Trends and drinks to look out for in 2015- Part 1

Posted by System Administrator Monday 12th January 2015 2 Comment(s) Sláinte,
2014 was a slightly worrying year for the big spirits producers. Established and emerging markets saw a decline in sales of traditional standards such as Scotch whiskey and Cognac. Happily we are set to see another record year for Irish whiskey sales but what else are the taste makers predicting to sell in 2015?
 
 
Tequila and Mezcal- The Ones To Watch in 2015
 
For many years, tequila carried a reputation by most to be drank in the form of a ‘shot’ or ‘slammer’ in night clubs by students.  The sole intention of getting drunk., very drunk….and fast! This may have been accompanied by some lemon and salt, but then again, the customer wasn’t overly too fussy. Thankfully, there has been a gradual movement away from this trend and a steady rise in the number of traditionally minded artisan tequilas being produced, and also a much wider availability of Mexican-owned brands that lack big marketing budgets. It could be said that there has never been a better time to appreciate quality tequila. 
 
So, what exactly is Tequila and what separates the good from the bad?
 
Tequila is a spirit native to Mexico, made primarily in dry and dusty lowlands and wet highlands outside of Guadalajara, in the state of Jalisco. Jalisco, is one of five states of Mexico with the correct denomination of origin to produce the spirit. The blue agave used to make the spirit must be grown in one of these five states, and the entire manufacturing operation must also be located here. Ageing is not as important here as it is with whiskey. Some un-aged Tequilas can be both delicious and expensive, but if you want a mellow and smooth tasting spirit then Reposado (rested) and Anejo (aged) are better alternative. 
 
Mezcal is a more feral and untamed creature, although for many it offers more variety and bigger flavours. It could loosely be termed the ‘single malt’ of Mexican spirits but that would be doing a disservice to Tequila. In fact, all Tequilas are essentially a sub-group of Mezcal. Whilst Tequila can only be made from the Blue Agave, Mezcals can be made from a wider variety of plants and are not limited to just one region. 
What sets Mezcal apart is that it is made in a more handcrafted manner in small houses known as fábricas or palenques. Each distillery has its own traditions and an individual style. Agave hearts are often roasted in earthen pits which sometimes end up giving the finished product a uniquely smoky taste. Other practices are a little more challenging to fathom out. Sometimes the stills are charged with food stuffs such as apple, mango, cloves or cinnamon and even in some cases chicken or duck breast. Yes, really. These Mezcals are quite rare and are known as Pechuga. 
Ageing is similar to that of Tequila but un-aged versions would be the most common form of Mezcal.
 
The Irish Connection
 
Last year saw the completion of a deal between Irish based Diageo and the goliath of the Tequila world, Jose Cuervo. This was essentially a crafty swap of brands between the two with Diageo losing Bushmills whiskey but gaining several premium Tequila brands. For Jose Cuervo this meant gaining a foothold in the ever expanding Irish whiskey sector.
As an outsider I was original slightly baffled at Diageo’s decision to off-load Bushmills, however what it gained was a sizable chunk of a category that saw a 16% rise in exports last year. China is the most promising area even though it is officially going through a recession. As always the US has a huge thirst for Tequila and this is expected to move in to the more premium and ‘ultra-premium’ range with an increasing amount of celebrity endorsements expected to drive sales into the higher price range. 
 
So, this year expect to see Diageo owned Don Julio in a lot more bars, and perhaps a decent selection of Mezcals also. 
 
Our favourites:
 
Don Julio Reposado €66.99
Perfectly balanced with subtle oak flavours, vanilla and citrus. Great on its own as a sipping tequila.
 
Alipus San Juan Mezcal €69.99
This will no doubt appeal to drinkers of smoky Scotch whiskies. The San Juan is made solely from the Espadin Agave and has distinct flavours of wood smoke, tropical fruits and a pleasant sweetness.