Mijenta is the newest top-shelf producer to hop on board the pattern of cristalino tequila—and it’s coming into the area in a decidedly experimental method. Identified for its award-winning, additive-free choices, with a powerful concentrate on sustainability, the model has crafted its Cristalino utilizing a symphony of oak staves sourced from forests all throughout the U.S.
An eight month maturation imparts upon the agave spirit a parade of confections, together with coconut, maple syrup, and toffee. Throughout that point, the liquid picks up a straw-like hue, because it evolves right into a reposado type of tequila. Mijenta’s proprietary filtration course of not solely removes the coloring, however it additionally repositions—entrance and heart—among the vegetal agave notes from the underlying distillate.
“Because of the meticulous course of, our Cristalino possesses the richness of an añejo, drinks like a reposado, and is ideal for cocktails that require a transparent spirit,” says Mijenta co-founder Juan Coronado. “As this type continues to develop in recognition, this expression will make a superb alternative for mixologists and cocktail fans.” Coronado goes on to advocate utilizing it as a base on your subsequent espresso martini.
Mijenta’s staff of professional mixologists additionally developed a cocktail particularly for the brand new launch, known as el yerberito. It combines 2.5 ounces of the liquid, stirred over ice, with a bar spoon every of Yellow Chartreuse and dry vermouth, together with a few dashes of lavender bitters and a pinch of salt—strained and served up in a martini glass.
If that preparation is just too elaborate on your dwelling bar, fret not. The $120 bottle quaffs nice by itself, poured neat right into a snifter. And a rising variety of tequila aficionados are doing simply that.
Based on the newest information from Nielsen, greenback gross sales development of the cristalino type is up 39 p.c yr over yr. It’s an unbelievable stat when you think about that this nascent class didn’t exist earlier than 2011. However, it’s straightforward to know the enchantment. Because the tequila is cask-aged however enters the bottle as a transparent spirit because of charcoal filtration, of us who worry brown liquor but nonetheless wish to get pleasure from candy caramel complexities from the barrel, can have it each methods. For those who’re seeking to see what all of the fuss is about, Mijenta’s newest expression exists as a worthwhile, additive-free springboard from which to dive in.
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