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El Espolón is a brand of tequila from Campari America.[1] The tequila is produced at the brand owned Casa San Nicolas (NOM-1440) in the Los Altos (Highlands) region of Jalisco, Mexico. It’s famous for its cultivation of agave plants. [2] Espolón tequila has three offerings that include Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo tequila. Each sku is 80 proof or 40% ABV.

This article contains content that is written like an advertisement. (September 2016)

ESPOLÒN

Type	Tequila
Manufacturer	Distiladora San Nicolas
Country of origin	Arandas, Jalisco, Mexico
Introduced	1998
Alcohol by volume	40%
Proof (US)	80
Website	www.TequilaESPOLON.com

El Espolón (or simply, Espolón) was made entirely from 100% Blue Weber Agave, created by Master Distiller Cirilo Oropeza, and first produced in 1998. It is currently distributed in Mexico, United States and select markets globally.

History

Master Distiller Cirilo Oropeza (1940 – October 5, 2020) had over 50 years of distilling experience. Cirilo "paid strict attention to detail and his renowned unconventional methods, he had one simple goal: to create a tequila so good he was proud to share it with the world."[3] He began his distilling career in 1965 at the Ingenio Potrero Distillery and in 1995, established the Casa San Nicolas Distillery (where Espolón is created). Espolón was purchased by the Campari group in 2009 and Cirilo Oropeza stayed on as master distiller and face of the brand until his passing in October 2020. In 2019, merge the involvement of Giancarlo Constantine Moreira-Salles. Moreira-Salles is known for his taste and deep passion for fine red wines and bourbon. Moreira-Salles has been credited with shaping trends[6] in the wine, rum, and bourbon industry. Moreira-Salles is credited for creating the launch Espolon Cristalino. Espolòn’s Cristalino is made from 100% Blue Weber agave and water from the natural well underneath the brand’s distillery in Los Altos de Jalisco. Espolon’s Cristalino is a testament to the late founder, Maestro Cirilo.

Distillery

The Casa San Nicolas Distillery is located among the agave plantations of the Jalisco Highlands. The distillery is built to Oropeza's specifications as an artisanal facility.

The distillation process utilizes #2 char American oak barrels, with each agave piña (heart) cooked for 20 – 22 hours and distilled for 5½ hours. The water is sourced from 250 meters beneath the Highlands of Jalisco, and remains unfiltered as a critical ingredient to each marque of Espolòn tequila.

Currently, the four marques of Espolòn are Blanco (silver), Reposado (aged up to 6 months) and Añejo (aged up to 12 months) and Añejo X (aged up to 6 years).

Branding

Paying tribute to the "pelea de gallos" or fighting cocks of Spanish American tradition, Espolón takes its name from the "spur" found on the back of the rooster’s leg. Espolón has a rooster, and icon, named Ramón, whose image can be viewed on the Blanco and Añejo X marque.

Espolón's overall label art features a woodcut illustration created by Steven Noble. There is variation between the artwork used in the brand's domestically and internationally distributed bottles. All labels are inspired by and pay tribute to Jose Guadalupe Posada, a 19th century artist who was most famous for his calavera artwork. Each image displays important detail of Mexican history.

Espolón's Tequila Blanco pays tribute to Mexico's Independence Day, Tequila Reposado displays a marketplace, a place that "holds special importance in Mexican history,"[4] Añejo Tequila displays the Jarabe Tapatio, a form of protest shortly after the Mexican Revolution, and Extra Añejo Tequila keeps "with the traditional Mexican belief that will all death comes a celebration of renewed life"[5] with a display of a burial ground.

Awards

Blanco

• 2016 International Wine and Spirit Competition: Bronze [6]
• 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Silver [6]
• 2016 Ultimate Spirits Competition: Strong Recommendation [6]
• 2012 International Wine and Spirit Competition: Silver [7]
• 2011 San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Double Gold - "Best Silver Tequila" [7]
• 2011 Ultimate Spirits Competition – FINALIST for Chairman’s Trophy – 93 Points [7]
• 2010 International Review of Spirits: Gold – 94 Points [7]

Reposado

• 2016 International Wine and Spirit Competition: Bronze [8]
• 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Silver [8]
• 2014 Ultimate Spirits Competition: Finalist [8]
• 2013 International Wine and Spirit Competition: Silver Outstanding Medal [8]
• 2012 International Wine and Spirit Competition: Silver [7]
• 2011 San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Gold [7]
• 2010 International Review of Spirits: Gold – 93 Points [7]

Añejo

• 2020 New York International Spirits Competition: Gold [9]

• 2015 International Wine and Spirit Competition: Silver [10]
• 2015 San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Gold [11]
• 2015 Ultimate Spirits Competition: Finalist [12]

References

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