VIVIR TEQUILA
Region - Mexico
It was the quest to find quality tequila in the UK, outside of specialty bars and shops, which compelled friends Paul Hayes and Navindh Grewal to make their own. Paul had knowledge of tequila, having worked with agave (syrup) for over 16 years.
In 2016, they decided to launch their own line of 100% Agave Tequilas, and three years later, the first Vivir Tequila hit the market. The mission: to show the UK that there was more to tequila than just shots. On the side, they also launched El Sueño Tequila, a premium mixto Tequila.
The tequila is produced in partnership with Casa Maestri Distillery, a fifth-generation family-owned distillery, in Jalisco. The estate grows Weber Blue Agave, which is harvested at nine years after full maturation, then cooked in traditional hornos (clay ovens) for four days with volcanic spring water sourced from the natural spring in the middle of the distillery, fermented in stainless steel tanks and double distilled.
In their bid to bring tequila into the 21st century — ‘Mexican tradition meets modern Britain’ — they have taken special care with their logos and bottles. Each expression comes in a stumpy bottle, half of it coloured. The serpent logo is a modern twist on the Mexican Quetzalcóatl, the Aztec god who agave supposedly came from.
The owners are passionate about sustainability. They support wildlife initiatives, the distillery keeps some agave to flower so it can be replanted, they compost spent materials, and donate leftover husks to a local company that makes reusable bags and cutlery.
VIVIR tequilas have picked up many awards, and they are the first tequila brand to win gold for the complete range at the UK’s Great Taste Awards.
VIVIR TEQUILA BLANCO
40% ABV — 700ml
Jalisco’s highlands are the home of Weber Blue Agave, which is harvested when fully matured, giving the final product a nice, sweet touch. This tequila blanco is the first product by VIVIR and saw a hundred iterations before they finalised one.
The chosen spirit being a smooth, sipping tequila served in a striking bottle, the colour of the agave. It is an expression that works well in cocktails, paired with soda and a wedge of lime, or with citrus tonics.
The spirit picked up a Silver at the San Francisco World’s Spirits Competition 2019, Silver (Value, Design, Taste) at Bartenders’ Brand Awards 2020, Silver at The Spirits Business (The Tequila and Mezcal Masters) 2022.
Tasting Notes: The clear spirit is zesty and fresh, with caramelised agave on the nose. On the palate, it is clean and smooth, with bright vegetal notes of cucumber and fresh grass, and some gentle spice in the aftertaste. The finish is slightly dry.
VIVIR TEQUILA REPOSADO
40% ABV — 700ml
VIVIR rests their Tequila Blanco for six months in American Oak (ex- Jack Daniels) 200-litre casks to create this Reposado. Interestingly, these casks have previously held two other Reposados, thus ensuring the final product is amber in colour, high on sweet caramel notes but without the heavy bourbon flavour.
This Reposado won Silver (Value, Design, Taste) at Bartenders’ Brand Awards 2020, Silver at London Spirits Competition 2020, Gold at Melbourne International Spirits Competition 2021, and Gold at The Spirits Business (The Tequila and Mezcal Masters) 2022.
This aromatic and herbal tequila is perfect for sipping. Enjoy it with ginger ale, or in typical whiskey/ rum cocktails like an Old Fashioned or Negroni.
Tasting Notes: The agave is strong on the nose, with herbaceous vegetal notes followed by caramel, some vanilla and pepper. Everything gets richer on the palate, which opens with nutty caramel, and biscuit and vanilla adding some sweetness to the earthy agave. There is a lingering taste of vanilla and woody notes ending in a sweet finish.
VIVIR TEQUILA CAFÉ VS
30% ABV — 700ml
This deep coffee coloured spirit is the first liqueur in the premium VIVIR Tequila range.
To make the liqueur, Vivir’s Tequila Blanco is flavoured with locally sourced Mexican coffee beans, and some Piloncillo (raw Mexican cane sugar). Presented in a half-black bottle that shows off its rich colour, this liqueur won a Master at The Spirits Business 2021.
It tastes good sipped neat or over ice, mixed into coffee cocktails like Espresso Martini, and even added to Americano or Espresso.
Tasting Notes: The full-bodied liqueur has a nice balance of sweetness. It has an intense aroma with bold roasted notes, milk chocolate tones, and some agave. A rich and earthy palate with herbal notes and a touch of smoky sweetness finishes with cooked agave.
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