Stoli Group Launches Super-Premium Cenote Blanco, Añejo and Reposado Tequila Aged in Bourbon Barrels

Stoli Group - Introduces super-premium Cenote Tequila with Blanco, Reposado and Añejo Expressions, cover

Stoli Group has announced the introduction of super-premium Cenote™ Tequila – “Tequila with a Soul,” marking the first time the spirits organization has created a new tequila brand from start to finish.

Cenote is a 100% Agave Azul Tequilana Weber tequila. The company says they were inspired by the spectacular limestone cenotes scattered throughout Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. Master Distiller Arturo Fuentes and Master Blender Alejandro Garcia Páez manage the entire process at Fabrica de Tequilos Finos, located at the foot of Tequila Volcano in Jalisco.

Starting in March 2018 the tequila line will include Blanco, Reposado and Añejo expressions, made with volcano water sourced from an artesian well located on the distillery’s grounds. The water goes through reverse osmosis and carbon filters with silver ions to eliminate the chance of impurities. It is fermented in stainless steel columns before undergoing double-pot distillation through a combination of copper and silver stills – a process that preserves the natural flavors of the top-quality agave used. The entire range is aged in American Oak Bourbon Barrels.

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Tequila Aged from 3 Weeks to 1 Year in Bourbon Barrels

Cenote Tequila Blanco mellows for three weeks before bottling, adding bright citrus and pepper notes from contact with the wood. The Reposado expression is aged for three months, delivering a round, harmonious palate of vanilla, wood, spice, and green vegetable. Cenote’s Añejo expression is aged for one year, giving it a deep, amber color and producing a smoked, woody nose and vanilla, spice and chocolate notes on the palate. Each barrel is personally nosed and tasted by the Master Distiller before it’s blended by Alejandro Garcia Páez and his team. Earlier this year, Añejo and Reposado were awarded Gold Medals, and Blanco was awarded a Silver Medal, in The Spirits Business Tequila & Mezcal Masters.

Stoli Group Global CEO Hugues Pietrini said, “We see great potential for Cenote Tequila, which allows us to step into a very dynamic category, as consumers have discovered sipping-grade tequilas. With Cenote, we are looking to recruit younger, urban consumers into both the tequila category and our super premium portfolio.”

Arturo Fuentes has spent more than 35 years producing tequila and most recently in France distilling Cognac. He added, “After many years of producing tequila, we feel like with Cenote we finally got the tequila we’ve been looking for. We hope that this is a tequila that brings people together.”

Cenote™ Tequila comes in a blue bottle adorned with vivid Yucatán illustrations and Mayan glyphs, honoring Cenotes and Chaac, the Mayan rain deity. Cenote Blanco comes with a suggested retail price of $44.99. Cenote Resposado has a suggested retail price of $54.99. Cenote Añejo has a suggested retail price of $64.99.