Chinaco

- TAMAULIPAS, MEXICO / TEQUILERA LA GONZALEÑA -

TERROIR-DRIVEN TEQUILA FROM TAMAULIPAS THAT REVOLUTIONIZED PREMIUM TEQUILA IN THE UNITED STATES

THE CHINACO WARRIOR SPIRIT | Chinacos were wealthy landowners during the 18th and 19th centuries who, out of necessity, became legendary fighters. The Chinaco warriors tirelessly defended Mexico during both the War of Reform and the French Intervention in the mid-1800s. Their leader was General Manuel González, and the history of Tequilera La Gonzaleña, producer of Chinaco Tequila, begins in 1856 when General González acquired land in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas.

Almost a century later, in 1966, a hurricane devastated the plantations of Tamaulipas, leading residents to plant alternative and more lucrative crops. Blue agave was an ideal option, as it was in growing demand and well-suited to the climate and soil conditions of the region. Guillermo González, the great-grandson of General Manuel González, was Mexico’s Secretary of Agriculture at the time. He agreed to sell the region’s blue agave plants to a major tequila producer in Jalisco, the only Mexican state that could legally produce tequila at the time. When the agave plants matured eight years later, the tequila producer refused to pay Guillermo González the agreed-upon price. Left with no buyers for the agave, and refusing to sell them for less than promised, González became a warrior in his own right. He battled against the larger distillers and successfully lobbied the Mexican government for an amendment that would allow for tequila production outside of Jalisco.

After four years of petitioning, Tamaulipas received Denomination of Origin status and this gave rise to Tequilera La Gonzaleña in 1977, the first tequila distillery in Tamaulipas and home of Chinaco Tequila.

A TAMAULIPAS EXPRESSION OF TEQUILA | Chinaco uses agave farmed in Tamaulipas as much as possible, as the distillery finds it is richer in flavor and intensity. This is due to the soil, which is close to the ocean and high in mineral concentration. High elevation farming also contributes to the complexity. Farming at elevations reaching 5,000 feet allows for greater phenolic ripeness, imparting a spiciness and herbal quality while maintaining acidity. Chinaco farms some of its own agave, but primarily sources it from local farmers with whom the distillery has longstanding relationships.

Sourcing agave from Tamaulipas is not without its challenges. Weather, particularly hurricanes, can significantly hurt local agave production, and political instability in the region adds further complications. The past 10 years have been particularly challenging for the region, and approximately 10% of the agave used in production was sourced from Jalisco to bridge the gap.

THE FIRST PREMIUM TEQUILA IN THE US | In 1983, Chinaco made another pioneering effort when it became the first premium tequila in the United States. The status quo for tequila at the time was to use less agave and add sugar, and the emergence of Chinaco paved the way for the modern premium tequila revolution to take place, with David Wondrich naming it the “#1 Most Influential Spirits Brand of the Last 25 Years” in Wine & Spirits Magazine.

#1 MOST INFLUENTIAL SPIRIT OF THE LAST 25 YEARS

- David Wondrich on Chinaco Añejo -

CHINACO TEQUILA | The hearts of ripe agave are harvested, quartered and roasted in autoclave at low temperatures for approximately 12 hours, which is how it’s been done at Chinaco since the beginning. The hearts are then pressed and shredded in an old molino (sugarcane press). Fermentation occurs in stainless steel vessels, using the same proprietary ambient yeasts since Chinaco’s inception in 1973. The aguamiel is inoculated, fermenting at ambient temperatures for about 72 hours. This long, slow fermentation process with the proprietary yeast contributes to the fruitiness and floral aromatics inherent to Chinaco Tequila. Distillation is overseen by Master Distiller Esther Hernandez, who has been at the distillery for 40 years. Distillation takes place in two copper-lined alembic stills, both purchased in the 1970’s and still in operation. Chinaco does not add caramel coloring, oak extract, glycerin or sugar to manipulate its tequila.

CHINACO TEQUILA BLANCO Chinaco Blanco is bottled within 30 days after distillation and delivers a remarkably fresh, clean taste. This 100% agave tequila has a full, mellow character. The briny minerality and botanical florality make Blanco an outstanding ingredient for cocktails, particularly the Paloma. 40% ABV

“Our top-rated tequila, the Chinaco Blanco...was, simply, a benchmark tequila.” - The New York Times HIGHLY RECOMMENDED | F. Paul Pacult, The Spirit Journal BEST BLANCO TEQUILA & DOUBLE GOLD | Wine & Spirits

Wholesalers of America 2017 CHINACO TEQUILA REPOSADO Chinaco Reposado is unique in that it is barrel-aged eight to 11 months, unlike the many reposados aged in large vats for less

time. 40% ABV 93 POINTS | Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2016

CHINACO TEQUILA AÑEJO Chinaco Añejo is meticulously aged two and a half to three years in oak barrels to achieve its remarkably smooth and complex character, and should be sipped on its own. 40% ABV

94 POINTS | Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2016

CHINACO CRISTALINO Chinaco Anejo Cristalino embodies the rich, complex flavor of the Añejo in a liquid that is double filtered to become a clear crystal spirit. Aged two years in European oak barrels to achieve its complex character. 40% ABV

SILVER MEDAL | New York World Wine & Spirits Competition 2018

LEFT | An agave plant in Tamaulipas, with the local terroir producing different characteristics than in agave grown in Jalisco RIGHT | The two copper-lined alembic stills used to make Chinaco