Latest Tequila News

TRAGO TAKES HOME THE COVETED DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL
RESERVED FOR THE BEST AT THE SAN FRANCISCO WORLD SPIRITS COMPETITION

Awards:  Trago Silver - Double Gold Medal;
Trago Reposado - Silver Medal; Trago Añjeo - Silver Meda

(San Juan Capistrano, CA) April 2, 2007---Trago Tequila , a product of Trago International, announced today that they took top honors at the prestigious 2007 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.  Even as a newcomer to the marketplace, Trago Silver won the coveted Double Gold Medal while Trago Reposado and Trago Añejo both placed with Silver Medals in the White Spirits category.  In order to win the coveted Double Gold Medal, a spirit must receive a unanimous vote for a Gold Medal by all judges on the panel.

"We are thrilled to have our products earn such noteworthy honors from a competition as significant as the San Francisco World Spirits," expressed Trago International’s CEO and Founder Christopher Condon.  "We have been incredibly well received since entering the marketplace this past November and these awards validate what we have been saying all the while….We have a winning  product in all three of our tequilas!"

Since launching last winter, Trago Tequila has placed into thousands of accounts, along with becoming one of the most called for brands at the hottest restaurants and clubs across the country, including Butter and tenjune in New York, Salud in Chicago, Vessel in San Francisco as well as Element and Les Deux in Los Angeles.  As striking in taste as it is in appearance, Trago (Trah-go) meaning "sip" in Spanish is produced according to a proprietary recipe and distilled at Los Alambiques by Felipe Camarena, son of the famous Don Felipe, the "Father of Tequila." Trago uses an extremely unique distillation process in that it distills first through copper and then through stainless steel, which contributes to the quality. True agave flavor and smoothness are hallmarks of Trago’s taste profile in all three products.

"Our Double Gold Winner, Trago Silver, is incredibly smooth with a taste that is prized by connoisseurs as pure agave flavor.  That full-bodied agave flavor combines with fine aroma hints of pepper, citrus, mint and herbs making it the perfect mix for any cocktail," stated Condon.  "I challenge vodka drinkers to replace their usual with Trago Silver next time they mix a cocktail if they truly want to experience an ultra-premium drink."

Trago’s Reposado, Silver Medal recipient, is rested in American oak barrels for four months creating a smooth, subtle caramel flavor while the Añejo, which also took a Silver, is aged for 18 months in used American bourbon barrels producing an undeniable agave, smoked peppery and vanilla aroma.

This year’s SF World Spirits Competition was its largest to date with over 700 total entries from 51 countries.  In the tequila category alone, there were over 100 products entered.

For further information regarding Trago Tequila, please contact Emily M. Olsen, Director Corporate Communications or Victoria Pevan, VP of Marketing at 310.341.0873. Any press inquiries regarding Trago Tequila should be directed to Henry Eshleman, Platform Media Group, at 323.337.9042.

About the San Francisco World Spirits Competition:
The San Francisco World Spirits Competition is the first comprehensive international spirits judging ever held in the United States on an annual basis.  It was founded in 2000 by Anthony Dias Blue, the Wine and Spirits Editor of Bon Appetit Magazine and Carol Seibert, the Managing Director of the San Francisco International Wine Competition.   This year (2007) there were over 700 spirits entered from 51 countries making this the largest spirits competition in America.

About Trago Tequila :
As striking in taste as it is in appearance, Trago (Trah-go) meaning "sip" in Spanish represents the new shape in superior tequilas.  Produced according to a proprietary recipe and distilled at Los Alambiques by Felipe Camarena, son of the famous Don Felipe, the "Father of Tequila," Trago is offered in Silver, Reposado and Añejo. Los Alambiques is currently producing 100% Webber blue agave tequila of consistently the highest quality as the area boasts the best soil and climatic conditions in the "Altos de Jalisco" region of Mexico.  True agave flavor and smoothness are hallmarks of Trago’s taste profile; the pinnacle of ultra-premium tequilas with a thoroughly modern attitude and package that defines luxury.

Source:
pwrnewmedia.com

Tequila Brand Cited by Discus for Three Complaints

CHICAGO (AdAge.com) -- Perhaps the hottest spirits brand going right now, Patron Tequila, is being slapped by the spirits industry's governing body for using sex to fuel its surging sales.
Patron, which saw its sales double last year, was the report's most-cited advertiser, drawing complaints for three different ads and, in each case, having the complaints against it validated by the Discus board.
Patron, which saw its sales double last year, was the report's most-cited advertiser, drawing complaints for three different ads and, in each case, having the complaints against it validated by the Discus board.

The Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. released its semi-annual marketing code report yesterday, in which it disclosed the outcome of its reviews of every marketing complaint it received during the second half of 2006.

High rate of compliance
The industry generally gets a high rate of compliance with its marketing code, in part because its good behavior in recent years has helped the industry gain access to cable TV and other channels that were traditionally closed to liquor advertisers.

Patron, which saw its sales double last year, was the report's most-cited advertiser, drawing complaints for three different ads and, in each case, having the complaints against it validated by the Discus board.

"The idea behind the Patron Tequila 'Simply Perfect' campaign has always been to fuel debate about what is 'perfect,'" Patron's chief operating officer, John McDonald, said in a written statement responding to questions. "Of course, as supporters of responsible advertising, when these three ads were called into question, we cooperated fully and immediately took responsive action."

Two of the three complaints centered on the distiller's "Simply Perfect" ad campaign, which pointed out that some types of perfection are debatable, but others, such as Patron, are not. In one of the ads , a couple lay in bed. Over the man's head, a caption read: "The perfect girl." Over the woman's: "The perfect one-night stand."

Alcohol and sexual prowess
"After careful deliberation ... the depiction of a man and a woman in bed with an open bottle of tequila at the foot of the bed, and clothes and undergarments strewn on the floor in front of the bed linked the consumption of alcohol to sexual prowess," the decision read.

According to the report, Patron immediately withdrew the ad after Discus' decision, even though it is not a member of the organization. It also withdrew another "Simply Perfect" ad, which showed two women in a nightclub setting captioned "battery operated" and "the real thing" after board ruled the ad connoted "overt sexual activity."

Patron received a third citation, along with Hennessy Very Special Cognac, for advertising in the newsstand edition of Spin magazine that did not meet the industry's standards of having an audience of at least 70% drinking-age readers. Both advertisers agreed not to advertise in Spin's newsstand edition going forward.

Another sort of youth-marketing mishap came courtesy of Margarita King, which portrayed a woman sipping the tequila-based cocktail from a baby's bottle under the tagline "Sip Maturely." The marketer, a non-Discus member, pulled the bottle from future spots at the board's urging.

But not all the cited marketers were as compliant.

Source:
AdvertisingAge
By Jeremy Mullman

Beverage Marketing USA, Inc., announced today that it is importing a caffeinated Mexican brew; MODO's Cerveza CHANGO(r), for the Hispanic beer market, already popular in Mexico it can be found on the dusty side streets, where locals serve it up with a slice of lime. Cerveza CHANGO is the first tequila-flavored beer produced by Cerveceria MODO S.A. de C.V. for export, and has only 100 calories per 8.3-ounce can, and 6.3 percent alcohol by volume with a shot of natural caffeine.

"CHANGO beer is delicious and taste like an imported European beer, but instead it gives you that extra shot of caffeine," said RenneZ Godden-Gonzales, a part time actress and resident of La Jolla, California whose on screen credits include the hard-edge drug thriller TRAFFIC, staring Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Recently she tried the caffeinated Mexican brew out of curiosity. "It won't slow you down," she said. "It makes you feel refreshed and alert, and not so over-clocked and wired, the way you get when you empty too many cans of Red Bull and Absolut." said Godden-Gonzales.

"For today's high-speed 24/7 life style, keep a MODO close at hand," says Richard H. Davis, President of Beverage Marketing USA, Inc., "MODO con cafe’na is fast becoming the world's premiere brand of tequila-flavored beer with exclusive retailers across the globe." said Davis.

"MODO prides itself on its commitment to innovation for the growing Hispanic population in the United States, Cerveza MODO is enjoyed by adult consumers across the country and in Mexico," said Francisco Paco Jimenez, President of Cerveceria MODO. "Our Cerveza CHANGO con cafe’na in the seductive slender energy drink can is very attractive to the young modern female consumer wanting an alternative to Red Bull and Absolut." said Jimenez.

MODO beers are the result of time-honored brewing technology that ensures that every cerveza is fire brewed in small batches, with the highest quality ingredients in a state-of-the-art brewery. MODO has a smooth tequila taste and aroma, created by combining super-premium 100% agave azul tequila, produced in the Jalisco region of Mexico, with natural exotic mango fruit juices to form a superb tequila-flavored beer.

Look for MODO's "Tequila Head" logo, on Cerveza CHANGO's gold label that insures authentic tequila taste. In addition, an all-natural CHANGO Energy Drink has been shipped to North America and will be available worldwide spring 2007. A new Spanish-language television spot titled; ÁNo tienes que ser un Gringo rico - para gozar de una cerveza mexicana superior! the sexy advertisement is slated for broadcast this summer on Mega TV ( http://www.mega.tv), a television operation serving the South Florida market. Mega TV features LaMusica.com, a bilingual Spanish-English online site providing content related to Latin music, entertainment, news and culture. For more information visit http://www.biermax.com

~~~

CONTACT:
Beverage Marketing USA, Inc.
Richard H. Davis, 479/963-6399
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
http://www.biermax.com

-or-

Francisco Paco Jimenez, 772/232-8159
Cerveceria MODO S.A. de C.V.
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
http://www.biermax.com

SOURCE: Cerveceria MODO S.A. de C.V.

Tequila Raw Ingredient Being Developed Into Drug-carrier That Targets Colon Diseases

Compounds derived from the blue agave, a fruit used to make tequila, shows promise in early laboratory studies as a natural, more effective way to deliver drugs to the colon than conventional drug-carriers, according to chemists at the University of Guadalajara in Mexico. The development could lead to improved treatments for ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, cancer, Crohn's disease and other colon diseases, they say.

Drug delivery to the colon is an ongoing challenge to physicians. Many drugs are destroyed by stomach acids before they've had a chance to reach the intestine, where they usually are absorbed. Researchers have tried to circumvent this problem by inserting the drugs into carrier molecules that resist breakdown in the stomach but have had difficulty finding a suitable carrier compound.

The tequila compounds, a class of polysaccharides known as fructans, were developed by the scientists in Mexico into tiny microspheres that are capable of carrying existing drugs that are used to treat colon diseases. Because the compounds resist destruction in the stomach, they could allow more of the drugs to reach the colon intact and improve their effectiveness, the researchers say. Their study was presented at the 233rd national meeting of the American Chemical Society.

"This study shows that the agave fruit is good for more than just tequila. It also has medicinal value," says study leader Guillermo Toriz, Ph.D., an assistant professor at the university. "Agave fructan is the ideal natural carrier of drugs for the colon."

Researchers have known for some time that fructans, which are polymers of fructose, are resistant to acid degradation and theorized that they might be a useful drug delivery vehicle. But only a few plant sources, such as agave, contain fructans in large amounts. The agave fruit is 80 percent fructans by weight when ripe, the researchers say.

Toriz and his associates extracted fructans from the blue agave, the base ingredient of tequila. They chemically modified the fructan compound to allow drugs to be encapsulated, making the drugs resistant to degradation in the digestive system.

The researchers then prepared microspheres of the compounds and filled them with ibuprofen as a model of drug delivery to the colon. In laboratory tests, the ibuprofen-filled microspheres were exposed to hydrochloric acid for an hour and appeared physically intact upon subsequent microscopic examination, the scientists say.

Topiz and his research group currently are working on improving the durability of the fructans and plan animal studies in the future. If further studies show promise, human studies of the agave microspheres are anticipated. Funding for the study was provided by the Mexican National Science and Technology Council.

Source:
Science Daily

Another big year at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, held at the prestigious Mandarin Oriental Hotel, with over 700 spirits entered from 52 countries and 6 continents.

Over 100 medals were awarded to Tequila brands, with 12 Double Gold Medals, 16 Gold Medals, 39 Silver Medals, and 41 Bronze Medals.

Congratulations to Milagro Select Barrel Reserve Reposado Tequila for receiving the Best in Show and Double Gold Medal! 

Best in Show - White, Double Gold Medal, Milagro Reposado Tequila, Select Barrel Reserve, Central, Mexico

Double Gold Medal, AsomBroso Añejo Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico

Double Gold Medal, AsomBroso Silver Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $40.

Double Gold Medal, Casa Noble Añejo Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $80.

Double Gold Medal, Corralejo Reposado Tequila, Guanajuato, Mexico [40%] $35.

Double Gold Medal, Don Eduardo Silver Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $40.

Double Gold Medal, El Tesoro Tequila Paradiso, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $121.

Double Gold Medal, Fina Estampa Silver Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $30.

Double Gold Medal, Herradura Añejo Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $55.

Double Gold Medal, Loma Azul Blanco Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $17.

Double Gold Medal, Olmeca Extra-Aged Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [38%] $35.

Double Gold Medal, Tequila El Agave Blanco Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $25.

Double Gold Medal, Trago Silver Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $40.

Gold Medal, 1800 Añejo Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $40.

Gold Medal, AsomBroso Reposado Tequila, Bordeaux Barrel Rested, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $44.

Gold Medal, Cabo Wabo Uno Tequila, Añejo Reserva, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $249.

Gold Medal, Don Eduardo Añejo Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $45.

Gold Medal, Don Julio Tequila Real, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $350.

Gold Medal, El Jimador Añejo Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%]

Gold Medal, El Tesoro Añejo Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $46.

Gold Medal, El Tesoro Reposado Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $40.

Gold Medal, Gran Centenario Añejo Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $50.

Gold Medal, Herradura Reposado Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $50.

Gold Medal, Jose Cuervo Black Medallion Añejo Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $20.

Gold Medal, Mascarillo Reposado Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $45.

Gold Medal, Partida Blanco Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $50.

Gold Medal, Penca Azul Reposado Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $80.

Gold Medal, Tequila El Agave Reposado Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $30.

Gold Medal, Tevado Reposado Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $20.

Silver Medal, 1800 Silver Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $25.

Silver Medal, Casa Noble Reposado Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $50.

Silver Medal, Casa Noble Crystal Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $45.

Silver Medal, Cava Don Anastacio Blanco Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $40.

Silver Medal, Cazadores Añejo Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $40.

Silver Medal, Corralejo Blanco Tequila, Guanajuato, Mexico [40%] $30.

Silver Medal, Corzo Silver Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $45.

Silver Medal, Corzo Reposado Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $50.

Silver Medal, Don Tepo Blanco Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $50.

Silver Medal, Don Valente Añejo Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%]

Silver Medal, Dos Lunas Silver Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%]

Silver Medal, Dos Lunas Reposado Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%]

Silver Medal, El Conquistador Reposado Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $35.

Silver Medal, El Jimador Blanco Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] N

Silver Medal, El Tesoro Platinum Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $40.

Silver Medal, Gran Centenario Plata Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $43.

Silver Medal, Gran Centenario Reposado Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $45.

Silver Medal, Gran Centenario Leyenda Añejo Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $250.

Silver Medal, Herradura Silver Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $45.

Silver Medal, Herradura Seleccion Suprema Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $330.

Silver Medal, Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia Añejo Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $126.

Silver Medal, La Certeza Reposado Tequila, Tequila, Mexico [40%] $45.

Silver Medal, Loma Azul Reposado Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $19.

Silver Medal, Loma Azul Añejo Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $25.

Silver Medal, Luna Sueño Blanco Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $43.

Silver Medal, Mascarillo Blanco Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $40.

Silver Medal, Milagro Silver Tequila, Central, Mexico [40%] $25.

Silver Medal, Olmeca Blanco Tequila Classico, Jalisco, Mexico [38%] $22.

Silver Medal, Olmeca Gold Tequila Supremo, Jalisco, Mexico [38%] $24.

Silver Medal, Partida Reposado Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $58.

Silver Medal, Partida Añejo Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $67.

Silver Medal, Penca Azul Blanco Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $55.

Silver Medal, Real de Penjamo Reposado Tequila, Guanajuato, Mexico [40%] $50.

Silver Medal, Sauza Blanco Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $13.

Silver Medal, Tequila El Agave Añejo Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $42.

Silver Medal, Tezon Reposado Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $70.

Silver Medal, Trago Reposado Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $50.

Silver Medal, Trago Añejo Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $60.

Silver Medal, Tres Rios Añejo Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $50.

Bronze Medal, 1800 Reposado Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $25.

Bronze Medal, 267 Chili Pepper Tequila, China [21%] $29.

Bronze Medal, 4 Copas Añejo Tequila, El Arenal, Mexico [40%] $90.

Bronze Medal, 4 Copas Reposado Tequila, El Arenal, Mexico [40%] $73.

Bronze Medal, 4 Copas Blanco Tequila, El Arenal, Mexico [40%] $90.

Bronze Medal, Aha Toro Blanco Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $48.

Bronze Medal, Aha Toro Añejo Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $55.

Bronze Medal, Cabo Wabo Blanco Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $35.

Bronze Medal, Cabo Wabo Añejo Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $55.

Bronze Medal, Casino Azul Anejo Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $40.

Bronze Medal, Cava Don Anastacio Reposado Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $47.

Bronze Medal, Cava Don Anastacio Tequila Añejo, Mexico [40%] $55

Bronze Medal, Cavalino Reposado Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $34.

Bronze Medal, Cazadores Blanco Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $27.

Bronze Medal, Cazadores Reposado Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $30.

Bronze Medal, Corzo Añejo Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $60.

Bronze Medal, Don Eduardo Reposado Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $43.

Bronze Medal, Don Julio Blanco Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $40.

Bronze Medal, Don Julio Reposado Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $45.

Bronze Medal, Don Julio Tequila 1942, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $125.

Bronze Medal, Don Tepo Reposado Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $50.

Bronze Medal, El Jimador Reposado Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%]

Bronze Medal, El Mante Gold Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $10.

Bronze Medal, Herradura Hacienda del Cristo Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $65.

Bronze Medal, Jose Cuervo Tequila Especial, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $17.

Bronze Medal, Jose Cuervo Tequila Citrico, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $17.

Bronze Medal, Jose Cuervo Tequila Oranjo, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $17.

Bronze Medal, Jose Cuervo Tequila Tropiña, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $17.

Bronze Medal, Jose Cuervo Reposado Tequila Tradicional, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $26.

Bronze Medal, La Certeza Añejo Tequila, Tequila, Mexico [40%] $58.

Bronze Medal, La Certeza Blanco Tequila, Tequila, Mexico [40%] $39.

Bronze Medal, Las Trancas Reposado Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $40.

Bronze Medal, Los Danzantes Reposado Mezcal, Oaxaca, Mexico [42%] $70.

Bronze Medal, Milagro Añejo Tequila, Select Barrel Reserve , Central, Mexico [40%] $100.

Bronze Medal, Origine Añejo Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $47.

Bronze Medal, Sauza Extra Gold Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $13.

Bronze Medal, Sauza Tres Generaciones Añejo Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $42.

Bronze Medal, Sauza Tres Generaciones Plata, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $36.

Bronze Medal, Tezon Blanco Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $60.

Bronze Medal, Tezon Añejo Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $75.

Bronze Medal, Tres Rios Reposado Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $45.

Bronze Medal, XXX Siglo Treinta Reposado Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $25.