DeLeón Tequila

DeLeón Tequila
Type Tequila
Country of origin Mexico
Introduced 2009
Website DeLeón Tequila

DeLeón Tequila is a brand of the alcoholic beverage tequila.[1] It is certified as 100% blue weber agave tequila. DeLeón is produced in the town of Purísima del Rincón in the Mexican state of Guanajuato. The city name literally translates to "Purest of the Corner" and the town is named after the Immaculate Conception.

History

DeLeón Tequila was founded by Brent Hocking in 2008.[2] It was first introduced to the US market on Cinco de Mayo, 2009.[3] DeLeón Tequila does not use any of the four allowable chemicals permitted by the CRT (Consejo Regulador Del Tequila).[4] Glycerin, sucrose, oak extract and caramel are not added to DeLeón Tequila.[5] In December 2013 it was announced that Sean Combs would become a partner of DeLeón tequila following the success of his work with Cîroc Vodka.[6][7] A few weeks later it emerged that Sean Combs had in fact bought DeLeón Tequila in partnership with Diageo, with whom he had worked with on growing Cîroc. Following the purchase Diageo and Sean Combs own 50% of DeLeón Tequila.[8]

Varieties

  • Blanco: The DeLeón Blanco is named "Diamante" which translates to diamond in Spanish.
  • Reposado: Reposado translates to resting and is known as the "quiet tequila" in Mexico.[9]
  • Añejo: The DeLeón Añejo is blended in rare French Sauternes wine barrels exclusively by Brent Hocking.[10]
  • Extra Añejo: The DeLeón Extra Añejo is the first and only "cask-strength" 102-proof tequila. Release date August 1, 2011.[11]
  • Leóna: This reserve is made from 100% pure blue weber agave and utilizes Mexican water, drawing from DeLeón’s three natural spring wells. The tequila is distilled in the white glove facility of the DeLeón fabrica, then aged 34 months in Sauternes wine barrels. Presented in a limited edition black box with a python flask. Leóna retails for $825.00 (750 ML. 40% alcohol / VOL. 80 Proof).[12]

Awards

  • DeLeón Diamante – Best in Show Grand Prize Winner at the 2009–2010 world's largest beverage competition held in Genevé, Switzerland, known as the World Beverage Competition. The judges quote, "A whole new class of tequila has been realized."[13]
  • DeLeón Reposado – Best in Show Grand Prize Winner at the 2009–2010 world's largest beverage competition held in Genevé, Switzerland, known as the World Beverage Competition. The judges quote, "A whole new class of tequila has been realized."[13]
  • DeLeón Añejo – Best in Show Grand Prize Winner at the 2010–2011 world's largest beverage competition held in Genevé, Switzerland, known as the World Beverage Competition.[14]
  • DeLeón Añejo – Robb Report Best of the Best Grand Prize Winner 2011.[15]
  • DeLeón Extra Añejo - Robb Report Best of the Best Grand Prize Winner 2012.[16]
  • DeLeón Leóna - Robb Report Best of the Best Grand Prize Winner 2013. DeLeón Tequila is the only spirits brand in the 25-year history of Robb Report to win "Best Spirit" three years in a row.[17]

Taste

  • DeLeón Diamante: "Clean nose, and I mean cleeeeean. Unadulterated agave, citrus, and cinnamon with maybe a hint of nuttiness ... Gentle, delicate, and graceful."[18]
  • DeLeón Reposado: "This pale-colored tequila--aged eight months in oak barrels--greets the palate in a smooth, elegant, and balanced fashion, with flavors of apple, roasted agave, and pepper. Drinks best neat from a white-wine glass."[19]
  • DeLeón Añejo: “ … the deep amber-gold hue of the DeLeón Añejo is the result of the 17 months spent in new French oak, plus further aging in barrels formerly used for Château d’Yquem ... The result is a Cognac-like texture enveloped by a subtle throaty purr reminiscent of an Aston Martin V8 Vantage. This is one añejo best sipped from a snifter after dinner.”[20]
  • DeLeón Extra Añejo: "Despite its concentration, this tequila has no sting of alcohol to its aroma: Only a slight tingling on the tongue hints at the lofty proof. Honey, buttered almonds, cherries, and cedar essences are packed into every sip, while a hint of heather, reminiscent of a single-malt Scotch, lingers at the back of the palate."[21]
  • Leóna: “Matured in Château d'Yquem barrels for 34 months—just two months shy of the time required to become an extra-añejo—this limited-edition, bronze-hued tequila possesses a texture more akin to an XO Cognac, brimming with burnt orange peels, cherries, and a hint of rose petals.”[22]

References

  1. ↑ "Ultra Premium DeLeon Tequila". The Life of Luxury. 14 July 2009. Retrieved 20 July 2011.
  2. ↑ Cohen, Francine (July 2009). "DeLeon Diamante Tequila Delights". Food & Beverage Magazine: 16.
  3. ↑ "DeLeón Tequila Rocks Chateau Marmont on Cinco de Mayo". Tequila.net. 13 May 2009. Retrieved 21 July 2011.
  4. ↑ "Classification". Consejo Regulador del Tequila. Retrieved 21 July 2011.
  5. ↑ "The Sacred Juice". David Burke Magazine: 27. 2010.
  6. ↑ http://pagesix.com/2013/12/29/diddy-expanding-empire-to-tequila/
  7. ↑ http://www.musictimes.com/articles/3154/20140102/diddy-expanding-alcohol-empire-dele%C3%B3n-tequila.htm
  8. ↑ DeLeón Tequila
  9. ↑ Contreras, Maya (Spring–Summer 2011). "And Now a Word from Brent Hocking, CEO of DeLeon". The Dirty Durty Diary: 94–95.
  10. ↑ "Drinking It Straight". 100 Thousand Club: 62–66. Summer 2010.
  11. ↑ Wong, Susie (18 May 2011). "Haute Event: DeLeón Unveils a New Spirit at the Two Year Anniversary Bash". Haute Living Magazine. Retrieved 21 July 2011.
  12. ↑ "DeLeón Tequila Unveils Its Exclusive New Reserve: Leóna. The World's Finest Spirit Makes Its Mark". PR Newswire. 13 November 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
  13. 1 2 "World's Largest Beverage Competition Announces Winners". World Beverage Competition. 15 December 2009. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
  14. ↑ "The 2010-2011 Competition is Complete". World Beverage Competition. 15 December 2010. Retrieved 21 July 2011.
  15. ↑ Carleton Hacker, Richard (June 2011). "Best of the Best 2011 Luxury Portfolio". Robb Report: 194–195.
  16. ↑ Carleton Hacker, Richard (June 2012). "Best of the Best 2012 Luxury Portfolio". Robb Report: 231.
  17. ↑ Carleton Hacker, Richard (June 2013). "Best of the Best 2013 Luxury Portfolio". Robb Report: 229–230.
  18. ↑ Driscoll, David (26 December 2010). "DeLeon Tequila - The Family-Owned Luxury Brand". Spirits Journal. K&L Wine Merchants. Retrieved 21 July 2011.
  19. ↑ Taylor, Jessica (1 October 2009). "Spirited Diversions". Robb Report. Retrieved 21 July 2011.
  20. ↑ Carleton Hacker, Richard (6 December 2010). "DeLeón Añejo: The Ultimate Agave". Robb Report. Retrieved 22 July 2011.
  21. ↑ Carleton Hacker, Richard (1 February 2012). "Ave Tequila". Robb Report. Missing or empty |url= (help); |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  22. ↑ Carleton Hacker, Richard (November 2012). "Holiday Host's Guide 2012". Robb Report: 42–44.
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