sauza tequila

An Aztec Indian allegedly discovered a milky substance oozing from an agave plant that had been struck by lightning. This substance, known as “Pulque” was consumed by Indians for hundreds of years.

Brand History

An Aztec Indian allegedly discovered a milky substance oozing from an agave plant that had been struck by lightning. This substance, known as “Pulque” was consumed by Indians for hundreds of years.

In the 1500s, the Spaniards brought the technique of distillation. They applied this to make Mezcal from the fermented juice of the agave. All of this happened around the colonial town of Tequila.

1858 Don Cenobio Sauza moved to the town of Tequila to begin work in the industry.

1873 Don Cenobio Sauza bought an old Mezcal distillery where Sauza Tequila is still made today.

1970 Worldwide demand for tequila increased & a partnership was formed between Sauza & the leading Mexican Brandy producer, Pedro Domecq.

1994 Allied Lyons purchased Pedro Domecq; Allied Domecq continued Sauza’s tradition of exporting Mexico’s best tequila.

2005 Fortune Brands Purchase of Allied Domecq brings the Sauza Family into the Maxxium portfolio

2006 Maxxium takes over distribution

 

Production

BLUE AGAVE - Blue Agave Tequilana Weber

Like all other alcoholic products, Tequila is derived from fermentable sugar.
Its source of sugar is the Blue Agave plant.

The Blue Agave, is a member of the mezcal family, which is part of the lily family.

Similar in look to a giant aloe & can reach a height of six feet.

At the heart of the Blue Agave is the “pina” which produces the “aguamiel” or “honey water” that is the source of tequila.

JIMA “The Harvest”

Harvesting of the Agaves occurs when they are perfectly ripe, between 8-12 years. The ‘Jimador’ is responsible for cultivation and harvesting.

Heart of the Agave, or ‘Pina’ is removed by cutting away surrounding leaves

All the leaves from the piña are left in the fields to make good use of the nutrients

The piña looks like a pineapple & weighs 20-80kg. It takes 8kg of Agave to produce 1 Litre of pure tequila

COOKING
The piñas are cut up & slowly steamed in ovens for 24 hours to convert the starches to sugars.

The juice tastes a little like glacé fruit such as dried pineapple.

MILLING
The steamed agaves are then crushed to extract the juice.

FERMENTATION
During fermentation, yeast (& some bacteria) convert the natural sugars to alcohol

The process takes up to 96 hours

At the height of the yeast’s activity, the liquid appears to be boiling rapidly

DISTILLATION
Distillation takes place twice, with the heads & tails cut each time to preserve only the best of the alcohol

1st DISTILLATION - Results in a low proof product akin to a wine or strong beer

2nd DISTILLATION - For aromas. Results in spirit-strength product

AGEING
Reposado (Rested) & añejo (Aged) tequilas are aged in oak barrels.

This calms the fieriness of the spirit & naturally adds colour.

Wood contains tannin, including vanillin, which can impart many different notes such as coffee, chocolate, soy, vanilla, caramel, walnut, & of course wood itself.

 

Brand Information

• Sauza is distinguished by owning its own distillery, thus ensuring total quality control.
• The second largest Tequila in the world
• The No. 2 and fastest growing Tequila brand in Mexico and the USA
• 6th Fastest growing Spirit brand in 2003 (globally).
• 2004 saw 20% growth worldwide for the brand
• Tequila is a growth category in Australia
• Sauza is the #1 brand in the home of Tequila

SAUZA Blanco

• Unaged tequila
• Sauza Blanco is the entry-level brand Ideal for shots, margaritas and cocktails when people prefer a silver tequila

SAUZA Gold

• Unaged tequila, with a hint of caramel added to give it a warm gold colour
• Sauza Gold is the entry-level brand Ideal for shots, margaritas and cocktails

SAUZA Hornitos

• A 100% Blue Agave Reposado tequila.
• 3 months of rest in oak
• A perfect tequila for sipping straight or in simple mixed drinks

SAUZA Tres Generaciones Anejo

• 100% Blue Agave
• Rested more than 3 years in bourbon oak barrels
• Can be enjoyed on its own or in a selected number of refined cocktail recipes

Tasting Notes

SAUZA Blanco

Colour Sparkling clear & colourless
Aroma Bold white pepper and crisp citrus, with hints of Classic agave and floral notes
Body Spirited with a classic sharpness
Taste Spicy white pepper with a slight citrus tartness in balance with a classic dry agave kick
Finish A clean and quick finish, starting with pepper and heat and ending with clean spirited warmth

SAUZA Gold

Aroma Sweet caramel vanilla, with soft oakiness, light agave and pepper notes producing a soft roundness
Body Smooth and round
Taste Mildly sweet with fresh cut oak, balanced with white pepper
Finish A soft medium long finish, slightly sweet but finishing clean

SAUZA Hornitos

Colour Pale gold
Aroma Fresh and fruity, with a light agave and mellow wood
Body Perky and fresh
Taste A complex blend of tastes, with sweet pear, a spicy tingle and a spirity burn
Finish Initially hot, ending with warm and drying oak

SAUZA Tres Generaciones Anejo

Colour Pale antique gold
Aroma Caramel-vanilla sweetness with white pepper spice and subtle oak tones
Body Round, smooth and tingling
Taste A full and balanced blend that starts with a brown sugar sweetness, and fades to soft oak and clean agave.
Finish A lingering warmth that finishes very clean with white pepper and oak dryness

 

Drinks/Serving Suggestions

Sauza is a high quality tequila that can be consumed in shot form or in the perfect classic and or so classic tequila cocktails or long drinks.

Kamikaze

1 shot Sauza Hornitos

1/2 shot Bols Triple Sec
1/2 shot freshly squeezed lime juice Shake all ingredients with ice and fine strain into a shot glass.

Elegante Margarita

1 1/2 shots Sauza Hornitos
1/2 shot Bols Triple Sec
1/2 shot lime cordial
3/4 shot freshly squeezed lime juice
1/2 sugar syrup

Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a coupette glass. Garnish with a lime wedge and salted rim.

Chimayo

2 shots Sauza Hornitos
1 shot Bols crème de cassis
2 shots pressed apple juice

Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a martini glass.

Honey and Mandarin Margarita

a 1 1/2 shots Sauza Hornitos
1/2 shot Bols Triple Sec
1/2 fresh mandarin
1 shot fresh lemon juice
5ml sugar syrup
25ml runny honey

Muddle fruit into the honey and sugar syrup in a Boston.

Add other ingredients and shake and strain into a salt rimmed martini glass.

Pear and Elderflower Cocktail

1 1/2 shots Sauza Hornitos
1/2 shot Bols Triple Sec
5 ml fresh lime juice
White pear juice
Several drops elderflower cordial
Fresh lime

Pour Alcohol over ice.

Fill with juice, float elderflower cordial and squeeze lime to finish.

Margarita

1 1/2 shots Sauza Hornitos Tequila
1 shot Bols Triple Sec
1/2 shot freshly squeezed lime juice

Shake ingredients with ice and strain into a martini glass which has been delicately rimmed with salt on the outside only.

Vanilla Brulee

2 shots Sauza 3 G's
1/2 shot cherry liqueur
1 bar spoon vanilla sugar syrup
2 dashes Fee Brothers Orange Bitters

Stir and fine strain all ingredients into a chilled rocks glass.

 

For further information please visit the following sites

www.sauzatequila.com
www.hornitostequila.com

 

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