Atlanta Artists Win Herradura Tequila Barrel Art Collection Competition

After a nationwide contest to find the most artistic and inspiring barrel art creation from 80 uniquely handcrafted pieces of art, Tequila Herradura awarded a $100,000 cash prize to Micah and Whitney Stansell from Atlanta. The brand partnered with Thrillist to host the "Barrel Art Collection" competition finale, at LMNT in Miami on Wednesday, December 4. Micah and Whitney Stansell were among eight regional winners who already took home $10,000 for creating one-of-a-kind artworks using Tequila Herradura's oak barrels; these finalists included:

• NY: Kim Holleman
• Atlanta: Micah and Whitney Stansell
• Austin: Raul De Lara
• Chicago: Adam Toht
• Santa Fe: Max Lehman
• San Francisco: Adam Feibelman
• Miami: Kiki Valdes
• Los Angeles: Jocelyn Duke

The event, which was attended by artists, media and influencers, benefitted Creative Capital, a renowned arts organization, dedicated to supporting innovative and adventurous artists nationwide. The organization will receive $70,000 donation from Tequila Herradura, to support its Professional Development Program workshops.

The idea for Micah & Whitney Stansell's piece titled "Look Inside, 2013" came after they spent time with the barrel and therefore, started thinking about the barrel as a utilitarian object rather than an aesthetic object. Then they struck upon the idea to create the work on the inside of the barrel and keep the outside unchanged with a marquee sign including a simple call to action: "look inside". The art drew parallels – aesthetic and historic with the art of making tequila. Part of their work was to pay homage to early cinema with a zoetrope, and serendipitously they were able to reference Herradura elements such as the agave and the horseshoe.

"It's hard to overstate what one hundred thousand dollars means to a working artist. More than anything it carries with it a feeling of freedom; the sense that we are free to continue making art on our own terms," said Micah and Whitney Stansell. "For Herradura to stand up and say 'we think that art and artists are important and we're going to put a significant and substantial amount of money behind that belief' is incredibly encouraging and truly vital. We are humbled and honored to have been awarded this prize from among this incredibly talented group of artists."

In each city, art critics, gallery owners and editors served on the judging panels to select the "Critic's Choice" winners to compete in the grand finale event. Art fans also had the opportunity to vote for their favorites online to crown the "Fan Choice Award" winner in each city, all of whom will be guaranteed a spot in a Creative Capital professional development workshop. "Fan Choice Award" winners included:

• NY: Cosme Herrera
• Atlanta: Kesha
• Austin: Jim Mossman
• Chicago: Dolan Geiman
• Santa Fe: Sam Orlandi
• San Francisco: Emma Webster
• Miami: Cynosure
• Los Angeles: Nina Long

All works of art were judged based on originality, creativity, overall quality and the inclusion of elements and values that represent Tequila Herradura. Judges for the grand finale event in Miami included:

• Rodman Primack, owner/founder of global design firm RP Miller and former chairman and auctioneer for Phillips de Pury & Company, London
• Barbara Becker, art collector and well known home furnishing designer in Miami
• Cheryl Dunn, documentary filmmaker and street photographer
• Steve Wilson, owner/founder of 21C Museum Hotels
• Ruben Aceves, International Business Director for Tequila Herradura
• Sean McCaughan, editor of Curbed Miami and design critic contributor to various publications
• Randy Alonso, part-owner and vice-president at La Epoca Department Store

Art lovers in the eight cities will have the opportunity to see the art firsthand as the pieces will be showcased at select venues in each city in early 2014.

To learn more about the "Herradura Barrel Art Collection" and view the bios of all participating artists, visit HerraduraBarrelArt.com. For those looking to share via social media, please use @HerraduraTeq or the hashtag: #ArtHerradura.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a tequila enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Tequila Herradura Releases Cognac Cask Finish Reposado

Tequila Herradura announces the release of its second in a series of small-batch tequilas, Coleccion de la Casa, Reserva 2013 – Cognac Cask Finish Reposado. Credited with creating the first reposado expression and extra anejo expression in the tequila industry, Casa Herradura continues its legacy of innovation with Coleccion de la Casa, Reserva 2013 – Cognac Cask Finish Reposado, a tequila that undergoes a double maturation process in two different types of oak casks: American and French.

Coleccion de la Casa, Reserva 2013 – Cognac Cask Finish Reposado is uniquely crafted by Master Distiller Maria Teresa Lara, using traditional production methods and a proprietary fermentation from naturally-occurring wild yeast. The tequila is then aged to perfection in American oak barrels for 11 months and is transferred to French oak casks sourced from the historic Cognac region for an additional three months. The double-barrel maturation process accentuates the aromas of cooked agave and dried fruit, which is balanced on the palate by earthy and spicy notes. The finish is exceptionally smooth and warm with caramel and vanilla undertones. The Coleccion de la Casa series is the best example in the industry of how each of the sources of flavor – agave, water, fermentation, distillation, and maturation – impacts the character of the final product.

"The barrel is a key ingredient in the final aging process of tequila and through cask-finishing our tequila in two different types of woods, we are able to add a new layer of flavor and aroma and create a superb and multi-dimensional tequila," said Tequila Herradura's Master Distiller Maria Teresa Lara.

"Tequila is a vibrant industry and we are proud of our leadership in the category for the last 143 years," said Ann Stickler, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Brown-Forman's Tequilas. "It is a formidable challenge to create a whole new style of tequila and that is what we've been able to achieve with our limited edition Coleccion de la Casa releases."

Coleccion de la Casa, Reserva 2013 – Cognac Cask Finish Reposado will be available throughout the United States at fine wine and spirits stores in November. The 750ml bottles will be available with a suggested retail price of $89.99. A limited quantity will be available in Mexico, Canada, Australia and El Salvador.

Tasting Notes for Coleccion de la Casa, Reserva 2013 – Cognac Cask Finish Reposado
Color: Clear, with golden and brilliant hues.
Aroma: A masterful combination of agave and smoked oak transitioning to robust spice and dried fruits.
Taste: The finest aged tequila is highlighted by the balance of earthy and spice notes with a touch of smoke and fruit.
Finish: The unique cognac aging results in a smooth warm finish of caramel and vanilla.

About Casa Herradura
Casa Herradura is one of Mexico's most historic and renowned tequila producers. Casa Herradura has been hand harvesting, handcrafting and estate bottling fine tequilas from the small town of Amatitan, Jalisco, since 1870. In 2007, Casa Herradura was acquired by Brown-Forman Corporation of Louisville, Ky. Brown-Forman is a diversified producer and marketer of fine quality beverages and alcohol brands.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a tequila enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.