Clase Azul marks anniversary with new release

Tequila brand Clase Azul has announced the release of a commemorative anniversary bottling to mark 25 years of business.

As part of the brand’s year-long celebration, 9,125 decanters of Clase Azul Tequila 25 Aniversario Limited Edition will be available worldwide from 13 July, with each one representing a day since the birth of the brand.

The anniversary Tequila has been created as a nod to the ‘distinctive and beloved’ brand icon Clase Azul Tequila Reposado.

“Our intention was to pay homage to Clase Azul Tequila Reposado, while still creating something special in honour of our 25th anniversary,’’ said Viridiana Tinoco, master distiller Clase Azul México.

A portion of the agave used to make the spirit was milled with a tahona, while the fermentation process was extended to emphasise citrus and fruity notes.

The blend was aged for eight months in two different first-use American whiskey casks. The flavour profile consists of woody notes with hints of caramel and vanilla, followed by a spicy cinnamon finish with a touch of agave syrup. It also presents a slight earthy, mineral character.

Tinoco continued: “Using a traditional stone tahona to mill part of the agave and ageing in American whiskey casks that have only been used once seemed to strike the perfect balance for this timeless Tequila.”

The decanter is the first in the brand’s portfolio to be painted completely in its distinctive cobalt blue. Each one is decorated with 25 feathered motifs, one for each year of Clase Azul’s history. They have been inspired by floating dandelion seeds, used to symbolise how the brand has spread throughout the world, and each one is painted platinum.

The limited edition release also debuts the brand’s new emblem, recently revealed as part of the company’s brand identity transformation from Clase Azul Spirits to Clase Azul México. During this transition the brand has pledged its commitment to diversify the ways it will offer a ‘culturally exquisite Mexico’ to consumers.

The brand’s 25 Aniversario Limited Edition Tequila is available in a one-litre decanter. It is bottled at 40% ABV and is priced at US$500.

The brand will also debut its Clase Azul Tequila Gold to the UK market this month, with an RRP of £450 (US$535).

The blend combines the brand’s Tequila Plata with a Reposado matured in French oak casks, and an eight-year old Extra Añejo aged in American whisky casks. The liquid has been finished in Sherry casks, and is presented in a glass decanter with a ceramic base, a technique that took six years to perfect.

The Tequila offers tasting notes of toasted wood, figs, green olive, ginger and dark chocolate, with hints of green apple, orange peel and almond on the nose.

Last week we published the list of the best-selling Tequila brands from our Brand Champion’s 2022 report.