TEQUILA.net Hosts First Agave Spirits Challenge in Cancun, Mexico
Submitted by MrAgave
February 16, 2008
Judges From Three Countries Review More Than Eighty Spirits of Mexico
DENVER, Colorado (February 16, 2008)—Six expert judges from three different countries spent seven
days looking for Agave spirit excellence. Judging took place at Royal Resorts Club International and
Hacienda Sisal Restaurant between February 2nd and February 8th, 2008. The judges blind tasted over
eighty Agave spirits and rated them in six categories: aroma, initial taste, body, finish, smoothness, and
quality for price. Agave spirits from all over Mexico were eligible to compete in this inaugural Agave
Spirits Challenge and dozens of Tequilas, Mezcals, Sotols and Agave based liqueurs took up the
challenge.
Darin Jones, owner of TEQUILA.net was pleased with the number and quality of entries for this first
competition. “The final results say it all: There are enjoyable premium spirits produced throughout
Mexico, and it was exciting to see Tequila, Mezcal, and Sotol products at the top of the final ratings.”
Tasting three flights a day, each flight comprised of six to eight entries, it took a full week to complete
the tasting competition. The final rankings produced the top six spirits, which were then tasted blind,
head to head for the final grand tasting held on February 8th. The finals included three Tequila
products, two Sotols and one Mezcal.
Winners were announced at the live event held at Hacienda Sisal Restaurant which hosted a buffet of
Mexican delicacies, a mariachi band and a free public tasting of all the entries. The top Tequila, Tequila
El Gran Jubileo Extra Añejo also captured the Top Agave Spirit award. Mezcal El Zacatecano Añejo was
named top Mezcal and Hacienda de Chihuahua Sotol H5 Extra Añejo received the top Sotol award.
Hacienda de Chihuahua Sotol also captured the “Top Spirit Family” award, given to the highest rated
brand with three or more entries.
The judging committee was a who’s who of the world’s Agave experts. Ricardo Cisneros is Master
Tequilier and professor at University of Caribe. Elena Gamarra is a sommelier and professor at the same
university in Mexico. Lance Cutler is a winemaker and author of The Tequila Lover’s Guide to Mexico and
Mezcal. Shawn Soole is a sommelier and associate editor of Chilled Magazine, and was named one of
Australia’s bartender of the year in 2006. Mark Cannon is a Tequila historian and artist who owns
PocoTequila.com . “Tequila Joe” Horrigan is a spirit professional and educator, writer, and owner of
TastingAficionados.com .
“It is wonderful to see this kind of attention focused on the various Agave spirits of Mexico,” said
Ricardo Cisneros. “Agave spirits are the flavor of Mexico and as such they reflect directly upon our
culture and heritage.
Shawn Soole commented, “I know a lot about cocktails, but this tasting opened my eyes to the length
and breadth of variety in Agave spirits. I had no idea of the complexity they offer. I feel like I’ve
discovered a whole new world of aroma and flavor.”
All entries competed for Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum medals along with “Best in Category” for
designated categories. These best of category winners included Tequila Arette Blanco, Vida Tequila
Reposado, Tequila Tres Mujeres Añejo, El Gran Jubileo Extra Añejo and Reserva del Señor Premium
Almendrado.
Local Cancún artists and designers were present for the Bottle/Packaging design competition held
Friday evening at the final tasting. The “Best Overall Presentation” was awarded to Partida Elegante
Tequila, “Best Label Presentation” went to Jose Cuervo Platino Tequila, “Best Bottle Design” went to
Tequila Rey de Copas, “Most Creative” went to 5150 Tequila, “Most Unique” went to Tequila Sol Azul,
and “Most Artistic” was awarded to the family of Del Maguey Single Village Mezcals. Final awards for
both the tasting and bottle design competition are available for viewing on the event web site, www.
AGAVE.net .
“We want to thank the participants, our judges, and our sponsors,” Darin Jones concluded. “Everyone
involved assisted in making our inaugural event a huge success. The Agave Spirits Challenge is unique
compared to other tasting competitions, as we take the time to taste the spirit, allowing a complete
rating which includes the spirit’s finish and enjoyability, and the fact that it is only open to the
wonderful Spirits of Mexico.”
Contacts:
Darin Jones, AGAVE Spirits Challenge Director
303-868-8248
Veronica Rivera, Event Coordinator
(Para información en Español) 303-204-0541
http://www.Agave.net
http://www.Tequila.net
TEQUILA.net is a community web site for Agave products, with a database of over 500 reviewable
listings, Agave news and new brand announcements, web links to distillery and brand web sites, and
member forums.
Event Location / Sponsors:
Royal Resorts – Club International de Cancun – www.RoyalResorts.com
Hacienda Sisal Mexican Grill – www.haciendasisal.com
Event Photography – www.VistaImagery.com
Submitted by MrAgave
February 16, 2008
Judges From Three Countries Review More Than Eighty Spirits of Mexico
DENVER, Colorado (February 16, 2008)—Six expert judges from three different countries spent seven
days looking for Agave spirit excellence. Judging took place at Royal Resorts Club International and
Hacienda Sisal Restaurant between February 2nd and February 8th, 2008. The judges blind tasted over
eighty Agave spirits and rated them in six categories: aroma, initial taste, body, finish, smoothness, and
quality for price. Agave spirits from all over Mexico were eligible to compete in this inaugural Agave
Spirits Challenge and dozens of Tequilas, Mezcals, Sotols and Agave based liqueurs took up the
challenge.
Darin Jones, owner of TEQUILA.net was pleased with the number and quality of entries for this first
competition. “The final results say it all: There are enjoyable premium spirits produced throughout
Mexico, and it was exciting to see Tequila, Mezcal, and Sotol products at the top of the final ratings.”
Tasting three flights a day, each flight comprised of six to eight entries, it took a full week to complete
the tasting competition. The final rankings produced the top six spirits, which were then tasted blind,
head to head for the final grand tasting held on February 8th. The finals included three Tequila
products, two Sotols and one Mezcal.
Winners were announced at the live event held at Hacienda Sisal Restaurant which hosted a buffet of
Mexican delicacies, a mariachi band and a free public tasting of all the entries. The top Tequila, Tequila
El Gran Jubileo Extra Añejo also captured the Top Agave Spirit award. Mezcal El Zacatecano Añejo was
named top Mezcal and Hacienda de Chihuahua Sotol H5 Extra Añejo received the top Sotol award.
Hacienda de Chihuahua Sotol also captured the “Top Spirit Family” award, given to the highest rated
brand with three or more entries.
The judging committee was a who’s who of the world’s Agave experts. Ricardo Cisneros is Master
Tequilier and professor at University of Caribe. Elena Gamarra is a sommelier and professor at the same
university in Mexico. Lance Cutler is a winemaker and author of The Tequila Lover’s Guide to Mexico and
Mezcal. Shawn Soole is a sommelier and associate editor of Chilled Magazine, and was named one of
Australia’s bartender of the year in 2006. Mark Cannon is a Tequila historian and artist who owns
PocoTequila.com . “Tequila Joe” Horrigan is a spirit professional and educator, writer, and owner of
TastingAficionados.com .
“It is wonderful to see this kind of attention focused on the various Agave spirits of Mexico,” said
Ricardo Cisneros. “Agave spirits are the flavor of Mexico and as such they reflect directly upon our
culture and heritage.
Shawn Soole commented, “I know a lot about cocktails, but this tasting opened my eyes to the length
and breadth of variety in Agave spirits. I had no idea of the complexity they offer. I feel like I’ve
discovered a whole new world of aroma and flavor.”
All entries competed for Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum medals along with “Best in Category” for
designated categories. These best of category winners included Tequila Arette Blanco, Vida Tequila
Reposado, Tequila Tres Mujeres Añejo, El Gran Jubileo Extra Añejo and Reserva del Señor Premium
Almendrado.
Local Cancún artists and designers were present for the Bottle/Packaging design competition held
Friday evening at the final tasting. The “Best Overall Presentation” was awarded to Partida Elegante
Tequila, “Best Label Presentation” went to Jose Cuervo Platino Tequila, “Best Bottle Design” went to
Tequila Rey de Copas, “Most Creative” went to 5150 Tequila, “Most Unique” went to Tequila Sol Azul,
and “Most Artistic” was awarded to the family of Del Maguey Single Village Mezcals. Final awards for
both the tasting and bottle design competition are available for viewing on the event web site, www.
AGAVE.net .
“We want to thank the participants, our judges, and our sponsors,” Darin Jones concluded. “Everyone
involved assisted in making our inaugural event a huge success. The Agave Spirits Challenge is unique
compared to other tasting competitions, as we take the time to taste the spirit, allowing a complete
rating which includes the spirit’s finish and enjoyability, and the fact that it is only open to the
wonderful Spirits of Mexico.”
Contacts:
Darin Jones, AGAVE Spirits Challenge Director
303-868-8248
Veronica Rivera, Event Coordinator
(Para información en Español) 303-204-0541
http://www.Agave.net
http://www.Tequila.net
TEQUILA.net is a community web site for Agave products, with a database of over 500 reviewable
listings, Agave news and new brand announcements, web links to distillery and brand web sites, and
member forums.
Event Location / Sponsors:
Royal Resorts – Club International de Cancun – www.RoyalResorts.com
Hacienda Sisal Mexican Grill – www.haciendasisal.com
Event Photography – www.VistaImagery.com
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