LOUISVILLE, KY (Sept. 15, 2020) – Fans of Buffalo Trace Distillery’s highly regarded Antique Collection will have even more reason to celebrate this fall. Corazón Tequila is announcing the 2020 release of its limited line of Expresiones del Corazón, a unique lineup of barrel-aged tequila expressions which will arrive in stores in October. This year the lineup includes William Larue Weller Añejo, Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Añejo and George T. Stagg Añejo, all of which were aged in barrels that previously held coveted Antique Collection whiskies from Buffalo Trace Distillery. Also part of the lineup is the Artisanal Blanco.
The William Larue Weller Añejo was aged 15 months in William Larue Weller bourbon barrels. This tequila tastes of chocolate, intense vanilla, nut, eucalyptus and chamomile. Only 1,675 bottles of this tequila were produced.
George T. Stagg Añejo was aged 22 months in George T. Stagg barrels, and tastes of cinnamon, chocolate and green apple. Just over 3,000 bottles of this añejo were produced for this release.
Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Añejo was aged 19 months in Thomas H. Handy barrels and has a smooth, lightly sweet flavor and a dense texture with a soft, harmonious finish. A total of 4,311 bottles of this tequila were produced this year.
The Artisanal Blanco was held for 60 days in stainless steel, and with less aging, brilliantly expresses the terroir in the tequila. This expression has a sweet, soft, mint, eucalyptus and slightly tangy taste.
Many factors play a role in the creation of these tequilas, yet inside the barrel is where all the magic takes place. That is what makes the Expresiones del Corazón line so unique. These tequilas were aged in barrels that once held some of the most sought-after whiskies, each of which imparted its own unique flavor, creating one-of-a-kind tequilas.
The Corazón brand, which falls under the Sazerac umbrella, is produced in Los Altos de Jalisco at the Casa San Matías Distillery, which has more than 130 years of tequila making experience. That tequila-making wisdom paired with Buffalo Trace Distillery’s renowned whiskey-making expertise creates an exciting new lineup for this sixth release of Expresiones del Corazón.
The Expresiones del Corazón line has garnered a number of top awards over the years for various limited release expressions. Sazerac Rye Añejo was just named "Best Añejo" at the 2020 World Tequila Awards. Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Añejo was awarded a Gold medal at the 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and at the 2018 Los Angeles International Spirits Competition, and was deemed “Excellent, Highly Recommended” with 92 points at the 2019 Ultimate Spirits Challenge. George T. Stagg Añejo was designated “Excellent, Highly Recommended” with 90 points at the 2019 Ultimate Spirits Challenge and received a Gold medal at the 2018 Denver International Spirits Challenge. Artisanal Blanco was awarded a Gold medal at the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, 2019 Los Angeles International Spirits Competition and 2018 Denver International Spirits Challenge.
“We’ve enjoyed experimenting with our single estate tequila and barrels that held some of the most highly awarded whiskies. The result is a perfectly balanced, unique line of tequilas,” Agave Marketing Director Megan Hurtuk said. “This year’s release truly bridges the best of both worlds, whether you’re a tequila aficionado or bourbon lover.”
Using 100 percent blue agave from the highlands of Jalisco, the brix for Expresiones del Corazón are measured to determine sugar levels before harvest, rather than a traditional clear cut. Two sets of agave were harvested, one with a lower sugar content and flavored a little drier, and one with a higher sugar content considered a little sweeter for agave, resulting in more floral notes. The result was a harmonization of the two sets of agave in the Blanco, which was then used as the base for the other Expresiones del Corazón.
The agave is slow cooked in stone ovens before being distilled in stainless steel pots using fresh spring water from the Jalisco highlands. The filled barrels are stored in the first row at Casa San Matías’ aging facility in Acatic, Los Altos de Jalisco, where the barrels receive the ideal level of air flow to aid in the aging process. The barrels are then evaluated every two months until the desired characteristics are achieved. They are then bottled as single barrel tequilas.
Expresiones del Corazón are now available nationally, however quantities are very limited. The suggested retail price for the Artisanal Blanco is $59.99. Suggested retail pricing for the William Larue Weller Añejo, Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Añejo and George T. Stagg Añejo bottles is $79.99 each. All four of this year’s expressions are 80 proof. For more information about Corazón tequila, visit https://www.tequilacorazon.com/.
About Corazón Tequila
Corazón Tequila is distilled and aged at Casa San Matías, a family-owned distillery in Jalisco, Mexico that has more than 130 years of experience. These tequilas are single-estate cultivated, distilled and hand bottled. Made from 100% Blue Weber agave, only the highest quality plants are selected to create Corazón. The Corazón portfolio includes the Single Estate Tequilas, Single Barrel Tequilas and the Corazón Expresiones collection. For more information about Corazón visit www.tequilacorazon.com.
About Sazerac
Sazerac is one of America’s oldest family owned, privately held distillers with operations in the United States in Louisiana, Kentucky, Indiana, Virginia, Tennessee, Maine, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Maryland, California, and global operations in the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, India, Australia and Canada. For more information on Sazerac, please visit www.sazerac.com.
