As is the case with wine, tequila is a major magnet when it comes to celebrity involvement. Famous faces that include George Clooney, Dwayne Johnson, Nick Jonas and Michael Jordan have all gotten in on the action, but aside from the face in front of the bottle, not much is usually known about the quality of the drink that’s in it. So, wouldn’t it better to go with a proven winner? Someone – or some brand – that’s built a reputation from the ground up for its quality, premium level tequila.
Undoubtedly, tequila is one of the world’s most popularly consumed liquors – an absolute must when it comes to stocking up your home bar. From shots chased with salt and lime, to delicious cocktails like margaritas and palomas, to drinking straight up and savouring its delicious flavours, tequila is everywhere.
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Made only in specific parts of Mexico, tequila is a distilled beverage regulated under Mexican law and must be bottled between 35 and 55 percent ABV. Similar to the way whisky can be broken down into specific categories (like bourbon and scotch), tequila also has its types: blanco, reposado, añejo and extra añejo.
Produced from the sugars found in the blue agave plant, the plant’s core is cooked, which allows for the sugars to be extracted, then fermented, distilled, and sometimes aged. Agave plants from the highlands of Jalisco often yield sweeter and fruitier tasting tequila while plants sourced from the lowlands give a more earthy flavour. The length of time tequila spends in barrel determines the depth of colour and the intensity of wood or oak character in the flavours.
Marco Cedano – a master distiller
When world renowned luxury brand Don Julio needed a master distiller in 1983, Marco Cedano stepped up to the call and helped propel the drink to becoming one of the category’s most famous. Four decades of experience later, Cedano took the tequila world by storm when he embarked on a journey to change the way the world sees tequila.
Marco Cedano brings over 40 years of experience to Tromba.
After a chance meeting with a few keen Canadian businessmen, a new tequila brand was born and Cedano’s son Rodrigo became an essential piece of the plan. With astute business acumen and understanding of branding, the skills were aligned to produce a delicious, premium level tequila.
Tequila Tromba
Named for the intense rainstorms that rejuvenate the rugged highlands of Jalisco, Tromba captures the essence of Marco Cedano’s journey – connecting people to the highlands of Jalisco and the incredible story of agave.
Tromba’s blue agave is harvested after seven years, allowing the plant to mature and build complex flavours. Soil, climate, rainfall, topography, plant-spacing and the tending of the fields all contribute to the characteristics of the agave. Marco and Rodrigo walk the fields selecting agave, measuring maturity and quality by colour, shape, and condition of the leaves (pencas). Immature or sick plants are eliminated from the harvest.
Blanco
Tromba Blanco pours crystal clear into the glass, emitting light aromas of sweet citrus. A balanced, smooth texture on the palate with vibrant flavours of pineapple, caramel and refreshing mint that leads to a clean finish. Forget about the stereotype that all white tequilas are for mixing in cocktails. This is excellent on its own, neat in a glass – worthy of being labeled as a premium tequila.
Reposado
Tromba Reposado is aged for six months in American whiskey barrels for added smoothness. Look for flavours of cacao, toasted nuts, orange and pineapple, followed by a long finish that develops into a smoky woodiness. Well-crafted and harmonious.
Añejo
Tromba Añejo spends over 20 months aging in white American whiskey barrels giving it pronounced aromas of green apples and earthiness. Smooth and warming on the palate, it builds with complex flavours of citrus, stone fruit, vanilla and finishes with a sweet smokiness. The only way to drink añejo tequila is to drink it neat, as if you would drink a nice whisky.
Cocktails
No home bar is ever truly complete without tequila – a vital component in so many traditional and new, inventive cocktails.
Try the Rosé Paloma spritz
Ingredients:
- 1 oz Tromba Blanco
- 0.5 oz Aperol
- 1 oz Fresh Grapefruit Juice
- 3-4 oz Sparkling Rosé Wine
- ¼ cup strawberry slices
Method:
Add ice to a wine glass, add the strawberry slices and pour the Tequila, Aperol and grapefruit juice. Stir well, top with sparkling Rosé wine and give a gentle stir.
Pear Margarita
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Tequila Tromba Blanco
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 3/4 oz orange liqueur
- 2 oz pear nectar
Method:
Add all ingredients to a shaker. Shake, strain and garnish with dehydrated pear.
Also rising in popularity is the ‘Tequila Old Fashioned’, which replaces whiskey with an añejo. Different tequilas with varying flavour profiles allow for versatile tequila twists on classic cocktails, replacing vodka, gin and bourbon within the home bar environment.
