Moët Hennessy launches its first ever Tequila

The French drinks giant announced today it is breaking into the Tequila market for the first time with its new brand Volcan De Mi Tierra Tequila.

We should have guessed that if Moët Hennessy was going to partner up with a Tequila brand, that it would be big. But few could have guessed it would be volcano-sized.

Today, the company announced it is adding a handcrafted Tequila to its portfolio, which launches later this month in the UK. And it’s hot stuff. Why? Because Volcan De Mi Tierra Tequila is created in the volcanic region of Jalisco, Mexico, using agave grown in soil fertilised by the eruption of a volcano called, yep, Tequila. This is no marketing ploy. That is the actual name of the volcano.

Volcan De Mi Tierra is one of a very small number of Tequila brands to have its own distillery, which sits bravely at the base of the Tequila volcano, which exploded in typical fire and brimstone style around 200,000 years ago. The distillery is overseen by the Gallardo family, which has had roots in this part of Jalisco since the 1700s.

The partnership between the Gallardo family and Moët Hennessy was struck back in 2017, and now the duo are ready to share the labours of their work with the world.

The 100% blue agave-made Tequila is made using a unique, terroir-driven approach. Agave is selected from two separate regions of Jalisco –  the Lowlands, which gives a spicy, herbal flavour profile, and the Highlands, which produces more fruity, floral notes. Each spirit is distilled separately before being blended together to create the final expression.

“Volcan De Mi Tierra is not only a Tequila, it is the creation of a unique profile, enhancing all the nuances from each region,” explains Santiago Cortina Gallardo, COO at Volcan De Mi Tierra. “Throughout this process we have continuously refined our craft and have ultimately produced world-class expressions.

Julien Morel, CEO of Volcan De Mi Tierra said: “Tequila is one of the fastest growing spirit categories, with continuous premiumisation of the offer. The UK market is particularly important for Volcan, where we see exponential interest for Tequila, from discerning consumers and influential trade.”

Two different expressions will be available in the UK: Blanco, a fresh, clean white Tequila bursting with minerality (£44) and Cristalino, a decadent, sweet, aged añejo Tequila finished in whisky and brandy barrels (£62).

Both expressions are available through Master of Malt and The Whisky Exchange, as well as behind the bar of some of London’s best cocktail purveyors including Callooh Calay in Shoreditch.