On Wednesday, Patrón  announced the launch of Patrón 100, its first still strength expression.

Also known as distilled-to-proof tequila, the liquid within is bottled at 50% ABV, laying on the higher end of tequila proofs. It is described as an out-and-out celebration of all things Blue Weber agave, and boasts additional special significance as Patrón’s first expression to exclusively use a traditional stone wheel (tahona) in its production process. 

Agave purists maintain that use of the wheel helps yield the freshest, most vegetal tequila flavor. In the past, the brand has typically used it in tandem with a more industrialized roller mill.

Commercial tequila in the U.S. is typically cut with water in order to achieve the U.S. minimum of 40% ABV. In Mexico, the majority of retail tequila even hovers around the national minimum of 35% ABV. This is primarily driven by the government's taxation policy, which scales in direct proportion to the alcohol content of distilled spirits.

By maintaining lower alcohol concentrations, producers can not only minimize tax costs, making these spirits more accessible to the general market. Moreover, a standardized ABV helps maintain a specific alcohol-to-flavor ratio that consumers can associate with the spirit.

Still strength tequila, on the other hand, can reach up to the legal limit of 55% ABV.

The brand says the tequila is said to have flavors of cooked agave, minerality, earthiness and black pepper. 

As of this week, Patrón 100 has rolled out nationwide across the U.S. at a suggested retail price of USD$49.99. 

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team