Tequila Herradura

Originality. Passion. Authenticity.

SINCE 1870, TEQUILA HERRADURA HAS BEEN HAND HARVESTED AND ESTATE BOTTLED WITH AN UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO CRAFTING THE WORLD’S FINEST TEQUILA. IT IS CREATED USING A PROPRIETARY, TRADITIONAL PRODUCTION PROCESS THAT RESULTS IN A TEQUILA OF UNSURPASSED QUALITY.

Jimadors harvesting the matured Agave plants in the Casa Herradura fields. THE LEGEND OF TEQUILA HERRADURA began when its founder, Aurelio Lopez, was out inspecting the agave fields and saw a glint of silver on the dusty ground in the distance. When he picked up the gleaming object, it was a horseshoe which had caught the sunlight at the perfect angle.

It may not have been a treasure, but for Mexicans a horseshoe represents a symbol of good fortune and protection, so Aurelio decided to name his tequila ‘Herradura’, Herradura meaning horseshoe in Spanish. It is no coincidence that every bottle of Herradura produced today bears this enduring iconic symbol.

The hand harvested Piñas, the heart of the agave plant, are cooked for up to 26 hours in traditional clay ovens. High pressure cookers that speed up the process are not used. Only the natural occurring air-borne yeasts from the citrus trees of the Hacienda are used in Herradura’s fermentation process, providing the tequila with a unique flavour profile unlike any other.

At Casa Herradura they make their tequila in small pot stills. According to their time honored tradition, they double distill to a low proof. This slow, careful method ensures that they craft a unique character that showcases the subtle flavours of cooked agave.

Herradura tequilas are then aged in toasted and charred American white oak barrels to develop additional depth of character and flavour. Only after approval from their Master Distiller - Mexico’s first female Tequila Master Distiller Maria Teresa Lara, are Herradura tequilas bottled on the estate maintaining its exceptional quality. Tequila Herradura is a prime example original tequila profile from the land where tequila was born. The Amatitan Land.

The story of Herradura is a story of familial legacy passed from one generation to the next. An almost equal number of Matriarchs as Patriarchs have ruled the Casa. In each successive

generation, family members have shown their devotion to the code of family. In the Revolution, as one Patriarch was being hunted by the government, the last thing he did before escaping was turn the running of the Casa over to another family member, determined to make sure Herradura was continuously produced in the same, exceptional way.

Later, another Patriarch took a stand and said Herradura must always be made with 100 per cent agave – even as other tequila makers looked to easier, cheaper alternatives. The family has always maintained strong ties to generations of workers at the Casa - always fiercely loyal and protective, and they have been bold innovators in tequila – taking chances on an idea when others would not, with their eyes always on the future.

Herradura has been made by a long line of Dons and Doñas– both men and women, that believed in and followed values of their family. Those same values of determination, independence, vision, and natural authority can be found in every drop of Herradura.

In 2007, Casa Herradura was sold to Brown-Forman Corporation, a family run company also established in the 1870’s who share the same core values and who promised to uphold the heritage and authenticity of Herradura tequilas.

Herradura is made in only one place in the small town, Amatitán, Jalisco, Mexico – and they still make it using an unchanged process – time tested since 1870. This authentic method blends hand craftsmanship, traditional methods, creativity and a little bit of chance to make Herradura a one of a kind original. Herradura always uses 100 per cent Blue Weber agave that is grown on the estate. The agave is carefully selected at just the right moment, using methods passed down one generation to the next. Agave is hand cut by the Jimadors, using a technique hundreds of years old, learned through an apprenticeship.

Natural fermentation is allowed through the use of air born yeast from the Hacienda’s citrus groves and agave fields, ensuring a unique signature of tequila Herradura. Traditional stone ovens are used to cook the agave plants – these same type of ovens have been found in archeological digs thousands of years old. And finally, Herradura uses a pot still distillation process that helps give their tequila its distinctive taste.

Casa Herradura is a place where mystery and myth collide with reality. A place where ghostly conquistadores march through the agave fields, rumors of a fortune in buried Spanish gold abound, Indian myths are retold, Spirit guides roam free, and el Dragon rushes through miles of hidden tunnels beneath the town of Amatitán. Who knows if these legends are true, but it really doesn’t matter. There is something in the air here – you can’t see it but you can feel it.

It’s undefined, you can’t quite put your finger on it but you sense it permeating Casa Herradura – magical, spiritual and enchanting.

Herradura has been made at the Casa continuously since 1870. It is the last remaining tequila producing hacienda on earth. The last hold out of original tequila making – part tradition and part magic goes into making their unique, artisanal tasting tequila that is enjoyed the world over. More than 145 years since its inception Herradura continues to be Mexico’s leading ultra premium 100 per cent agave tequila. Acclaimed as innovators in the category for creating the first ever rested (reposado) tequila.

Tequila is the drink of Mexico and it comes with a great deal of national pride. It has been said that Mexico is tequila and tequila is Herradura. Herradura is a unique expression of Mexico’s signature national drink and thus is part of the cultural fabric of Mexico. Casa Herradura is located in, Amatitán, the heartland of tequila’s birthplace – part of the lore of both historic and modern Mexico. ❧

The flavour profiles of each expression are determined by the amount of time the liquid is aged in American white oak barrels. Herradura’s portfolio has earned numerous accolades for taste and quality.

Tasting notes

PLATA

Appearance: Pale straw

Aroma: Herbal, cooked agave and fruit, with a light presence of vanilla and wood

Flavour: Sweet, mild cooked agave, with a touch of oak REPOSADO

Appearance: Amber with shades of copper

Aroma: Cooked agave with a touch of anise, fruit and spices

Flavour: Smooth with sweet notes of cooked agave, vanilla, butter and dried fruit AÑEJO

Appearance: Amber with shades of copper

Aroma: Intense aroma of cooked agave and notes of spices, toasted oak with nuts

Flavour: Smooth with cooked agave, notes of dried fruit and toasted oak ULTRA

Appearance: Platinum

Aroma: Subtle notes of cooked agave with hints of caramel, vanilla, wood, honey, dried fruits, and toasted almonds

Flavour: Created for those who love the energy of tequila but are looking for a sweeter, smoother taste SELECCIÓN SUPREMA

Appearance: Intense amber color with shades of copper

Aroma: Intense cooked agave, spices and floral notes

Flavour: Complex balance between cooked agave, vanilla, toasted oak and dried fruit

Signature serve

TOMMY’S MARGARITA

Glass: Rocks

Ingredients: 45ml Herradura Plata 30ml Fresh lime juice 15ml Herradura Agave nectar

Garnish: Lime wedge

Method: Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker, fill with ice and shake vigorously for 10 seconds. Pour all ingredients (including ice) into a large rocks glass rimmed with flaked sea salt. Use pink sea salt for best results