The makers behind Clase Azul tequila and mezcal are elevating Día de Los Muertos with the launch of a series of limited edition releases in line with the holiday from 2021 to 2025.
Called Nuestros Recuerdos, each year will see a new limited edition item that imbues Mexico's rich history and culture. The 2021 Sabores edition debuted Oct. 18 and only 5,000 decanters of it are available worldwide.
“This tequila is inspired by the Día de Muertos’ flavors and aromas,” Clase Azul master distiller Viridiana Tinoco said. “Through flavor you can evoke memories — the goal was to recreate the essence of this holiday’s gastronomy in an añejo tequila so that anyone, anywhere could experience it.”
Sabores is Clase Azul’s first single estate agave tequila, meaning its Blue Weber agave was harvested from just a single field. In this case, it was sourced from Cerro de Viboreo, a mountaintop in Los Altos de Jalisco that features remnants of an ancient civilization and special soil and weather conditions that allow for a unique flavor profile. Furthermore, the tequila was created by blending tequilas aged in distinctive ways. The añejo tequila was aged for more than 14-months in casks used for American whiskies, while the other tequilas were aged in first-use American oak casks with light and medium charring.
The holiday’s traditions are perhaps best captured through the decanter’s handcrafted design. Rich in mystical celebration, the matte black decanter features a gold-plated metal ornament of three calaveras and a pan de muerto. Artwork of las catrinas— the skeleton icon symbolic of the holiday— enjoying a feast is also included. For a final touch, the classic Clase Azul agave symbol is embellished in gold.
Living up to the beautiful presentation, Sabores itself is a full-bodied añejo of complex flavors. Tastes of sweet coconut, cloves, coffee, roasted almonds and hints of chocolate explode in ode to classic Día de Los Muertos desserts, like hot chocolate and arroz con leche, making for an ideal offering for loved ones that are here and have departed.
Future editions in the Nuestros Recuerdos series include Aromas, Colores, Música and Recuerdos— all elements significant to a proper Día de Los Muertos observance.
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Photography by: Courtesy Clase Azul
