Jose Cuervo Especial Gold Reposado Tequila

Cuervo® Gold is golden-style joven tequila made from a blend of reposado (aged) and younger tequilas. Ever the story-maker, Cuervo® Gold’s own story includes the leading role in the invention of The Margarita, and it is still the perfect tequila for that beloved cocktail.

For over 250 years, Jose Cuervo® has been making tequila from the largest agave holdings in the world. The journey begins in the fields on the skirts of the Tequila Volcano. After seven years of maturation, the agave plants are harvested and their cores, or “piñas,” are sent to the La Rojeña distillery. There, they are roasted, grinded, and smashed. The resulting extract is placed into fermentation tanks. Finally, it is distilled and aged to perfection in toasted barrels.

ISLAND SPICE

INGREDIENTS

2 oz Jose Cuervo Especial Gold

1 oz Pineapple Juice

.5 oz Lime Juice

.5 oz Agave

2 slices Jalapeño

Pineapple Wedge

Mint sprig

PREPARATION

Lightly muddle jalapeño in a shaker. Add all remaining ingredients to the shaker. Shake until chilled and strain over ice in a rocks glass. Garnish with pineapple wedge and mint sprig.

THE JOURNEY FROM THE AGAVE FIELDS TO YOUR FAVORITE MARGARITA STARTS ON THE THE SKIRTS OF THE TEQUILA VOLCANO.

Jose Cuervo® owns the largest holdings of agave in the world, nestled in rich, volcanic soil. Caretakers, called “Jimadores,” cultivate and harvest the agave. Jose Cuervo® plants the agave shoots between February and July to avoid the months of excessive rain. The shoots, on average, take seven years to reach maturity.

EXTRACTION

Once the agave has been harvested and pruned, the agave’s cores or “piñas” are sent to La Rojeña. Each day the agave oven deck receives from 200 to 300 tons of agave for the production of tequila. The cooking of the piñas refines the taste of the tequila. Even today, this process is carried out completely in the artisanal tradition, requiring 36 to 40 hours. Eight hours after cooking, the piñas are taken to four mills for grinding. The first one is known as the shredding machine: its multiple blades shred the agave into small pieces. The chunks are then ready for the second wheel, which smashes the pieces to extract the juice. The next two are extraction wheels, where the juice, known as must, is separated from the bagasse.

FERMENTATION AND DISTILLATION

The resulting must is sent to the fermentation tanks. After 50 to 60 hours, the juice is now completely fermented. The next steps – distillation, condensation, and rectification – produce a drinkable product known as white tequila.

AGING

The tequila is reposed and aged slowly in barrels; during this time it acquires the gustatory and aromatic features of wood.The toasting of the barrels is the key to their aromatic yield. There are three degrees of toasting: light, medium and strong; each determines a different tequila profile. The barrels are also lightly sprayed with water so that the wood absorbs humidity to prevent evaporation of the tequila aging inside it.