Herradura Drops Directo de Alambique, a New Very-High-Proof Tequila
High-proof whiskey is always a popular option, as drinkers turn to barrel-strength (and sometimes hazmat) bottlings when they are looking for something that packs a bit more punch. When it comes to tequila, most expressions are bottled at the minimum 80 proof. But not always—Herradura just announced the re-release of one of its strongest expressions, Directo de Alambique, which clocks in at 110 proof.
That proof is actually the still strength of this tequila, or the proof at which it comes off the still, and per CRT guidelines (the Mexican governing body that regulates tequila), that is the upper limit at which you can bottle a spirit and still call it tequila. We’ve covered other still-strength tequilas before, including El Tequileño (100 proof), Fortaleza (92 proof), Suerte (104 proof), and Cazcanes No. 10 (108 proof). But Herradura‘s version beats all these in terms of strength.
“Directo de Alambique reflects Casa Herradura’s longstanding commitment to traditional tequila-making, offering an authentic expression of the distillery’s heritage while meeting the evolving tastes of today’s consumers,” said global brand ambassador William Brooks in a statement.
Directo de Alambique was originally released in 2012, so fans of this boozy bottle have had to wait more than a decade for its return. According to the brand, the tequila is made using Blue Weber agaves that were grown in different terroirs in Mexico to create a layered flavor profile. The pinas are cooked in clay ovens for a period of 26 hours and then open-air fermented near fruit trees, a practice the brand says adds to its particular flavor profile due to inclusion of wild yeast. It’s then distilled twice and bottled at 110 proof, or 55 percent ABV, and the official tasting notes describe cooked agave, fresh fruit, citrus, herbs, and a touch of olive oil (we did not get a sample to try).
So why exactly would someone want to drink a tequila this strong? Just like with whiskey, many people are interested in trying undiluted spirits to see how they differ from lower-proof expressions. In the case of tequila, this means still strength, while with whiskey that most commonly refers to barrel proof, or the strength at which it comes out of a barrel. Still-strength tequila can also be a good choice to use in cocktails, as the higher ABV means the tequila’s flavor and punch don’t get lost when combined with other ingredients. And, of course, some people just want to down a really boozy shot—to each their own.
Directo de Alambique is available now at select retailers around the country in limited quantities (SRP $80).
