Jose Cuervo, the world’s largest producer of Tequila, today introduced “Cue the Cuervo,” a multi-tiered national marketing campaign that illustrates how the legendary Tequila brand brings together all elements of a night to take it from exciting to epic.  ”Cue the Cuervo” is inclusive of television, out-of-home, online, print and radio advertising, public relations support, experiential marketing, a social responsibility program and groundbreaking digital extensions. The campaign will also be prominently featured at point-of-sale throughout the country.

“Cue the Cuervo” will be brought to life on Facebook, Cuervo.com and in bars across the country through a number of consumer touch points.  Among the unique digital extensions will be “Cue the Cab.”  Jose Cuervo is proud to introduce this free iPhone application that leverages mobile technology to provide consumers with a one touch option to request a safe ride home.  The “Cue the Cab” program will synchronize the consumer’s location with a cab company for pick-up at no additional cost for the coordination, ensuring that the most legendary nights out end with a safe, responsible ride home.

Consumers online will be impressed with an innovative pre-roll video that synchs with banner ads on the same web site.  The digital interaction allows the Cuervo hero featured within the video to reach across screen and grab shots of Jose Cuervo from the banner ad.  The Cuervo shots move seamlessly from the ad and into the video where they are handed out to a group of friends who then bond together with a shot of Cuervo.

“Jose Cuervo has been a category leader in quality and innovation since creating the tequila industry more than two-and-a-half centuries ago, and ‘Cue the Cuervo’ pushes the envelope in marketing quality and innovation,” said Paul Clarke, Jose Cuervo Brand Director, Diageo. “The campaign reminds consumers that Jose Cuervo is the one element that can bring the night together, and it does so in a compelling, interactive manner.”

The campaign artwork for out-of-home advertising and point-of-sale materials will keep the brand name front and center, calling out that “Cue” is embedded within the word “Cuervo,” just as Jose Cuervo is often the one constant embedded within most extraordinary nights out with friends.

Consumers can also tune in for the campaign’s two leading 30-second television spots, “Bar” and “Apartment.”  These commercials will ‘Cue’ in all of the mundane elements of a scene for a night out one by one – the tables, the chairs, the kitschy atmosphere, the locals or party guests, and the girls – and then promptly ‘Cue’ in the drink that brings it all together, taking the night from ordinary to legendary.  The spots will air on cable networks including ESPN, HBO and FX and on sites including Break.com, FunnyorDie.com, ESPN.com, Deadspin.com and FoxSports.com.

For more information, visit www.Facebook.com/Cuervo or  www.Cuervo.com.  Jose Cuervo reminds you to Cue Responsibly.

About Jose Cuervo

Jose Cuervo is the largest producer of tequila throughout Mexico and around the world. The Jose Cuervo portfolio of tequilas includes Jose Cuervo Especial Gold, the number one tequila worldwide, Jose Cuervo Especial Silver, Jose Cuervo Black Medallion, Jose Cuervo Tradicional, Jose Cuervo Platino, Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia, Jose Cuervo Golden Margaritas, Authentic Jose Cuervo Margaritas and Jose Cuervo Margarita Mix. For more information, visit www.josecuervo.com.

Source: PRNewswire

Intersect Beverage is proud to announce their recent success at the 4th Annual Spirits of Mexico Tasting Competition, presented by The Polished Palate. All of the premium tequila entered into the competition by Intersect Beverage received award-winning recognition. Their Regional Tequila was awarded the highest award, the Best of Category for Blanco, Silver and Plata, the Tequila Anejo Gold Award, and the Tequila Reposado Silver Award. Their second brand Azunia Tequila, received the Tequila Gold Awards: Blanco, Silver, Plata, the Tequila Reposado Bronze Award and the Tequila Anejo Bronze Award.

This annual event held August 16th at the Best Western Hacienda Hotel in Old Town San Diego, featured over 100 different brands of tequila. The competition was co-hosted by Jack Robertiello, creator of Drinks Ink and past editor of Cheer’s Magazine, and Robert Plotkin, a respected beverage industry author and founder of Bar Media. The judging panel consisted of 12 accredited liquor and tequila experts from across the United States and Mexico. Among the judges was second year participant Mario Marquez, the first certified Tequilier Ambassadeur in the US, who’s passion for tequila has led him to study at over 17 distilleries. The panel also welcomed Junior Merino, a tequila connoisseur and mixologist whose cocktail creations have won him awards and mentions throughout major print and online media outlets such as the New York Times, Women’s Wear Daily and Gourmet Magazine. Merino has acted as a judge for Spirits of Mexico Tasting since its inception. Dori Bryant, President of Polished Palate LLC, stated “The tasting panel was made up of a jury of peers, making it especially hard for competitors. I was very impressed with Intersect Beverage, as all expressions of Azunia and Regional Tequilas swept the 2010 SOM Tasting Competition, garnering 7 Awards including 3 Golds and a Best of Category for Regional Blanco.“

Intersect Beverage’s CEO Jim Riley could not be happier with the results of this year’s event, “I know we have great products which embody the heritage and values of our tequila making process; so it was a great feeling to have an esteemed panel of judges experience our tequila and recognize the quality.”

About Intersect Beverage:

Intersect Beverage, located in Newport Beach, CA, imports premium tequilas. Executives, Jim Riley and Kirk Gaither, have more than twenty years experience in the spirits industry. Intersect Beverage is committed to delivering the highest quality brands and products to every client, employing the best management and sales team in the industry involving each individual in the success of the company and its partners. Dedicated to redefining the spirits industry, having fun while delivering only the finest quality products to the market.
Intersect Beverages’ products include: Azuñia Tequila (ultra-premium tequila) produced from the finest quality hand-selected 100% Weber blue agave plants, grown and harvested by one of the oldest and most experienced growers in the Jalisco Region of Mexico. Azuñia’s Tequila portfolio includes: Platinum Blanco (perfect choice for a refreshing Azuñia margarita), Reposado (an authentic pleasure with a touch of smokiness) and Añejo (the most sophisticated with hints of vanilla and nuts).

Regional Tequila (authentic premium tequila) produced from 100% Weber Blue Agave and double distilled. Regional’s portfolio includes: Regional Blanco, Reposado and Añejo. Each brand delivering a distinct flavor for all to enjoy! To learn more about Azuñia Ultra-Premium Tequilas and to download a list of Azuñia and Regional Tequila cocktails visit www.azuniatequila.com and www.regionaltequila.com

About Polished Palate:

Since 2005, the Polished Palate has been hosting cutting edge Tasting Events, educating the consumer on all aspects of each distilled spirit category. Through seminars hosted by recognized industry professionals, guests learn about the history & culture of each spirit, their impact on society, current trends & appropriate tasting techniques, while promoting responsible consumption.

Source: PRWeb

Tequila Details

Name: Leyenda del Milagro Silver (Blanco)
NOM: 1420
Distillery: Industrializadora de Agave San Isidro, SA de CV
Location: Highlands – Los Altos
Website: http://www.milagrotequila.com

Review Notes

Milagro is crystal clear and the first thing that strikes me is the smokey pear aromas that are drifting from the glass. There is however something in the nose of this tequila that I don’t like, but I can’t decide what it is…it could just be that I’m not to keen on pears. There’s a strong alcohol aroma which I’m afraid to say is not helping those wonderful agave smell, why they have allowed that I’ll never know. It’s a very vegetal tequila and there is just a hint of vanilla there. As I coat the sides of my glass I notice that it’s thick and oily, it’s got slow tears and it doesn’t really want to bead. The agave, unlike in the nose, is however there in taste and just like appearances it has an oily texture, whilst at the same time having a sort of ‘watered down’ feel to it. Quite odd. There’s a very short burn to the tequila which hangs around just long enough to make your tongue go numb and then fades, I feel that has more to do with alcohol than agave. Mixed in between all of this is vanilla, it’s presence in taste is much greater than it was in the nose. As I inhale across my tongue I can vividly taste and smell the vanilla, regrettably I’m not enjoying it all that much as there is an incredibly strong bitter mint flavour  in the finish which is really not doing it for me. I find this blanco to be lackluster.

Even Milagro think you should be using their product for mixing

Now, I had expected much of this tequila and perhaps that’s not the best way to go into a tasting. This tequila has won numerous awards (albeit for cocktails) and perhaps I’m missing something…but I doubt it. I’ve drunk from this bottle three times to write this review and each time it’s the same story. Milagro I feel that you’ve let me down. You built up my hopes just to dash them as soon as we began. Quite how this tequila is picking up awards simply amazes me.

This is in no way a sipping tequila, it has no business being in a Riedel glass. All in all you’re going to have more enjoyment out of this tequila by using it as a mixer. Yes, yes it’s an relatively inexpensive tequila…but still! Perhaps the qualities that make is unsuitable as sipping tequila lend itself to the creation of cocktails?

I’m underwhelmed, disappointed…oh, and did I mention I’ve got a bottle of the Reposado here too?!

¡Salud y’all!

Tequila Details

Name: Tequila Avión Silver
NOM: 1416
Distillery: Productos Finos de Agave, S.A. de C.V.
Location: Highlands – Los Altos
Website: http://www.tequilaavion.com

Review Notes

Tequila Avión is a highlands tequila and that’s obvious from the first sniff. The floral and sweet aromas typical of highlands tequila are there. We’ve sat on this review for quite a while now as we wanted to do it justice, Tequila Avión is an incredibly balanced high-end tequila. Now I’ve been drinking tequila for quite some time so I knew from the first sip that we had a contender on our hands, but it’s so balanced that I wanted to be sure that I was picking it all up and we’d do the brand justice. As I swirl the tequila in my Riedel glass I’m seeing quick legs and clear beading on the glass. The aroma is clean and crisp, the agave pepper is subtle with very little alcohol aroma coming off of it. The taste is sweet and light with the quality of the water used in the production of this tequila being very apparent. Avión themselves claim that there are clear mint aromas and flavours in the mix but I just couldn’t pick them out. The citrus flavours that are present are surprisingly of pineapple, which was a real pleasure, the finish is soft, smooth with a hint of agave. This is something that I think the current tequila market is going to lap up. We only have the blanco in our hands at the moment, but I can’t help but wonder what the wood is going to bring to it all. We’ll do our best to get back to you on that.

The creators of Avión tequila didn't have to pay a penny for all the priceless publicity the new booze brand has gotten on this season of "Entourage" -- all it took was 35 years of friendship

I think it’s worth mentioning that the stopper in this bottle is cork, a lot of brands are stepping over to synthetic materials (which is fine) but I feel the cork gives the bottle a bit more ‘class’ and ‘polish’. I’m finding myself asking whether we’ve got another el Patrón on our hands here, market-wise that is. Tequila Avión is coming out of the blocks with a very hard hitting marketing campaign. They’re all over the social networks and getting their product on to a hit show such as ‘Entourage’ is going to do nothing but rocket their profile. Tequila Avión is a very smooth well balanced tequila that is going to appeal to people new to tequila and aficionados alike.

¡Salud y’all!

In honor of the Spirits of Mexico Festival’s continued success in bringing lovers of tequila, mezcal & sotol together in San Diego over the past seven years, Mayor Jerry Sanders and the entire San Diego City Council have made it official — Saturday, September 18, 2010 is Spirits of Mexico Festival Day in San Diego! This is an unprecedented occasion for a rather young festival.

“Elected officials up and down the state of California are taking note,” said Chuck Ross, operator of Fiesta de Reyes in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. “The tireless efforts of Dori Bryant and the entire team at Polished Palate, to put on this world-class event, are outstanding. Aficionados, owners, authors, master distillers and, from 90 brands, 200 styles (twice the number of expressions to honor the 200th Anniversary of Mexican Independence) are involved in 2010. We are all committed to making this the largest, most comprehensive and most fun Tequila Festival in the world.”

In August, the festival hosts its annual private Tasting Competition and Cocktail Competition semi-finals, where a panel of judges will select those entries headed for the Finals, which opens the Festival on September 15 at Café Coyote in Old Town. The winning cocktail entry will be served at all festival events. This date is significant as September 15 is the eve of the 200th Anniversary of Mexican Independence.

On Friday, September 17, the who’s who of the agave world will gather at Barra Barra Saloon and be the first to learn the results of this year’s tasting competition. On Saturday, September 18 from 1-4pm, the Old Town Chamber of Commerce hosts The Taste of Old Town Fiesta of Flavors and later that evening, starting at 6pm, it’s the festival’s Main Event at The Cosmopolitan Hotel & Restaurant—all located in the State Historic Park.

Old Town San Diego is the recognized birthplace of not only San Diego but the entire state of California. The Spirits of Mexico Festival Day is forever immortalized – gold seal, nine signatures and all – in a beautiful full-color proclamation that reflects the festival’s significance as the preeminent tequila and agave festival in the nation and recognition of San Diego’s role in its success.

About the Polished Palate
Since 2005, the Polished Palate has been hosting cutting edge Tasting Events, educating the consumer on all aspects of each distilled spirit category. Through seminars hosted by recognized industry professionals, guests learn about the history & culture of each spirit, their impact on society, current trends & appropriate tasting techniques, while promoting responsible consumption—all in a festive format.

For more information and to purchase admissions, visit the Polished Palate website at www.polishedpalate.com

Source: PRWeb

901 Silver, the rapidly growing ultra premium tequila, announced its first national multi-media advertising campaign today entitled “Tequila Is Liberty,” with the first execution called “Improved by Use,” followed by “Let Them Eat Cake,” and “Risk and Peril.” The campaign is driven by the desire for the uncommon user experience, the urge to be exceptional, and the attitude of feeling Tequila Is in fact Liberty. The campaign features a TV platform, digital, print, viral and strong promotional support.

“Improved By Use”

The 901 Silver Tequila “Improved by Use” commercial singles out one man among a crowd of followers. Surrounded by the ordinary, his presence symbolizes superior quality and the desire to strive higher, in essence creating a moment to arrive at extraordinary with 901 Silver Tequila. For this exclusive group of friends, 901 Silver Tequila is liberty fueled by aspiration to be in the game and satisfies their appetite to get the most out of life.

“Let Them Eat Cake”

“Let Them Eat Cake” features a self-assured, beautiful, poised woman who commands viewers’ attention. She is powerful, controlled and a spoken visionary who knows how to get what she wants. For her, 901 Silver Tequila liberates her inner desire with a coolness that dominates but is not domineering.

“Risk and Peril”

“Risk and Peril” dares its viewers to act upon ambition. 901 Silver Tequila unshackles a striking and intense woman from the confines of typical gender roles. She takes destiny and control into her own hands feeling at liberty to make others writhe in submission to achieve her dreams.

In this campaign, 901 Silver Tequila is the drink of choice. Ever the revolutionary spirit, 901 Silver Tequila inspires and compels its users to elevate themselves from their everyday norm. It is deliberately mysterious and sensational to heighten audience intrigue, utilizing excerpts from the pages of history’s greatest stories. Each ad is an epic monologue creating experiential filmic dispatches that immediately pique interest, heighten the senses and arouse any manner of passions, both intellectual and emotional.  The 901 Silver Tequila print ads will seamlessly thread the campaign’s themes blending current fashion imagery with cultural and style references, helping to portray these metaphors.

“The 901 Silver Tequila ‘Tequila Is Liberty’ campaign is centered on our target consumers’ desire to experience more and create rewarding and memorable moments,” said Kevin Ruder, President, 901 Silver Tequila.

“Tequila Is Liberty” was created by The Martin Agency and directed by 901 Silver Tequila CEO and founder, Justin Timberlake, who is making his directorial debut. The campaign was shot at the Standard Hotel in Los Angeles in addition to other miscellaneous Los Angeles locations.

The spots will run online and on video networks, first breaking in late-July in the U.S., followed by print ads in September and then television in spring of 2011. “Tequila Is Liberty” will be supported at launch with a heavy public relations and digital campaign to drive trade and consumer awareness. Digital elements include Facebook and Twitter campaigns as well as YouTube.

To view 901 Silver Tequila’s new multi-media advertising campaign, please visit www.901.com.

Credits:

Agency: Martin Agency

Client: Kevin Ruder, President, 901 Silver Tequila

Creative Director: Mike Hughes and John Norman

Creative Team: Keith Tilford and Eric Tilford

Account Supervisor: Marc Kempter

Production Company: Super Studio, Santa Monica, CA

Director:  Justin Timberlake

Director of Photography: Jeff Cronenweth

Executive Producer: Dana Garman

Location: Standard Hotel, misc. Los Angeles locations

Editorial Company: Rock Paper Scissors, Santa Monica, CA

Editor: Kirk Baxter

ABOUT 901 SILVER TEQUILA:

It’s Always…..made from 100% Blue Weber Agave

It’s Always…..triple distilled

It’s Always…..hand crafted

It’s Always…..ultra smooth

It’s Always Being Responsible

901 IS A TRADEMARK OF DIAB Importers LLC.

DIAB Importers LLC. St Louis MO – 40% ALC. BY VOL. (80 proof)

www.901.com

SOURCE 901 Silver Tequila

Registration is now open for the Second World International Tequila Conference (WITC), TequilaTours.com announced today. The conference will be held in Guadalajara, Mexico and presented in English, offering industry professionals and tequila aficionados an up-close look at the tequila industry, its culture, trends, and innovators. The conference will offer sessions on production, tasting and flavor profiles, marketing and tequila-bar building.

This conference was specially developed to offer educational and networking opportunities to spirits industry professionals, international investors, brand developers, bar and restaurant managers, importers, distributors, researchers, journalists, and individuals interested in learning about the tequila industry in-depth.

Early registration is $450 USD per person, until Aug. 31. Regular registration begins on Sept. 1, and will cost $495 USD per person. Registration costs include entrance and transportation to all the events and distillery tours, conference materials, luncheons and receptions. Registrations after August 31^st will be accepted depending on space and availability. Air travel to Guadalajara and hotel are not included in the registration fee.

The conference includes:

• Meetings with tequila industry legends, The National Tequila Chamber, The Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT), master distillers, and expert tasters
• Workshops on developing a tequila brand, and developing a tequila bar
• Industry workshops on production techniques, and investment opportunities
• Visits to an agave plantation, and four specially selected tequila distilleries
• Formal tequila tastings held by professional tequila tasters, with tastings of over fifty different tequilas

“The WITC gave me an opportunity to share my passion and experience for tequila with the industry,” said Mark Alberto Holt, creator of the SFT Tequila Bar in Sayulita, Mexico. “It was a great way to share valuable consumer market trends directly with the other participants, and provided me with significant insights that I was able to use behind the bar, and to improve our inventory.”

Join us September 26-30^th, 2010, in Guadalajara, Mexico, the heart of the tequila production region. Complete conference details are available at www.tequilaconference.com.

About the Conference:

The World International Tequila Conference coordination is being provided by TequilaTours.com. TequilaTours.com is registered with the Mexican Secretary of Tourism as a destination management and event organization, specializing in the Tequila Industry. It is headed by David A. Ruiz, Tequila expert and consultant.

“The conference is an amazing opportunity for anyone who works in the tequila industry, or just loves tequila, to learn, network and taste some of the best tequilas available,” says Tequila Consultant and conference organizer David Ruiz.

Ruiz began organizing the annual conference in 2009 with the aim of embracing the popularity of tequila in the export market and connecting local tequila professionals with their counterparts abroad.

J. Gary Shansby, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Tequila Partida ─ the world’s top-rated tequila ─ announced today the appointment of Kevin Moodie as Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, US effective immediately. “Since we launched Partida six years ago we have been on course with our sales projections and growth,” said Mr. Shansby. “With Kevin driving the sales team and with me being able to focus more on the marketing and managing the total company, I’m confident we’re now ready to take Partida to the next level in terms of our market position in the ultra premium tequila category and annual case sales.”

Kevin Moodie was formerly president of Scottish & Newcastle Importers. He took Newcastle Brown Ale from 300,000 cases in 1991 to over seven million cases by 2008, growing the premium ale brand from an obscure, cult product to the number one imported ale in the US. Kevin left when the parent company was acquired by Heineken N.V. and Carlsberg Breweries A/S, and the US subsidiary shut down. “Kevin has a proven track record of taking a premium brand from boutique status to a major national stage,” continued Mr. Shansby. “Partida is on the cusp of this very same transition and with Kevin’s experience, industry knowledge, management skill, and relationships he is the perfect executive to strengthen our company and organization to insure profitable, accelerated growth.”

“I’m looking forward to the challenge of driving Partida’s growth during this important stage of the brand’s development,” said Kevin. “Partida is a superior product, wins all taste tests and is loved by America’s best bartenders. We’re ready to convert that equity into case sales on a larger scale without sacrificing what Partida stands for as a brand.”

About Tequila Partida
Tequila Partida (www.partidatequila.com) is an authentic, all-natural, estate-grown ultra-premium Tequila, made from 100% blue agave in the Tequila Valley, the heart of Mexico’s historic Tequila region. From cultivation and harvest to cooking, distillation and aging, Tequila Partida maintains exceptional standards of quality and consistency. F. Paul Pacult, the leading spirits authority in America, recently rated Tequila Partida Reposado as the best tequila in the world, and one of the top five spirits in the world. Tequila Partida produces four distinctive Tequilas: Blanco (not aged), Reposado (aged six months), Añejo (aged 18 months) and Elegante (aged 36 — 40 months). Tequila Partida is now distributed in Australia, Mexico and the United Kingdom, as well as Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Washington, DC and Washington.

Source: PR-Inside

Tequila Details

Name: Sauza Hornitos Reposado
NOM: 1102
Distillery: Tequila Sauza, S.A. de C.V.
Location: Lowlands – Central
Website: http://www.hornitostequila.com/

Review Notes

Hornitos reposado is pale yellow with a light agave nose. It has an intense floral smell, is lightly spiced and is somewhat earthy. The initial taste is sweet with a light alcohol effect, which isn’t the unpleasant burning sensation that you might be familiar with from the standard ‘mixto’ Sauza. There are hints of caramel and wood present with strong citrus fruit flavours, which is why I think it lends itself to making a great Margarita. The alcohol sticks around after swallowing, but not for an excessive amount of time, and leaves your tongue somewhat numb…but once again for only a short period.

Now, Hornitos is certainly not my first choice when I’m sipping tequila…but it definitely doesn’t offend me. If you’re new to the tequila scene and looking for a multi purpose bottle then you certainly could do far worse than picking up a bottle of Hornitos.

¡Salud y’all!

The “Patron Margarita, Deconstructed,” is the first monthly challenge that will pit cocktail lovers against each other. Utilizing the perfect margarita recipe as inspiration, and three versions of the margarita created by top mixologists, Patron asks visitors to re-imagine America’s number one cocktail in their own, unique way.

“Patron has long been the tequila of choice for discerning drinkers who value the entire drink experience, from cocktail creation to composition and everything thereafter,” says Jennifer Long, Brand Director for Patron Spirits. “By leveraging a social networking site like Facebook, we are able to provide our loyalists access to share and build drink ideas. We are excited to see what happens when we give them full reign over Patron’s extraordinary portfolio of tequila expressions.”

Professional mixologists will be tapped to provide expert advice, commentary and tips on each submitted cocktail. The drink that receives the most votes at the culmination of each challenge will become an official Patron cocktail featured on the Patron website. Additionally, winners will receive exclusively curated gifts from Patron to celebrate their cocktail creations, and top participants will earn entry into exclusive Patron events.

The Patron Cocktail Lab will kick off with the “Patron Margarita, Deconstructed” challenge, with additional challenges to follow including the “Patron Greenmarket” challenge and the “Patron Salt Concierge” challenge.

For additional information, please visit http://apps.facebook.com/patroncocktaillab/.