A bunch of World Cup-inspired tequilas have arrived over the past few months, some of them official and others more conceptual. The latest release is not an official FIFA drop, however; it’s a reposado tequila from Centenario that is said to celebrate the spirit of fútbol overall, although of course the approaching World Cup and the fact that Mexico is one of the hosting countries plays a part here.
The Centenario Tequila brand, which recently rebranded from Gran Centenario, is owned by Proximo Spirits, the same company that controls other major brands like Jose Cuervo, Maestro Dobel, 1800, and Reserva de la Familia. Now, let’s get the obvious out of the way for all the tequila aficionados: Yes, there might be additives used in this tequila (we reached out to the brand for comment about this but have not heard back yet). Still, it’s a popular and affordable brand, and you should really drink what you want to.
Centenario Tri-Nation Fútbol Reposado Tequila is, as mentioned before, a reposado expression, meaning it was aged up to a year in barrels. But in this case the maturation process is more interesting than usual, if perhaps a bit gimmicky (it’s football-themed, after all). According to the brand, after distillation the tequila was aged for two months in toasted oak barrels that came from the three World Cup hosting countries: Mexico, the U.S., and Canada. The official statement is a bit nebulous, but reveals that each type of oak was chosen to impart specific flavors: Mexican oak for “heritage and depth,” American oak for “sweetness and structure,” and Canadian oak for “balance and a subtle, layered finish.” We got to try a sample, and while it veers a bit toward the sweeter side, there are notes of toasted almond, grass, citrus, and caramel on the palate.
“Fútbol has a rare ability to spotlight what makes each culture, community, and fanbase distinct, and how those differences can stand side by side proudly,” said Lander Otegui, EVP of marketing and innovation at Proximo Spirits, in a statement. “For Centenario Tri-Nation Fútbol Reposado Tequila, we started from a place of Mexican pride and craftsmanship . . . and we aged this liquid in three distinct oaks that each contribute something unique, without losing what makes them different. This liquid honors the passion that turns the game into a celebration of identity, pride, and cross cultural experience.”
This limited-edition bottle has a special design to mark that the brand is the official tequila of the Mexican National Team, with an eagle on the front and artwork that is supposed to represent the team’s jerseys. It’s available starting today (SRP $38) to preorder from the brand’s website.
Authors
Jonah Flicker
