Yahoo Lifestyle Celebrate The Holidays With Clase Azul Mexico
When we think of tequila, we often think of warm weather, be it the climate in Mexico where agave is grown or the cocktails that elevate any pool or beach party. But as any enthusiast can tell you, agave spirits are a year-round affair, as delicious and enjoyable in colder climes as they are during the summer. With that in mind, tequila, and its sibling spirit, mezcal, are the perfect additions to the holiday season, both for gifting and as the stars in festive cocktails.
Which one should you pick up? There’s tequila, and then there’s the tequila, the one that seems tailor-made for the holidays. That would be Clase Azul, which for more than a quarter-century has been one of the most prized, coveted, and awarded of all tequilas. As distinctive as the liquid itself is its iconic ceramic decanters, which have become status symbols for tequila fans worldwide and a trademark of quality for the bars that have them on display, signifying that they’ve got the good stuff. Now that you’ve found your gift, it’s time to narrow it down, by going over particular expressions of Clase Azul’s tequilas and mezcals to figure out which ones are most suitable for everyone from the agave-curious to the seasoned experts in your life.
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Clase Azul Tequilas: Great Gift Ideas For Novices And Connoisseurs
Unaged tequila, also known as blanco or plata, used to be widely considered for mixing only. Today, however, real aficionados know that it’s the best way to taste the full flavor of the agave and most fully appreciate the tequiliero’s skills, unadulterated by barrel aging. Of course, Clase Azul Plata—the base spirit for all Clase Azul tequilas—is also terrific in cocktails. With its striking clear glass decanter, Plata makes a perfect gift for novices, sophisticates, and home bartenders.
Reposado is the most versatile of tequilas, ideal for both sipping and mixing. Aged for eight months in American whiskey casks, Clase Azul Reposado is its signature expression, a perfect fusion of agave and oak influences. The Reposado’s lightly sweet flavors, redolent of citrus and hazelnut, is great to pair with food, drink neat, or use in a cocktail (see below for a holiday-themed drink recipe employing Reposado). Its distinctive ceramic decanter, adorned with feathered brushstrokes of cobalt blue, is indelibly associated with the brand. For gift givers, it makes a perfect introduction to Clase Azul.
Clase Azul Gold is the gift for tequila connoisseurs who think they’ve tried it all. This unique expression is a blend of Clase Azul Plata, a special reposado tequila matured in French oak casks, and an extra añejo finished in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks. A gorgeous sipping tequila, it features notes of cooked agave, almond, and fig marmalade with a long finish of cacao and dried plum. The decanter, a glass/ceramic combination inspired by the sunset, is as distinctive as the liquid, adorned by two hand-painted 24-karat-gold ribbons on the ceramic base.
Clase Azul Añejo is aged for more than two years in ex-American whiskey barrels. This is añejo tequila at its best, with a perfect balance between the agave and the influence of the barrel. It makes a perfect gift to convert lovers of whiskey, cognac, and other brown spirits. The stunning ceramic decanter evokes the agave’s transformation into tequila, with brushstrokes painted in 24-karat gold. But for the true tequila connoisseur, Clase Azul Ultra is the ultimate gift. It’s aged for five years, first in American whiskey barrels, then separated into amontillado, oloroso, and pedro ximénez sherry casks. In the final step of the process, the casks are all recombined. The result is like no other tequila, with notes of dried plum, cinnamon, cacao, and clove, along with hints of tobacco and a long finish of dried plum and caramelized walnut. The decanter is similarly dazzling; the sheer black ceramic surface is painted with brushstrokes of silver, 24-karat gold, and platinum. Only the finest artisans are used to create this decanter, because the platinum brushstrokes don’t become visible until the ceramic has been fired. A true work of art, both inside and out.
Clase Azul Mezcals: Refined Gifts for Adventurous Spirits
Mezcal shows another side of agave spirits, and of the terroir of Mexico. Where tequila is made from one type of agave (Blue Weber) and mostly grown in one place (Jalisco), mezcal employs many varietals of agave, grown all over the country. The agave is also cooked differently, which can impart more smoky and herbal notes than a typical tequila. If tequila shows up at your door in a tuxedo, mezcal might arrive in a motorcycle jacket. Accordingly, these all make great gifts for your more adventurous friends and loved ones. Clase Azul’s trio of mezcals, all unaged, hail from three different regions of Mexico, and together show the breadth of agave spirits. Clase Azul Mezcal Durango, distilled from cenizo agave found in the semi-arid highlands, has an agave-forward flavor with hints of smoke and fresh rosemary. It comes packaged in an elegant black decanter, with individually applied colored beads on the cap creating beautiful floral and geometric designs.
Clase Azul Mezcal Guerrero comes from a more humid part of the highlands and is made from papalote agave native to the area. This full-bodied mezcal imparts flavors of freshly cut wood, seaweed, lemon juice, pepper, and light notes of tobacco—almost the agave equivalent of a peated whiskey. Its decanter is perhaps the most technically complex of the entire Clase Azul lineup, taking up to 10 days to create each one. Its vibrant cap features representations of hummingbirds applied using traditional lacquering techniques. Clase Azul Mezcal San Luis Potosi is made with green agave, native to the deserts in the state of San Luis Potosí. It showcases herbal and mineral notes, with hints of caramel, lime zest, clove, and a spicy finish. The striking red decanter features a cap illustrating a desert landscape of mountains and valleys overflown by bright red finches, handmade using a technique of colored yarn appliqué.
Mix Up a Minty Holiday Cocktail With Clase Azul
A decanter of Clase Azul is, as we’ve established, a great gift, but you don’t want to be without it yourself, especially if you’re hosting holiday parties or get-togethers. In addition to twists on holiday classics (tequila eggnog, anyone?), the Minted Mirth is a fun and festive cocktail that’s easy to make. Here’s how:
Ingredients:
3/4 oz Clase Azul Reposado
1/2 oz white créme de cacao
1 oz green créme de menthe
1 oz half and half
Mint sprig and nutmeg (for garnish)
Method:
Add all ingredients (minus the garnish) to an ice-filled shaker. Shake well and double strain into a coupe glass. Add a pinch of grated nutmeg on top and garnish with mint sprig.
To learn more about Clase Azul, including its limited-edition agave spirits and its destination and boutiques in Mexico, go to claseazul.com.
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