Review: Casamigos Cristalino Tequila
Casamigos Cristalino Tequila was just released. It has been 10 years since George Clooney, Rande Gerber, and Mike Meldman first released Casamigos, and 6 years since they sold the brand to Diageo for $1 Billion. They still remain active in promoting the brand and developing new products. Cristalino is the fastest growing tequila expression and with Casamigos joining the party, that trend is sure to continue. Cristalino, is not currently recognized by Consejo Regulador Del Tequila as a regulated expression. That may explain why some Cristalino tequilas on the market today are made from a Reposado tequila base, some from an Anejo tequila base, some from an Extra Anejo tequila base, and some from a blend of tequilas aged various periods of time. Casamigos Cristalino is made from a reposado tequila base, starting with 100% blue weber agave grown in the rich clay soil in the Highlands of Jalisco. The hand trimmed agave is baked for 72 hours. Once extracted the juice is fermented for 80 hours and double distilled. The tequila is barrel aged in white oak barrels. Casamigos Reposado is aged for 7 months before bottling. It is unclear if the tequila base for Casamigos Cristalino is Casamigos Reposado or a tequila Casamigos has barrel aged 2-12 months. Once matured the tequila is charcoal filtered to remove the golden color and to restore agave flavor while retaining the wood notes of a barrel aged tequila. The aroma leads with roasted agave and oak. Additional time brings out vanilla cream soda, toasted coconut, caramel, and black pepper on the backend. The sweet agave entry is joined by vanilla, caramel, and citrus building to a milky caramel agave peak. It fades with cocoa and finishes with agave, caramel, citrus, toasted coconut, and a sprinkle of pepper.
C&C Old Fashioned
1.5 Oz. Casamigos Cristalino Tequila
.5 Oz. Creme de Cacao
2 Dashes Orange Bitters
Stir Ingredients in Ice filled Glass
Strain Into an Old Fashioned Glass
Add a Large Ice Block
Garnish With a Cocoa Dusted Half Fig
NOM: 1609
40% Alcohol
Highland Region
Score: 93
Award: Gold Medal