FOOD NEWS
Patrón's New Deluxe Variety Features Mega-Exclusive Agave
By Nico Danilovich
Tequila, it seems, is more exclusive than you might think; distilled from the Weber blue agave plant, the Mexican government declared that tequila must come from one of five designated Mexican states. Then, there are the types of tequila: Reposado (rested), aged two months to a year; añejo (aged), aged one to three years; and extra añejo, aged more than three years.
Intending to break into the prestige category of tequilas, in November 2022, Patrón unveiled Patrón El Alto, made from 100% Weber Blue Agave that's grown in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. While Jalisco's volcanic lowlands create tequilas with an earthy and herbal taste, the heated red clay ground of its highlands give rise to tequilas with sweet, fruity flavors.
Patrón took four years and held 300 tastings to develop this smooth strain of hand-made extra añejo tequila, blended with both añejo and reposado tequilas, using oak barrels for dry agedness. In addition to the blue agave flavor, Patrón El Alto carries hints of caramel, figs, honey, and vanilla, and will cost about $180 in major U.S. cities, like L.A., Miami, and New York.