The growth of tequila has inspired many to learn more about the treasured spirit of Mexico and left others with several questions.
"From the moment we broke ground on our flagship brand - through this month's launch of our newest premium spirit: CRUZ Silver, we have turned to the experts for feedback," states Joseph Pep Katcher, President of CRUZ Tequila.
Below are frequently asked questions with insight from experts for those that are curious:
How Much Should You Pay For Tequila? "We have found that the best tequila is not always the most expensive or the biggest name", adds Reed Johnson, Director of Operations Macayo's Mexican Kitchen. "From a business point of view, we see tequilas made from 100% blue agave have a wide appeal with a smoother finish that is easy on the pallet. Instead of making you wince, they have subtle hints of vanilla and a floral aroma that our guests enjoy."
Has Tequila Grown In Popularity? "Republic has watched the smoother tequilas transition from a summer favorite to high volume spirits in demand throughout the year," remarks Dan Nass, Vice President, Marketing Republic National Distributing Company's Arizona Market. "With selections of 100% agave tequila continuing to rise, we could be ringing in the holidays with a perfect margarita."
Which Tequila Is Best For Recipes? "Cooking with tequila is no different than cooking with wine - you want to cook with something you would want to drink," explains Gwen Ashley Walters, professional chef, author, and food columnist. "For me and my fellow chefs that means premium tequila. The ultimate taste of a dish depends upon quality ingredients and 100% blue agave tequila is the best - for cooking and drinking."
What Types Of Tequila Are Available And How Can You Tell Them Apart? "We believe it is important to educate our staff and others about all aspects of tequila - including how it is created," adds Todd Nelson, Vice President of CRUZ Tequila. "Our recent product expansion into Texas is a good example of how we invest in our staff. Before a member of CRUZ Tequila met with any of our Austin or Dallas retail and on-premise clients, they completed a comprehensive training course which starts at the beginning and by understanding that the Mexican government officially recognizes several types of tequila and the most popular are: Oro (a.k.a., Gold), Blanco (a.k.a., Silver), Reposado, plus Añejo."
Four official types of tequila defined for those that want to learn more:
No. 1 Oro (a.k.a., Gold) Basic, inexpensive tequila used for margaritas and bar mix. Minimum requirement of 51 percent or more Blue Agave but not 100%
No. 2 Blanco (a.k.a., Silver) 100 percent blue agave tequila that is either un-aged, or aged less than 2 months
No. 3 Reposado - Meaning rested, is tequila that has been aged in large oak
barrels between two and twelve months. Usually made from 100 percent blue agave
No. 4 Añejo - meaning aged, in this case for a minimum of one year in small oak barrels.
Made from 100 percent blue agave
About CRUZ Tequila
CRUZ del Sol Tequila is the award-winning, flagship brand of Los Diablos International which is headquartered in Scottsdale Arizona. The recognized principals of the company have a combined 53 years of global business experience that is focused on redefining the ultra premium tequila market. As part of their commitment to give back to their community, CRUZ was proud to be a part of the Emerging Business Program for the Super Bowl XLII host committee. Globally, the company proudly donates seven percent of its profits to various national and international charities and strongly supports sustainability by using only eco-friendly recycled materials in its product packaging.
To learn more about CRUZ Tequila, their national launch, and quest to redefine the ultra premium tequila market with their innovative spirit, please visit their website: http://www.cruztequila.com
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Todd Nelson, Vice President
CRUZ Tequila
V: 480.458.7487
Website: http://www.cruztequila.com
Kelly A. Isley, Partner
Corcoran Associates
Business Advisors & Public Relations
V: 480.814.7471
Website: http://www.corcoranassoc.biz
Jeffrey Dale Starr is a tequila enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.
