A top finding in PaQuí’s consumer research uncovered that while a lot of people love the idea of Tequila, they don’t actually love the actual liquid. So founder John Chappell found a master distiller in Jalisco, Mexico – the highly respected Gilberto Jasso — who knew a different way to make Tequila.
“I created PaQuí because I felt there had to be a better tasting Tequila – one that fully expresses the beautiful aromas and flavors of the blue agave fruit, without the harsh bite that is so common in Tequila,” said PaQuí founder John Chappell. “I wanted to create a Tequila that is a pure pleasure to sip and enjoy in cocktails.”
The word PaQuí means “to be happy” in the Aztec language, and the branding and liquid inside the bottle bring that emotion to life. The bottle design was inspired by an Aztec pyramid and the dancing Mexican warrior on the label in his headdress – but no weapon – inspires fun.
PaQuí Tequila stands out from other luxury Tequilas thanks to three key differentiators in the production process:
- Only agave piñas that reach exactly 26 brix ripeness (sugar level) make the cut. These agave plants take seven or more years to mature; most mass production Tequilas are made with younger, less-ripe agave (as young as four years).
- Fresh wine yeast – not airborne yeast – is used in the fermentation process, for control and consistency over the finished product. PaQuí also uses stainless steel fermentation tanks and pot stills to avoid “off” flavors.
- A selective distillation process goes further than most major brands by separating the “heart” of the distillate to remove impurities that are harsh, bitter substances, allowing the pleasant aromas, fruit, minerals and soft texture to fully emerge.
PaQuí Silvera is unaged, PaQuí Reposado is aged for four months in ex-whisky barrels of American oak, and PaQuí Añejo is aged for 14 months in ex-whisky American oak barrels. Unlike its competitors, there is a great deal of restraint used in the oak aging, retaining the sweet agave fruit of the Silvera.
GSN’s Remarks: Fresh agave nose with a hint of oak. A wisp of smoke on the entry, with a burst of concentrated agave flavor. There is a lot of character to this spirit. Slightly sweet, but also dry; mildly spicy, but also vegetal. The flavor goes on for quite awhile, ending with a minimally tannic and bitter note. You’d swear that this had been aged in oak for at least a few months. This makes for a perfect sipper, but also a rare young tequila that will add a depth of flavor to your cocktails. One note of warning. The cap on the bottle has a sharp metal rim and is also somewhat difficult to remove. Take care when opening the bottle to avoid cutting your hand.
GSN Rating: A
For more information go to: PaQui Tequila
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