So this is billed as Patron as you've never had it before - something the Tequila producer has been heavily focused on in terms of expanding its premium expressions. But premium ain't premium if it isn't actually materially different - and so the new Patron El Cielo (which means "Heaven" in Spanish) is uniquely distilled 4 times instead of the typical 2-3 times that's more the standard practice.

Why does that make a difference? Distillation is the crux of making a spirit, but it's something that's always quite tricky. Distill something more and you achieve more smoothness, yet at the same time you run the risk of stripping out the flavour that makes the spirit taste good. So what do you do? Distillers are always balancing this juggle of texture versus flavour.

And so when Patron says it's cracked the code on producing a more highly distilled Tequila that is able to retain its flavour - you can see why it's raised an eyebrow from folks aplenty. In the world of fine spirits that's the equivalent of saying you get to have your cake AND eat it. Everyone wants it, but few do get it.

So how did Patron do it? According to its Master Distiller David Rodriguez, by distilling Patron's classic silver tequila in the Hacienda distillery's smallest copper pot still, this is indeed possible (we're guessing it's to do with a greater reflux that preserves the body even through the additional distillation, coupled with the greater copper contact from a smaller pot still). Early tasters have even claimed that the Tequila has even a slick of honey that rounds it out - let's see if the Patron El Cielo lives up to the bill.

Let's go!

Patron El Cielo Silver Tequila, 40% ABV - Review

Tasting Notes

Colour: Clear

Aroma: It opens up really rich, accompanied by this earthiness of clay vessels, as well as an aromatic charcoal roasted vegetal quality of eggplants and zucchini. Then there's also this gentle sweetness of raw honey. It's really rich and expressive, and surprisingly rounded. It comes off as a tray of clay fired, charcoal grilled Mediterranean vegetables drizzled in honey.

Taste: It touches the palate with a good creaminess, medium-bodied with a really good intensity and structure - it's very precise with the flavours, translating across all those grilled vegetables or perhaps a ratatouille cooked over a claypot. There's that earthiness of clay that gives it structure and supports the comparatively brighter vegetal notes. It's texture is incredibly creamy and smooth, with the flavours plush yet intense. Great richness here to complete the earthy flavours, and at the same time it's not quite sweet which keeps it refreshing. Not much bite to speak off, it's almost delicate and soft on the palate, and yet rich and intense with flavour.

Finish: The intensity of the flavour carries it all the way to the finish, the flavours persist in its distinctiveness. Really good staying power of the flavours. Here the clay seems to peek out more, with some sweet ash as well, followed by a gentler note of that charcoal smoked Mediterranean vegetables. A stream of honey appears to just hoist up the tail end of the Tequila to give it some brightness and rich sweetness.

My Thoughts

This was smooth, mellow and rounded - and did have that slick of honey! - it was certainly more plush and silky than the classic Patron Silver to quite a remarkable degree. I was quite surprised at how soft and creamy it was, and at the same time the flavours were intact and expressed with a great intensity. From the moment it was poured out, you could pick up all the charcoal grilled Mediterranean vegetables (which also made me think of a Ratatouille) along with the earthiness of clay that was incredibly bold and cohesive. They came together perfectly.

Nevertheless what stood out most to me was the really nice progression it had. It starts off with this plume of earthy, smoky and vegetal qualities on the nose - super rich, intense and cohesive - which then tightens and solidifies on the initial hit on the palate, taking a very distinct and precise form, super concentrated, and then on the finish, it sort of widens out again and mellows out with the introduction of some sweet ash, and of course that final dash of honey that brightens it and gives it a gentle sweetness. I really love it when a spirit is able to convey that textural sensation of complexity in the form of a weaving pattern - it's just absolutely delightful.

On a side note, I think this is a Tequila that will go down very well with Mezcal fans because here there's that smokiness that is more familiar to Mezcals, and yet expressed with less ruggedness and roughness. Here that takes the form of charcoal fired claypots, grilled Mediterranean vegetables, and a drizzle of honey.

Very, very impressive - and I have to say I was very surprised.