2022 Brands of Promise Winners

Agave Spirit–South Africa GOLD

Año de Los Muertos Agave Spirit [Karoo agave (agave Americana)] 43% ABV, 86 proof

Agave Spirit–Germany GOLD

Selva Negra Agave Spirit 46% ABV, 92 proof

German crafted from salmiana agave “concentrate” grown in Oaxaca, Mexico, by a co-op of agave farmers. Combines the fruity sweetness of agave with the distinctive smoke of the Black Forest Spruce. Distilled in the small town of Botzingen close to the French, Swiss and Italian border.

Agave Spirit Packaging–Germany GOLD

Selva Negra Agave Spirit (Gift box, bottle tube, logo, color scheme–everything!)

Anejo–Aged in Multiple Barrels GOLD

Mijenta Gran Reserva Anejo (NOM 1412) 80 proof; 40% ABV [As/Shop Mijenta website: “…aged for a minimum of 18 months in 4 different oak barrels — American white oak, French oak, French acacia casks and cherry barrels.”]

Anejo

Tequila Atanasio (NOM 1599) 80 proof; 40% ABV PLATINUM (tie)

Carrera (NOM 1465) 80 proof; 40% ABV PLATINUM (tie)

Anger Mgmt (NOM 1468) 80 proof; 40% ABV GOLD

Honor del Castillo (NOM 1414) 80 proof; 40% ABV SILVER

Blowfish (NOM 1438) 80 proof; 40% ABV BRONZE

Anejo–Double Barreled GOLD

Luna Nueva (NOM 1414) 80 proof; 40% ABV [As/spec sheet: French Oak barrels; American White Oak barrels.]

Bacanora Artesanal Aged–Gateway GOLD

Vinateros Reserva 40% ABV, 80 proof. [Aged 2-4 months in charred white oak barrels.] (Estate produced and bottled in the town of Aconchi, Sonora, Mexico.)

Bacanora Packaging GOLD

Vinateros Reserva (label, graphics, artwork, see through graphics)

Blanco

Honor del Castillo (NOM 1414) 80 proof; 40% ABV PLATINUM

El Gran Legado de Vida (NOM 1123) 80 proof; 40% ABV GOLD

Tequila Atanasio (NOM 1599) 80 proof; 40% ABV SILVER

Patsch (NOM 1480) 80 proof; 40% ABV BRONZE (tie)

Carrera (NOM 1465) 80 proof; 40% ABV BRONZE (tie)

General Gorostieta (NOM 1499) 80 proof; 40% ABV BRONZE (tie)

El Cristiano (NOM 1499) 80 proof; 40% ABV BRONZE (tie)

Blanco–European/Mexican bottling 38% ABV GOLD

Tau blanco (NOM 1414) 76 proof; 38% ABV

Blanco Suave GOLD

Inspiro Luna Blanco (NOM 1614) 80 proof; 40% ABV [as/POS: rested in oak barrels for a lunar quarter (7.38 days).]

Destilado de Agave–Oaxaca GOLD

[Destilado de Agave is a term that is used to label a spirit that is distilled from agave but the spirit, batch, or producer is not registered to legally label it Mezcal or Tequila or any other name that has a set of rules and regulations defined by a Denomination of Origin (DO). Other names for this include Aguardiente de Agave or Destilado de Maguey.]

Comunidad No. 2 – El Lazo joven (agave Americana) 52.69% ABV, 105.38 proof

Extra Anejo–3 years

Cancion (NOM 1472) 80 proof; 40% ABV [Aged 3 years in Bourbon barrels.] GOLD

El Cristiano (NOM 1499) 80 proof; 40% ABV [Aged for 3 years in American oak.] SILVER

Extra Anejo–5 years GOLD

The Bad Stuff 5 Year Extra Anejo (NOM 1460) 80 proof; 40% ABV

Extra Anejo–7 years GOLD

Patsch (NOM 1480) 80 proof; 40% ABV (7 year Extra Anejo)

Extra Anejo–12 years GOLD

The Bad Stuff Doce 12 Year Extra Anejo (NOM 1460) 80 proof; 40% ABV

Infused Blanco Tequila (curado con agave)--80 Proof GOLD

Curado [100% de agave blanco tequila infused with blue agave] (NOM 1474) 80 proof; 40% ABV

Curado [100% de agave blanco tequila infused with agave espadin] (NOM 1474) 80 proof; 40% ABV

Curado [100% de agave blanco tequila infused agave cupreata] (NOM 1474) 80 proof; 40% ABV

Infused Blanco Tequila (Natural Fruit Flavors)--80 Proof GOLD

Querido blanco tequila infused with spicy watermelon (NOM 1605) 80 proof; 40% ABV

[As/ brand owner, Emilio Romo, diffuser on site is only being used as a shredder; no acid hydrolysis.]*

Querido blanco tequila infused with mango (NOM 1605) 80 proof; 40% ABV

[As/ brand owner, Emilio Romo, diffuser on site is only being used as a shredder; no acid hydrolysis.]*

Infused Reposado Tequila–80 proof GOLD

Sandinista reposado infused with Sriracha (red jalapeno peppers, lime and spice blend) (NOM 1124) 80 proof; 40% ABV

Infused Reposado Tequila (Pepper)--80 Proof GOLD

Get Hot (NOM 1548) 40% ABV, 80 proof [Tequila reposado infused with natural flavors (habanero).]

Legacy Organic Tequila GOLD

Tattoo (NOM 1480) [Legacy; Different distillery from anejo.] 80 proof; 40% ABV

Tattoo (NOM 1549) 80 proof; 40% ABV [Legacy; Different distillery from reposado.]

Mezcal Artesanal Medley–Oaxaca GOLD

Firme [Artesanal; espadín and tobala. REGION: Santiago Matatlan.] 46% ABV; 92 proof

Mezcal Artesanal–Santiago Matatlan, Oaxaca GOLD

Los Nahuales joven [Artesanal; espadín (8 year old plants cultivated in La Canada in Santa Maria La Pila, Miahuatlan, Oaxaca.) REGION: Santiago Matatlan.] 47% ABV; 94 proof

Mezcal Artesanal–San Juan del Rio, Tlacolula de Matamoros, Oaxaca GOLD

Lord Diego Mezcal Joven [Artesanal; Espadin; REGION: Tlacolula de Matamoros, Oaxaca, México; Municipality: San Juan del Rio] 49% ABV, 98 proof

Mezcal Artesanal–San Juan del Rio, Oaxaca GOLD

Casa Manglar Joven [Artesanal; Espadin; REGION: San Juan del Rio, Oaxaca, México] 45% ABV, 90 proof

Casa Manglar Joven [Artesanal; Tobala; REGION: San Juan del Rio, Oaxaca, México] 45% ABV, 90 proof

Mezcal Artesanal–Xoxocotlan, Oaxaca GOLD

Dona Loca [Artesanal; espadin); REGION: Xoxocotlan, Oaxaca, México] 48% ABV, 96 proof

Mezcal Artesanal Medley–Santiago Matatlán, Oaxaca GOLD

Madre Mezcal [Artesanal; espadín and cuishe. Possible REGION: Santiago Matatlan.] 45% ABV; 90 proof

Mezcal Artesanal–Tlacolula de Matamoros, Oaxaca GOLD

Salvadores Joven [Artesanal; Espadin; REGION: Tlacolula de Matamoros, Oaxaca, México] 47% ABV, 94 proof

Mezcal Artesanal–Oaxaca 42% ABV GOLD

Susto Mezcal Joven [Artesanal; Espadin; REGION: San Dionisio Ocotepec] 42% ABV, 84 proof

Mezcal Artesanal Gateway–Santiago Matatlan, Oaxaca

Mitre Origen Joven [Artesanal; Espadin] (40% ABV, 80 proof)

Mitre Joven [Artesanal; Espadin; 4 months maturation (in glass?)] (40% ABV, 80 proof)

Madre Mezcal Joven [Artesanal; Espadin] (40% ABV, 80 proof)

Mezcal Artesanal Gateway, Blended–Oaxaca/Zacatecas GOLD

Tomas Reserva [Artesanal; blend of Joven Mezcal Artesanal Espadin (Agave Angustifolia) and Añejo Mezcal Tequilana (Maguey Azul) aged over one year in oak barrels. Considered to be “abocado con madera,” or lightly “touched with wood.”

REGIONS: Espadin, Oaxaca; Maguey Azul (blue agave) Zacatecas, México] 40% ABV, 80 proof

Mezcal Artesanal Karwinski–Tlacolula de Matamoros, Oaxaca GOLD

Salvadores Joven [Artesanal; Cirial (karwinskii); REGION: Tlacolula de Matamoros, Oaxaca, México] 48% ABV, 96 proof

Mezcal Artesanal Medley Suave–Guanajuato 42% ABV GOLD

Código 1530 Mezcal [Artesanal; Ensamble: Espadin/Tobala, rested in French oak Sauvignon Blanc barrels (length unknown). Region: Leon, Guanajuato] 42.2% ABV, 84.4 proof

Mezcal Packaging

Mitre [black jaguar bottle] GOLD

Los Nahuales [bottle resembling a hammered copper still, apothecary stopper, label and information on back label.] SILVER

Lord Diego Mezcal [magnetic box, silver and black motif; logo on the bottle and box; family story (Spanish/English)] BRONZE

No and Lo Alcoholic–Special Entry GOLD

Monday Mezcal (Natural Spring Water, Natural Flavor, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Benzoate.)

Organic Anejo

Nueve Uno (NOM 1426) 80 proof; 40% ABV GOLD

Organic Reposado

Dona Loca (NOM 1480) 80 proof; 40% ABV GOLD

Nueve Uno (NOM 1426) 80 proof; 40% ABV SILVER

Organic Blanco

Nueve Uno (NOM 1426) 80 proof; 40% ABV PLATINUM

Desnuda (NOM 1480) 80 proof; 40% ABV GOLD

Dona Loca (NOM 1480) 80 proof; 40% ABV SILVER

Casa Mate (NOM 1494) 80 proof; 40% ABV BRONZE

Raicilla Artesanal, Medley GOLD

Antonimo Raicilla [a blend of maximiliana (pata de mula) and valenciana; Municipality: La Orilla, Jalisco] 43% ABV, 86 proof.

Raicilla Packaging GOLD

Antonimo (bottle, label info, logo, clean simplicity)

Reposado–Double Barreled in Wine Casks GOLD

Inspiro Rosa Reposado (NOM 1614) 80 proof; 40% ABV [as/website: “We start with our meticulously handcrafted blanco tequila, then we age it in the finest rosé wine barrels from France and finish it in pinot noir wine barrels.”]

Reposado

Patsch (NOM 1480) 80 proof; 40% ABV PLATINUM (tie)

Carrera (NOM 1465) 80 proof; 40% ABV PLATINUM (tie)

Honor del Castillo (NOM 1414) 80 proof; 40% ABV GOLD

Tequila Atanasio (NOM 1599) 80 proof; 40% ABV SILVER

El Cristiano (NOM 1499) 80 proof; 40% ABV BRONZE

Reposado–Double Barreled Blended GOLD

Luna Nueva (NOM 1414) 80 proof; 40% ABV [As/spec sheet: French Oak barrels; American White Oak barrels.]

Reposado Cristalino GOLD

Honor del Castillo (NOM 1414) 80 proof; 40% ABV [Reposado Claro]

RTD 100% de Agave Tequila–Ready-to-Drink Margarita GOLD

Drifter Cocktail Company Spicy Margarita

Made with PALADAR BLANCO TEQUILA, TRIPLE SEC FLAVOR, PINEAPPLE JUICE, ORANGE FLAVOR, CHIPOTLE EXTRACT. 7% ABV, 14 proof

RTD 100% de Agave Tequila–8% ABV GOLD

Epic Western–La Paloma (NOM 1531) [Tequila, sparkling water, grapefruit, salt.]

Epic Western–Chispa Rita (NOM 1531) [Tequila, sparkling water, lime, salt.]

RTD–Energy Drink GOLD

ProBaller (made with Organic Light Agave Nectar, lower sugars and stimulants designed to sustain and maintain energy.) Also, designed to pair with tequila.

RTD–With Mixto Tequila

SipMargs (Classic Sparkling Margarita; Sparkling Mango Margarita; Sparkling Coconut Margarita; Sparkling Mezcal Margarita) [Tequila {Mezcal} with triple sec, natural lime sparkling water and natural flavors {coconut flavors} 5% ABV 10 proof; no NOM number on the label; canned in the US.] GOLD

Chido (Sea Salt Margarita, Pink Paloma, Strawberry Sunset, Spicy Watermelon)

[Tequila with sparkling water and natural flavors; 5% ABV 10 proof; no NOM number on the label; canned in the US.] SILVER

RTD–100% de Agave Tequila 6% ABV GOLD

MEXI Seltzer–Aloe & Mint Craft Tequila Seltzer (NOM 1414) [100% Agave Silver Tequila with Carbonated Well Water, Real Fruit Juice and Natural Flavors]

MEXI Seltzer–Tamarindo Craft Tequila Seltzer (NOM 1414) [Same]

MEXI Seltzer– Guava Spice Craft Tequila Seltzer (NOM 1414) [Same]

RTD–100% de Agave Tequila 5% ABV GOLD

Onda Sparkling Tequila Lime (NOM 1438) [Tequila with natural flavors and sparkling water.] 5% ABV, 10 proof

Onda Sparkling Tequila Grapefruit (NOM 1438) [Tequila with natural flavors and sparkling water.] 5% ABV, 10 proof

RTD–100% de Agave Tequila, Industrial 8% ABV GOLD

Laughing Glass Lime Margarita (NOM 1489) 8% ABV;16 proof)

Laughing Glass Pink Paloma (NOM 1489) 8% ABV;16 proof)

RTD Organic–100% de Agave Organic Tequila Ready-to-Drink Seltzers GOLD

Damn Right Devil of a Lime Organic Tequila Seltzer (NOM 1522) 5% ABV;10 proof)

Damn Right Son of a Basil Organic Tequila Seltzer (NOM 1522) 5% ABV;10 proof)

RTD Ready-to-Drink Packaging

Damn Right Son of a Basil Organic Tequila Seltzer (color scheme, logo, text) GOLD

Chido Sea Salt Margarita, Pink Paloma, Strawberry Sunset, Spicy Watermelon. (box, color scheme, design) SILVER

Onda (color scheme of can, color of font, simplicity of design) BRONZE

Sotol Joven Artesanal 42% ABV–Chihuahua GOLD

XXX Sotol [Artesanal; 100% Dasylirion wheeleri] 42% ABV; 84 proof.

Sotol Joven Artesanal 45.5% ABV–Durango GOLD

Quechol [Artesanal; Dasylirion Wheeleri] 45.5% ABV, 91 proof

Sotol Joven Artesanal 45% ABV–Chihuahua GOLD

Chihuahuan Desert Sotol [Artesanal; Dasylirion wheeleri (?)] 45% ABV, 90 proof.

Sotol Joven Artesanal 46.3% ABV–Durango GOLD

Quechol [Artesanal; Dasylirion Texanum] 46.3% ABV, 92.6 proof

Sotol Joven Artesanal Gateway–Chihuahua GOLD

Casa Medanos Joven blanco [Artesanal; 100% Dasylirion wheeleri] 40% ABV; 80 proof.

Sotol Packaging

Quechol GOLD

Casa Medanos SILVER

XXX Sotol BRONZE

Sotol Reposado (Suave) Artesanal 42% ABV–Chihuahua GOLD

XXX Sotol Reposado (Suave?) [Artesanal; 100% Dasylirion wheeleri] Rested in Tequila Barrels 42% ABV; 84 proof. [Length of time unknown]

Sotol Reposado Artesanal 42% ABV–Chihuahua GOLD

XXX Sotol Reposado [Artesanal; 100% Dasylirion wheeleri] Rested in Bourbon Barrels 42% ABV; 84 proof. [Length of time unknown]

Tequila Artesanal/Ancestral GOLD

El Baston del Rey (B, R, A, XA) (NOM 1474) 80 proof; 40% ABV [As/ John Miller:

“...the biggest difference in our flavor comes from the way we cook the agave. Instead of steaming it in an autoclave for 8 or 10 hours, we slow roast the agave for about 3 days.”

“The ovens are above ground. Again, we use lower temperatures than others use to get the longer roast that we use, and we add some smoke from robles wood chips (that add a little smoke to the ovens) to simulate the flavor that we originally got from using the below ground method.”

As for roasting the tequila, I’ll go back and fill in some gaps on how BDR came into being. Its roots are with a gentleman who started the brand. His family had made Raicilla for about 70 years, and after getting some training as a young chef in the States, he came back to Mexico and tried to experiment with his family’s Raicilla techniques to make tequila. Initially, that involved roasting the agave in the type of pits that you mentioned, and he brought this technique to Laticia Hermolsillo’s family to start making the tequila at her distillery.”

“When I got involved about 7 years ago, they were still cooking 80 to 100 tons of agave in a super large pit at the factory. However, when they started doing a lot of remodeling at the distillery, we were required to close up the pit for environmental reasons (which we were happy to do). Since then, we have tried different cooking methods that replicates the flavor that we would get from the original process. At this point, the distillery has made a lot of improvements, and they now have an “oven” that we can use to roast the agave. (I think I can use that term properly as carrots or beets are “roasted” in an oven.) The temperature of the oven is reduced so that we can cook the agave for a longer period than normal without overcooking the agave, and we add just a touch of smoke using robles chips that are placed in the oven.”

Given this info, the judges thought it would be unfair to compare this tequila with the more mainstream brands in other categories.

Tequila Extra Anejo Packaging

The Bad Stuff Doce 12 Year Extra Anejo (etched bottle, box, logo and presentation) GOLD

El Baston del Rey (foil label, raised lettering) SILVER

Tequila Legacy 100% de agave GOLD

[10 years or more in existence; first time submission.]

AsomBroso (NOM 1459) La Rosa Reposado 80 proof; 40% ABV

AsomBroso (NOM 1459) Gran Reserva 5 year Extra Anejo 80 proof; 40% ABV

Tequila Legacy Value–100% de agave GOLD

[10 years or more in existence; first time submission.]

[Pricing extends from $17-$24 for both expressions at online retailers.]

El Ultimo Agave blanco (NOM 1522) 40% ABV, 80 proof

El Ultimo Agave reposado (NOM 1522) 40% ABV, 80 proof

Tequila Liqueur GOLD

Rock N Roll Strawberry Tequila Liqueur (NOM 1499) [Made with silver 100% agave tequila and artificial flavor.] 32% ABV, 64 proof.

Tequila Mixto GOLD

Cantaros de Miel blanco (NOM 1424) [No info on the mixture of agave vs. sugar] 80 proof; 40% ABV

Cantaros de Miel joven [abocado] (NOM 1424) [No info on the mixture of agave vs. sugar] 80 proof; 40% ABV

Tequila Packaging

Bajarriba (bottle shape and painted map of Baja California) PLATINUM (tie)

Blowfish (bottle, stopper, medallion, etc.) PLATINUM (tie)

Patsch (bottle, brass knuckle handle, spiked stopper and cork) GOLD

General Gorostieta (box, bottle, logo, label, quote on inside of label) SILVER

Nueve Uno (Bottle, cork and top, logo, molded agave pina on the base, logo medallion on the front of the bottle) BRONZE

Value Mezcal GOLD

Casa Manglar [Espadin: $32.99-$34.99 (CA)- $39.99 (TX)]

Casa Manglar [Tobala $44.99 (CA); $69.99 (TX)

Value Tequila GOLD

Verdadero ($36.99-$38.99) [Texas only 11/15/21]