FEATURED TEQUILA

Currently Featuring:
HIJO PREDILECTO EXTRA AÑEJO TEQUILA

Hijo Predilecto Tequila is produced at Distillery Tequilera Puerta de Hierro (NOM 1477) located in the town of El Arenal, Jalisco. The name of the distillery translates to "The Iron Gate". With three generations of experience, Gildardo Partida Melendrez heads up this family-run operation.

Hijo Predilecto is made from 100% blue agave grown in lowland farms around Amatitan and El Arenal. Harvested at the age of 8 years old, the piñas are slow-roasted for a day using a traditonal stone oven, then left to cool another 24 hours. The cooked piñas are cycled 3 times through a small chop-and-press shredder to extract the sweet juices. These juices, also known as aguamiel, are then pumped into stainless steel tanks where natural yeast is added. Fermentation takes about 4 days. Following a double-distillation process, the tequila is aged for 5 years in medium-charred French Oak barrels that were previously used for wine. The extended aging of this tequila aids in the development of intense aroma and flavor.

Tequilera Puerta de Hierro is a small-batch manufacturer strongly focused on quality. Cava de Oro, Caramba, Adrenalina and Alma de Mujer 100% blue agave tequilas are also produced at this facility. Their prized Hijo Predilecto Extra Añejo was limited to 1000 bottles. The etched porcelain container is artistic and unique. It comes in a stylish case along with two long-stem tequila glasses. Each bottle and case are individually marked to identify the serial number. Pictured here is number 3 of 1000.

This tequila has a deep amber color with warm copper tones. It has a sweet fruity aroma of pear and cherry with hints of candied and caramel apple. The consistency is rich and creamy and the flavors are complex.

We found sweet flavors of honey, cherry and pear along with grape, vanilla and oak notes. The finish is very long with a hint of spice left on the tongue. This tequila is well-balanced and really quite wonderful; one of the best we have sampled. Tequila Connection gives this tequila a score of 9.57 converting to a rating of Excellent! If you can find it, we highly recommend you give it a try. You may find a bottle at Tequila Town Liquor in Cancun, if there are any left.