Clase Azul has added a sixth Tequila to its portfolio (comprising of five existing tequilas and three mezcals), influenced by ancient methods of mezcal-making.

The new Clase Azul Tequila Blanco Ahumado offers a fresh, smoky take on tequila, featuring a delicate whisper of smoke and flavour profile that remains deeply rooted in Los Altos de Jalisco, the very heartland of Clase Azul México.

A unique method with ancient origins is employed in its making: Blue agave cores are cooked in a pit oven dug into the earth, heated by firewood and volcanic rocks. Crucially, the flames do not directly touch the agave; rather, heat is transmitted by the rocks to cook the agave, imbuing the resulting tequila with its delicate smoky profile.

After extraction, the agave juice and fibres are introduced to Clase Azul's exclusive yeast, developed from wild strains sourced directly from their agave fields. The liquid is then double-distilled in specially crafted copper stills.

In traditional Clase Azul fashion, the bottle is also a work of art with the use of unique materials specifically chosen to evoke the traditional methods used to create the spirit.

The decanter bears semi-opaque glass that hints at the smoke from the cooking process, while the textured dark ceramic base is a nod to the volcanic rocks that cook the agave. The copper-coated cap and emblem pay tribute to the stills used for distillation.

“Looking to achieve a smoky profile for this Tequila, I set out to capture the essence of traditional mezcal-making, reinterpreting each stage of the process to elevate the unique character of the Blue agave, but this time through a deliberate act.”

– Viridiana Tinoco, master distiller at Clase Azul México

Official tasting notes mention aromas of smoked agave, fresh plum and red apple. On the palate, it presents notes of fresh lemon with a mineral front that gives way to a silky finish with smoky undertones.

Bottled at 45% ABV, the Clase Azul Tequila Blanco Ahumado will be available late this month of June at MSRPs of $250 (in the US) and £325 (in the UK). 

88 Bamboo Editorial Team