Chase Azul’s New Tequila Is Smoky Like a Mezcal

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Luxury tequila brand Clase Azul is going in a bit of a different direction with its latest release, Blanco Ahumado. Yes, the tequila still comes in a beautiful handmade ceramic decanter that many people will keep even after the liquid is gone. But this new expression is more like mezcal than tequila, because there are smoky notes on the palate that are an uncommon feature in the latter category.

The fact of the matter is that not all mezcal is smoky, either, but most of it is to some degree—some expressions are as aggressive as a bottle of Laphroaig, others have just a wisp of smoke curling around the edges of the palate. And there are additional examples of smoky tequila as well. (Remember, tequila falls within the overarching mezcal category, but it can only be made from Blue Weber agave, while mezcal can be made from many different types of agave.) The term “ahumado” means smoky in Spanish, and there are a few other brands that have released a tequila in this style, including Patron, Cenote, and Maestro Dobel (which it calls Humito).

Clase Azul, founded in 1997, has five tequilas and three mezcals in its core portfolio, along with various limited-edition expressions like the Dia de Muertos bottles. Blanco Ahumado, the sixth tequila to join the lineup, is made in a similar fashion to mezcal: The agave is placed in a pit in the ground lined with wood and volcanic rocks where it is baked, strategically placed to absorb heat from the rocks while still being infused with smoke from the wood. The agave is then shredded and fermented with the brand’s proprietary yeast before being distilled twice in copper pot stills.

“Looking to achieve a smoky profile for this tequila, I set out to capture the essence of traditional mezcal-making, reinterpreting each stage of the process to elevate the unique character of the blue agave, but this time through a deliberate act,” said master distiller Viridiana Tinoco.

According to the official tasting notes, the palate leads with notes of smoked agave, fresh plum, and red apple, followed by fresh lemon and some minerality, and culminating in a “silky finish with smoky undertones.” The decanter is supposed to evoke different steps of the production process: It’s made from semi-opaque glass to recall the tequila’s smoky character; the dark base is reminiscent of the volcanic rocks used to cook the agave; and the copper cap is a nod to the stills. Clase Azul Tequila Blanco Ahumado is available now while supplies last (SRP $250), so check your local specialty retailer, and you can find rest of the core portfolio available from ReserveBar now.