whisky bar in San Miguel, and set about planning the venue. His research led him to La Cofradia distillery in Jalisco, which has been producing and bottling Tequila for more than 50 years. There, he met master distiller Luis Trejo. When Patrón announced plans to discontinue its coffee tequila, the news was followed by an outcry from fans: testament to the style’s popularity. Blending its Blanco tequila with luxury arabica coffee from the coastal region of Soconusco in Mexico, Cazcabel Coffee has a rich sweet taste, with roasted coffee joined by chocolate, vanilla and pronounced agave notes, while the finish is smooth and dry with plenty of rich coffee. It also works as an excellent espresso martini base, with no need for added sugar syrup.Best Tequilas to drink in 2023 - For whiskey drinkers 'For those partial to a single malt, the Storywood range is matured in ex-Scotch whisky barrels for 14 months — in this case one from the Speyside region. The oak influence is elegant, with just a light smokiness, bags of pepper and a honeyed sweetness from hints of pineapple and coconut.' For spirit drinkers, the Storywood range is a true masterclass in combining expertise across continents to create something that feels new and familiar at the same time. And most importantly, it tastes delicious. Named after the spirit’s birthplace, El Tequileño has been producing tequila for over 60 years. Since its launch in 1959, sustainability has also been at the heart of El Tequileño, constantly adapting to optimise their process and positively impact local conservation efforts. Having rested in American Oak barrels for three months, the brand’s Reposado tequila is made using agave cooked in steam pressure autoclaves. The full agave flavour is complemented by further hints of vanilla, oak and a dry finish. Best sipped neat or enjoyed in a margarita.
The Lowdown: Cazcabel Tequila is a range of authentic, high-quality tequilas made in Mexico using only natural ingredients and blue weber agave, grown for around seven years before harvesting. Available at an affordable price, there are five expressions in the range; Blanco, Reposado, Coffee, Coconut and the world’s first Honey tequila. Designed to “change the perceptions of tequila”, VIVIR is produced at an award-winning, family-owned distillery in Jalisco, Mexico, selected for its sustainable practices and traditional processes. Using agave cooked for three-to-four days in a clay oven, the VIVIR Tequila Añejo has some subtle smokiness alongside deep flavour imparted from the barrel in which it’s aged for 18 months. Toasted agave flavours are complete with marzipan, honey, habanero chilli, coffee, vanilla, and a whisper of cinnamon, while the finish is smooth with a creamy mouthfeel.The Lowdown: Storywood is a tequila with the heart of Mexico and the soul of Scotland. 100% agave liquid is expertly aged in single malt whisky casks from Speyside, creating the world’s first sipping tequilas. Jeremy Hill, Managing Director of Proof Drinks and part-owner of the brand says: “I thoroughly enjoy working with people and brands to transform the fortunes of drinks businesses and love working with visionaries. I thought Michael’s concept of ageing Storywood Tequila in Speyside oak casks was innovative and I wanted to become involved with its journey.” That Storywood’s journey is ultimately a team effort is reflected in the name, says Ballantyne. “Every barrel has a story to tell, and it has this crazy journey before they even get to us,” he says. “The barrels are American oak, so they’re crafted in America and filled with bourbon. Then those barrels are sent to Scotland, where they’re used for whisky. By the time we get them, they’re second fill barrels – then we fly them to tequila. It’s almost like you’re getting a slice of three different spirits in one bottle: bourbon, single malt and Tequila.” The Storywood Tequila Range
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