Mijenta launches cristalino Tequila

Tequila brand Mijenta has added a cristalino expression to its range, which was aged in Symphony barrels for eight months.

The cristalino joins a blanco, reposado and añejo in the brand’s lineup.

A clear spirit, the cristalino was aged for eight months in Symphony barrels, which were built with staves of American oak from the forests of Minnesota, Missouri, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

The brand said the process enhanced ‘the incredible richness of the Tequila as new compounds develop, transform and evolve’.

Mijenta’s maestra tequilera, Ana María Romero Mena, said: “I love to bring together the art and science of crafting Tequila, and have been thrilled with the reception to Mijenta’s first three expressions.

“With the cristalino, and other Mijenta expressions moving forward, I am excited to experiment with different techniques and approaches that showcase the depth and richness of the agave.”

To achieve the transparent effect, 90% of the barrel-aged Tequila is filtered and blended with 10% unfiltered Tequila. Romero Mena controlled the contact of the spirit with the charcoal from proprietary filtration, which helped to maintain the aromatics and profile of the spirit while removing the colour.

Mijenta co-founder Juan Coronado added: “As a result of the meticulous process, our cristalino possesses the richness of an añejo, drinks like a reposado, and is perfect for cocktails that require a clear spirit, like the Martini.

“As this style continues to grow in popularity, this expression will make an excellent choice for mixologists and cocktail enthusiasts.”

Mijenta Cristalino has notes of maple, caramel, coffee, coconut, toffee on the nose, plus more fruit-forward aromas of citrus and honey.

On the palate, ‘sweet and silky’ flavours can be discovered, such as coconut, vanilla, maple, chocolate and coffee.

It has an ABV of 40% and retails for £98.50 (US$124) per 700ml bottle from Harvey Nichols.

It also comes in fully recyclable packaging, with the bottle and cork made from recycled glass and the box from 100% post-consumer recycled paper.

Mijenta is the first Tequila brand to obtain B-Corp certification, which recognises brands for their eco-friendly and sustainable commitments.

Last year, Mijenta brought the second batch of its Añejo Gran Reserva to the UK.

The Spirits Business also spoke with its co-founder Mike Dolan, who said the category could do with a ‘shake-out’ of brands.

Of the launch, Dolan said: “Aficionados, top mixologists, retailers and distributors have gravitated around a common theme — ours doesn’t taste like any cristalino they’ve experienced before.

“Ours of course is additive-free, and that’s exactly what we wanted. Commercially, where we see the most significant opportunity isn’t even necessarily in the Tequila market.

“Rather, as vodka continues to shed market share, we’re targeting those drinkers who are looking for a spirit that’s still clear, but has greater richness and complexity, and also makes the perfect Martini.”