Espolon
 | This article contains promotional content. (September 2016) |
 | |
| Type | Tequila |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Distiladora San Nicolas |
| Country of origin | Arandas, Jalisco, Mexico |
| Introduced | 1998 |
| Alcohol by volume | 40% |
| Proof (US) | 80 |
| Website | TequilaESPOLON.com |
El Espolón is a brand of tequila from Campari America.[1] The tequila is produced at the brand owned Casa San Nicolas (NOM-1440) in the Los Altos (Highlands) region of Jalisco, Mexico, famous for its cultivation of agave plants.[2] Espolón tequila is unique in its overall preparation by cutting "the hearts of the agave plant into four pieces rather than two, the industry average."[3] This preparation allows for the flavor profile of Espolón to have a "sweeter end product."[4]
Made entirely from 100% Blue Weber Agave, El Espolón (or simply, Espolón) was created by Master Distiller Cirilo Oropeza, and was first produced in 1998. Espolón is currently distributed in Mexico, the United States and select markets globally.
Currently, four marques of Espolòn are Blanco (silver), Reposado (aged up to 6 months) and Añejo (aged up to 12 months) and Añejo X (aged up to 6 years).
Founder
Master Distiller Cirilo Oropeza, who passed on October 5, 2020, had over 50 years of distilling experience. Cirilo "paid strict attention to detail and his renowned unconventional methods, he had one simple goal: to create a tequila so good he was proud to share it with the world."[5] He started his distilling career in 1965 at the Ingenio Potrero Distillery and in 1998, shared Espolón Tequila with the world.
Distillery
The Casa San Nicolas Distillery is located among the agave plantations of the Jalisco Highlands. San Nicolas is designed to be an artisanal facility, built to Oropeza’s specifications. The distillation process utilizes #2 char American oak barrels, with each agave piña (heart) cooked for 20 – 22 hours and distilled for 5½ hours. The water is sourced from 250 meters beneath the Highlands of Jalisco, and remains unfiltered as a critical ingredient to each marque of Espolòn tequila.
Branding
Paying tribute to the "pelea de gallos" or fighting cocks of Spanish American tradition, Espolón takes its name from the "spur" found on the back of the rooster’s leg. Espolón has a rooster, and icon, named Ramón, whose image can be viewed on the Blanco and Añejo X marque.
Espolón's overall label art features a woodcut illustration created by Steven Noble. There is variation between the artwork used in the brand's domestically and internationally distributed bottles. All labels pay tribute to Jose Guadalupe Posada, a 19th century artist who was most famous for his calavera artwork. Each image displays important detail of Mexican history.
Espolón's Tequila Blanco pays tribute to Mexico's Independence Day, Tequila Reposado displays a marketplace, a place that "holds special importance in Mexican history,"[6] Añejo Tequila displays the Jarabe Tapatio, a form of protest shortly after the Mexican Revolution, and Extra Añejo Tequila keeps "with the traditional Mexican belief that will all death comes a celebration of renewed life"[7] with a display of a burial ground.
Awards
Blanco
- 2016 International Wine and Spirit Competition: Bronze [8]
- 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Silver [8]
- 2016 Ultimate Spirits Competition: Strong Recommendation [8]
- 2012 International Wine and Spirit Competition: Silver [9]
- 2011 San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Double Gold - "Best Silver Tequila" [9]
- 2011 Ultimate Spirits Competition – FINALIST for Chairman’s Trophy – 93 Points [9]
- 2010 International Review of Spirits: Gold – 94 Points [9]
Reposado
- 2016 International Wine and Spirit Competition: Bronze [10]
- 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Silver [10]
- 2014 Ultimate Spirits Competition: Finalist [10]
- 2013 International Wine and Spirit Competition: Silver Outstanding Medal [10]
- 2012 International Wine and Spirit Competition: Silver [9]
- 2011 San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Gold [9]
- 2010 International Review of Spirits: Gold – 93 Points [9]
Añejo
- 2020 New York International Spirits Competition: Gold [11]
- 2015 International Wine and Spirit Competition: Silver [12]
- 2015 San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Gold [12]
- 2015 Ultimate Spirits Competition: Finalist [12]
References
- ^ Espolon | Campari Corporate
- ^ Espolon | Campari Corporate
- ^ vinepair.com/articles/espolon-tequila-mexico/
- ^ vinepair.com/articles/espolon-tequila-mexico/
- ^ https://www.spiritedbiz.com/espolon-celebrates-the-life-of-its-innovative-founder-and-legendary-maestro-tequilero-cirilo-oropeza/
- ^ espolontequila.com/story
- ^ espolontequila.com/story
- ^ a b c "Blanco". Espolòn. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g Espolón Tequila - Login Page
- ^ a b c d "Reposado". Espolòn. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
- ^ "2020 Winners". nyispiritscompetition.com. Retrieved 2020-09-18.
- ^ a b c "Añejo". Espolòn.
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