Pernod Ricard Extends Olmeca Altos Line With Añejo Expression

356917NEW YORK, April 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ –– This spring, Olmeca Altos welcomes its latest product, Añejo – thereby completing the power of three for the Altos Tequila family. With the same well-balanced and rounded aroma that the Olmeca Altos distillery is known for, Añejo is aged for eighteen months in oak barrels and has woody notes and vanilla and chocolate flavors that is enhanced by the sweet, cooked agave taste and notes of dried fruit and almonds.

Building on Altos’ success with Plata and Reposado, Añejo will provide an even greater presence for the brand just in time for spring and summertime sipping in limited markets across the country. The three options in the portfolio, now available, continue to encompass the mixable 100% blue agave tequila that drinkers love.

Olmeca Altos Anejo is available on-premise in select markets including California, Colorado, Illinois, Florida, New York and Texas at a suggested price of $34.99 for 750 mL.

Altos was initially created by bartenders for bartenders through a partnership with UK’s most prominent mixologists Henry Besant and Dre Masso, alongside Master Distiller, Jesús Hernández, who understood the need for a superior-quality product at affordable prices. Staying true to its brand ethos, Añejo was also developed by Hernández, in collaboration with internationally-known US bartender Charles Joly and UK Altos Brand Ambassador Matthias Lataille. Together they created a new premium addition to the Altos family that sets it apart from other spirits in the category due to its distinguishable flavor and accessible price. Created 7,000 feet above sea level in the volcanic red earth in the highlands of Los Altos, Jalisco, Añejo is crafted in the same artisanal production methods as its predecessors – Altos Reposado and Altos Blanco. Handpicked at peak ripeness, the blue agave is slow cooked at low temperatures and then is extracted, in part, with the 500-year old Tahona method in which a volcanic millstone rolls over the cooked agave to crush the pinas to expose the juice and fiber of the plant. The extracted juice and fiber are added to the fermentation and distillation process to deliver the rich, sweet taste and citric aroma.

“As tequila continues to grow steadily in the US, Añejo is a long-awaited and exciting addition to the Altos family,” said Clare Kanter, Vice President, White Spirits & Export, Pernod Ricard USA. “It is crafted with the same traditional techniques revered by Altos drinkers, while enhancing the flavor range for an original and complex taste. We are proud to work with a team that strives to create a superior-quality product and continues to set new standards within the tequila category.”

“I’m very excited for the launch of Añejo, as I have used Plata and Reposado at my bars for many years and believe the launch rounds out the Altos family perfectly,” said Charles Joly, bartender and mixologist. “I’ve had the pleasure of spending a great deal of time at the distillery where Altos is expertly crafted and visited their agave fields so I am confident drinkers will enjoy Altos Añejo in cocktails or when sipped neat.”

Altos Añejo is available on-premise in select markets including California, Colorado, Illinois, Florida, New York and Texas at a suggested price of $34.99 for 750 mL.

Sip Añejo cocktails at home with the following signature recipes:

AÑEJO NEAT/ROCKS 2 parts Altos Añejo Build in rocks glass over ice or neat.

ALTOS ANEJO MANHATTAN 2 parts Altos Añejo 1 part Carpano Antica® 2 dashes of bitters Stirred over ice, strained into a chilled glass, garnished and served straight up.

MEXICAN COFFEE 2 parts Altos Añejo 2 parts coffee Heavy cream Dulce de leche In a clear coffee mug mix Altos and coffee. Whip together equal parts heavy cream and dulce de leche. Layer cream on top of coffee. Garnish the top with grated lime zest.

For additional information please visit https://www.altostequila.com/.

Enjoy with 100% Responsibility.

OLMECA ALTOS™ TEQUILA. 100% Blue Agave. Product of Mexico. 40% Alc./Vol. (80 Proof)/

©2016 Imported by Pernod Ricard USA, Purchase, NY.