CORAZÓN TEQUILA ANNOUNCES 2016 RELEASE OF EXPRESIONES DEL CORAZÓN
CORAZÓN TEQUILA ANNOUNCES 2016 RELEASE OF EXPRESIONES DEL CORAZÓN
Barrel Aged Tequila Uses Buffalo Trace, Van Winkle, and Thomas H. Handy Barrels
Chicago, IL (Dec. 7, 2016) – Corazón Tequila is announcing the 2016 release of its limited line of Expresiones del Corazón. This high-end line of tequilas are aged in barrels that used to hold world renowned whiskies from the most award winning distillery, Buffalo Trace Distillery. This year’s release includes tequilas aged in Buffalo Trace, Old Rip Van Winkle and Thomas H. Handy Sazerac barrels, as well as an Artisanal Blanco.
The Buffalo Trace Reposado was aged 10 and-a-half months in Buffalo Trace bourbon barrels, and tastes of caramel, vanilla and a touch of spice.
Old Rip Van Winkle Añejo was aged 23 months in Pappy Van Winkle bourbon barrels, and has creamy notes of oak, almond and vanilla.
New to the Expresiones lineup is Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Añejo. This tequila was aged 19 months in Thomas H. Handy Sazerac bourbon barrels, and has a light, sweet taste. This expression is the most limited expression in the collection, yielding a very limited number of bottles.
The Artisanal Blanco was held for 60 days in stainless steel, and with less aging, is able to brilliantly express the terroir in the tequila. This expression has a sweet, soft, mint, eucalyptus and slightly tangy taste.
Many factors play a role in the creation of these tequilas, however inside the barrel is where all the magic takes place, and is what makes the Expresiones del Corazón line so unique. The barrels impart unique characteristics on the tequila that when aged creates a spirit unlike any other.
The Corazón brand, which falls under the Sazerac umbrella, is produced at the Casa San Matías Distillery, which is celebrating 130 years of tequila making in Acatic, Los Altos Jalisco. With this third release of Expresiones del Corazón, the Corazón team again worked with experts from the tequila and bourbon industries to combine expertise and work toward a shared passion of creating the best spirits in the world.
“We are very pleased to announce this year’s release of Expresiones del Corazón,” Tequila Marketing Manager Megan Hurtuk said. “The combination of the Artisanal Blanco with these flavorful barrels from Buffalo Trace Distillery has resulted in three one-of-a-kind tequilas, including this year’s addition of Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Añejo, which we’re thrilled to share.”
Using 100 percent blue agave from the highlands of Jalisco, the brix for Expresiones del Corazón are measured to determine sugar levels before harvest, rather than a traditional clear cut. Two sets of agave were harvested, one with a lower sugar content and flavored a little drier, and one with a higher sugar content considered a little sweeter for agave, resulting in more floral notes. The result was a harmonization of the two sets of agave in the amazing Blanco, which was then used as the base for the other Expresiones del Corazón.
The agave is slow cooked in stone ovens before being distilled in stainless steel pots using fresh spring water from the Jalisco highlands. The filled barrels are stored in the first row at Casa San Matías aging facility in Acatic, Los Altos Jalisco, where the barrels receive the ideal level of air flow to aid in the again process. The barrels are then evaluated every two months until the desired characteristics are achieved.
Expresiones del Corazón are available nationally, however quantities are very limited. The suggested retail price for the Artisanal Blanco is $59.99, Buffalo Trace Reposado is $69.99, Old Rip Van Winkle Añejo is $79.99 and Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Añejo is $79.99. All four expressions in this release are 80 proof.
About Casa San Matías
With 130 years of experience, Casa San Matías is one of the oldest tequila distilleries in Mexico, and as a Mexican family owned distillery, is one of the few producers that still use traditional methods to produce its tequila. Casa San Matías was the first in the tequila industry to participate in the selling carbon footprint program promoted by the United Nations to combat global warming, and is one of only four tequila companies using a biodigester in order to operate environmentally friendly. The Distillery is known for brands like Rey Sol, Pueblo Viejo, Orgullo and San Matías. For more information about Casa San Matías, please visit www.sanmatias.com.
About the Sazerac Company
Sazerac is one of New Orleans’ oldest American family owned, privately held companies and has operations in New Orleans, Louisiana; Frankfort, Bardstown, Louisville and Owensboro, Kentucky; Fredericksburg, Virginia; Carson, California; Baltimore, Maryland; Lewiston, Maine; Manchester, New Hampshire; and Montreal Canada. For more information on Sazerac, please visit www.sazerac.com.