The tradition of Día de Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, is one of the most culturally rich and spiritually meaningful celebrations in Mexican culture. It’s a time of remembering and honoring loved ones who have passed away, with rituals that include altars (ofrendas), candles, offerings of food and drinks, and music. For many, this celebration bridges the gap between life and death, allowing for a joyful remembrance of family and friends who have moved on to the afterlife.
This year, the luxury tequila brand Clase Azul is offering a new way to celebrate Día de Muertos with a special release in its limited-edition series. The latest installment, Clase Azul Tequila Día de Muertos Edición Limitada Música, is a beautifully crafted añejo tequila that pays homage to the music and vibrant atmosphere of this revered Mexican holiday.
For aficionados of luxury spirits, Clase Azul is a name synonymous with unparalleled quality, attention to detail, and artistic design. The brand is well-known not only for its meticulously crafted tequilas but also for its beautifully designed, hand-painted decanters that double as works of art.
Clase Azul has a rich tradition of creating limited-edition tequilas that celebrate different aspects of Mexican culture. In 2021, they launched their limited-edition Nuestros Recuerdos collection, a series designed to reflect the memories and traditions surrounding Día de Muertos. The new release, Edición Limitada Música, is the third installment in this collection, and it builds on that legacy by incorporating music as a central theme.
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Clase Azul Tequila Día de Muertos Edición Limitada Música
The Clase Azul Tequila Día de Muertos Edición Limitada Música is more than just a luxury spirit; it is a symphony in a bottle. Masterfully crafted by Clase Azul’s Master Distiller, Viridiana Tinoco, this tequila was designed to evoke the nostalgic rhythms and melodies associated with the Day of the Dead.
According to Tinoco, the vision behind this edition was to reinterpret music into sensory experiences, crafting a harmony of flavors that evoke memories of loved ones and the traditions of Día de Muertos. Tinoco states, “I wanted to reinterpret music into sensorial chords to evoke nostalgia, since during Día de Muertos, we remember the great moments shared with our loved ones.”
This añejo tequila was aged for an impressive 26 months, a process that involved two stages of maturation. Initially, the tequila was aged in American whiskey barrels, imparting rich notes of wood and spice. Afterward, the batch was divided and finished in two distinct types of Scotch whisky barrels. One portion matured in barrels from the Isle of Skye, known for their peaty character, while the other aged in Speyside barrels, renowned for their smooth and sweet profiles. These two batches were then blended together to create a tequila that captures the complexity and depth of both aging processes.
Tasting Notes, Complex Dance of Flavors
The aging process of the Clase Azul Día de Muertos Edición Limitada Música results in a complex and refined tequila that engages the senses in a unique way. From the very first sip, it delivers a captivating blend of aromas and flavors that mirror the intricate layers of the holiday it celebrates.
On the nose, you are greeted with the unmistakable scent of peat smoke, accompanied by the sweetness of honey and dried fruits. Gentle spices, reminiscent of the incense and candles that adorn Día de Muertos altars, also make their presence known.
The palate offers a deeper exploration of these flavors. The peat smoke takes on a more pronounced role, giving the tequila a slightly smoky, earthy character. This is balanced by warm notes of cinnamon, honey, and a touch of chocolate, which add richness and sweetness. The result is a tequila that is as complex as it is sippable—a spirit that invites contemplation and savoring, much like the memories it was created to honor.
The Decanter – A Piece of Art
While the tequila itself is undoubtedly a work of craftsmanship, the decanter in which it is housed is no less impressive. Clase Azul is known for its stunning bottle designs, and the Día de Muertos Edición Limitada Música continues this tradition with a decanter that is both a celebration of Mexican artistry and a homage to the holiday’s musical roots.
Designed by David Espinosa, a Mexican illustrator, the decanter features a detailed depiction of a skeletal musical ensemble. This imagery is a nod to the joyful, musical aspect of Día de Muertos, where the souls of the departed are believed to return to join in the festivities. The decanter itself is a rich, plum color, symbolizing both elegance and the somber yet celebratory tone of the holiday.
Adding to the artistic flair of the bottle is a 24-karat gold ornament, shaped to resemble a musician’s accordion. When pulled by a chain, the ornament appears to dance, adding a playful, interactive element to the overall design.
Limited Availability
As with previous releases in the Nuestros Recuerdos series, the Clase Azul Día de Muertos Edición Limitada Música is a limited-edition offering. Only 10,000 bottles will be made available, making this a highly coveted collector’s item for both tequila enthusiasts and art aficionados alike.
Each bottle comes in a 1-liter decanter and is priced at a suggested retail price of $1,500. Due to its exclusivity and craftsmanship, it is available only at select retailers. For those lucky enough to secure a bottle, this tequila represents a rare opportunity to own not just a high-end spirit, but a piece of cultural heritage wrapped in artistic expression.
