El Tesoro Mundial Tequila (Photo by the brand)

Mundial Tequila

I’m not a tequila fan, but El Tesoro created two whiskey-cask-finished tequilas that could change my mind. Earlier this month, I had an opportunity to sample two new offerings by El Tesoro – Mundial Knob Creek and Mundial Laphroaig. As the names suggest, these two tequilas were finished in, respectively, ex-fill Knob Creek Rye and Laphroaig Scotch casks. Prior to sampling these, I would have insisted that Anejo (aged) tequila is the only tequila I would drink, and these two expressions support my thesis!

Tequila Styles

As a reminder, tequila is typically made in three styles. Silver tequila, the youngest, is bottled immediately after distillation, spending no time in wood. Wood aging, or “resting,” is typically reserved for Reposado and Anejo tequilas (rested and aged, respectively). Reposado tequilas traditionally spend two months to one year in wood casks, while Anejo implies aging from one to three years.

El Tesoro Cask Expressions

These two El Tesoro expressions each spend one year in their respective wood casks – The Knob Creek expression spends a year in ex-fill charred-oak Knob Creek Rye Whiskey barrels, and the Laphroaig spends a year in ex-fill Laphroaig 10-Year-Old Scotch Whisky casks, which, by the way, is my favorite “daily drinker” Scotch whisky. El Tesoro is no stranger to innovation. Although young by some distillery standards (it began operations in 1937), El Tesoro has released many award-winning tequilas and has twice been named “Distillery-of-the-year.” These two lightly aged tequilas will likely add to their enviable record!

Mundial Knob Creek

Rye whiskey has a spicy character that transcends the corn base of typical American-made whiskeys. It has a unique flavor profile that can be polarizing for whiskey drinkers. That said, it makes sense that when choosing a whiskey barrel for tequila aging, rye has a more intense flavor profile that makes this tequila expression unique. It starts with the El Tesoro Anejo flavor base – floral and honeyed, with notes of vanilla and butterscotch – but then the Rye kicks in, adding a distinct spiciness, plus notes of chocolate, caramel, candied citrus peel, winter spice, and oak.

Mundial Laphroaig

I would never have imagined a tequila aged in heavily peated Scotch casks, but I am pleased they did just that. Laphroaig is one of my favorite Scotch whiskies, and it is undoubtedly intensely flavored enough to influence the tequila. The Islay influence is unmistakable, resulting in a peaty, smoky impact. The Laphroaig influences, including salty brine, seaweed, and tarry rope, stack onto the vanilla and honey, resulting in something I find truly unique.

Final Thoughts

These two unique and infinitely sippable tequilas will make a great addition to the bar that values unique and unexpected flavors, especially those that appreciate finer quality. Although tequila is not typically on my top-ten list of favorites, I will recommend these two as sippers – I’m not sure I’d relegate them to cocktail service. However, I can imagine adding either to a shot of quality Bloody Mary mixer and a splash of lime! If you like tequila and whiskey, either will make a great addition.