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El Tequileño to launch in UK

Tequila brand El Tequileño will make its debut in the UK next year through a new partnership with independent spirits firm Ten Locks.

El Tequileño will launch in the UK in early 2021

Manchester-based Kingsland Drinks unveiled its standalone spirits firm, Ten Locks, in August 2020. The first brands to join the Ten Locks’ portfolio were Indonesian rum brand Nusa Caña, Applewood Gin and West Cork Irish whiskey.

El Tequileño was founded in 1959 by Don Jorge Salles Cuervo. The Tequila is made with agave sourced from Los Altos de Jalisco and mineral-rich volcanic spring water from Volcán de Tequila.

Described as ‘one of the world’s most sought-after Tequila brands’, El Tequileño will debut its Blanco and Reposado expressions to UK retailers and the on-trade in early 2021. The remaining products in the range, Platinum, Reposado Gran Reserva, Añejo Gran Reserva and the ‘world’s first’ Reposado Rare, are expected to launch later in the year.

Third generation master distiller, Antonio Salles, said of the Reposado Rare: “My father wanted to try something new and see what happened. He decided to age the spirit in a huge American oak barrel known as a pipon.

“The barrels hold up to 23,000 litres of the Tequila, where it is aged for six years. This gives it the depth of an extra añejo, but since Mexican law states that those can only be aged in barrels of 600 litres or less (for a minimum of three years), Salles dubbed his premium creation ‘Reposado Rare’.”

The brand claims to produce its range using sustainability production techniques, with 98% of the residuals from production recycled and turned into natural fertiliser for new agave plants.

Becky Davies, head of commercial at Ten Locks, said: “The arrival of El Tequileño is much anticipated within the drinks trade; our talks reveal this to be one of the spirit brands really that’s in demand – especially the Reposado Rare.

“We’re proud to be the first to bring it to the UK and see real promise for the brand as the trade is able to tap into increasing consumer appetite for Tequila and unlock the potential of a sector that’s really showing momentum.”

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