Espolon
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| Type | Tequila |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Distiladora San Nicolas |
| Country of origin | Arandas, Jalisco, Mexico |
| Introduced | 1998 |
| Alcohol by volume | 40% |
| Proof (US) | 80 |
| Website | TequilaESPOLON.com |
Tequila El Espolón is a brand of tequila from Campari America.[1] The tequila is produced at the brand owned Distiladora San Nicolas (NOM-1440) in the Los Altos (Highlands) region of Jalisco, Mexico, famous for its cultivation of agave plants.[2]
Made entirely from blue agave, El Espolón (or simply, Espolón) was created by Cirilo Oropeza, and was first produced in 1998. It is currently distributed in Mexico, the United States and select markets elsewhere.
Distillery
The San Nicolas Distillery is located among the agave plantations of the Jalisco Highlands. San Nicolas is designed to be an artisanal facility, built to Oropeza’s specifications. The distillation process Utilizes American oak barrels, with each agave piña (heart) cooked for 20 – 22 hours and distilled for 5½ hours .
Currently, four marques of Espolòn are Blanco (silver), Reposado (aged up to 6 months) and Añejo (aged up to 12 months) which is also finished in bourbon barrels, dubbed El Colorado, the first of its kind.
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's 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.
Awards
Blanco
- 2016 International Wine and Spirit Competition: Bronze [3]
- 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Silver [3]
- 2016 Ultimate Spirits Competition: Strong Recommendation [3]
- 2012 International Wine and Spirit Competition: Silver [4]
- 2011 San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Double Gold - "Best Silver Tequila" [4]
- 2011 Ultimate Spirits Competition – FINALIST for Chairman’s Trophy – 93 Points [4]
- 2010 International Review of Spirits: Gold – 94 Points [4]
Reposado
- 2016 International Wine and Spirit Competition: Bronze [5]
- 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Silver [5]
- 2014 Ultimate Spirits Competition: Finalist [5]
- 2013 International Wine and Spirit Competition: Silver Outstanding Medal [5]
- 2012 International Wine and Spirit Competition: Silver [4]
- 2011 San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Gold [4]
- 2010 International Review of Spirits: Gold – 93 Points [4]
Añejo
- 2015 International Wine and Spirit Competition: Silver [6]
- 2015 San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Gold [6]
- 2015 Ultimate Spirits Competition: Finalist [6]