TEQUILA CASA DRAGONES JOVEN
PETRIT HALILAJ ARTIST EDITION
JALISCO, MEXICO
Why Buy: This exceptional and ultra-rare bottling (just 500 bottles available in the U.S.) shows yet again why the cult favorite Casa Dragones is not just one of the preeminent names in the world of Ultra-premium tequila, but one of only a handful of producers to make sipping tequilas that are truly worth the money. Add in the fact that the bottle was intervened by internationally-recognized and in-demand artist Petrit Halilaj, whose upcoming project is to transform the roof of New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art with a sprawling, sculptural installation, and you have a memorably delicious and one-of-a-kind collectible.
What They're Saying: Such luminaries as Martha Stewart and Eric Ripert have declared themselves devoted fans (the superstar chef even features it at his 3-star Michelin restaurant Le Bernardin, in midtown Manhattan), renowned Enrique Olvera of Pujol says it is “definitely my favorite tequila”, and CNN Travel pronounced Casa Dragones "the best sipping tequila in the world."
Specs: A master blend of 100% pure Blue Agave silver and extra-aged tequila that was matured in new American oak barrels to deepen its complexity and create a soft, silken texture.
The Artist: This is just the fourth Artist Edition Casa Dragones has produced. Halilaj, a Kosovo native, created the unique artwork on the crystal bottle and the signature blue gift box. Most recently, Halilaj’s first solo exhibition in Latin America, “RUNIK” at the Museo Tamayo in Mexico City, showcased how art has not only been his vehicle to travel and learn about the world, but also a medium to express complicated emotions about the history of his homeland and his identity.
The Story: Casa Dragones has been an out-of-the-box smash since not long after it was founded, 15 years ago, in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. The brainchild behind it is Bertha González Nieves, the first-ever woman to earn the certification Maestra Tequilera by the Academia Mexicana de Catadores de Tequila. Though its hometown is in San Miguel de Allende, all agave is sourced from The Valley of Tequila in Jalisco, halfway between Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara. The region is noteworthy for its active and inactive volcanoes, and, as in other volcanic regions, say, Etna (where excellent wines are the norm), the soil makes for infinitely complex, expressive agave. But that's just a starting point, albeit an important one. Casa Dragones honors the superiority of this natural resource by working in small batches, and by heeding the dictates of a slow, laborious, time-tested process that cannot be rushed.
Our Tasting Notes: A strikingly full-bodied tequila, with a richness we seldom see in other tequilas in this ultra-premium category. You'll appreciate the long, pronounced legs, and, even more, the way it coats your tongue without ever clinging. Settle in with it a bit, and savor the way the notes of citrus and flowers that teased at the start are developed more fully as it unfolds, with undertones of spice and overtones, albeit delicate ones, of pear. It finishes cleanly and brightly, with a lingering touch of hazelnut.
ABV: 40% (80 proof).
Fun Fact: Casa Dragones debuted this Artist Edition not at a hotel or restaurant, but at Art Basel, the renowned, days-long extravaganza in Miami that attracts jet-setters from around the globe.
Our Guarantee: We always buy and source directly from the distiller, so rest assured – your tequila will arrive in your hands with pristine provenance. Secure yours today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Summer 2024. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer only valid in CA, FL, NJ, NV, & TX. This offer will expire on Thursday, April 4, 2024.
