(Photo: Milagro)
On Tuesday, Milagro Tequila swung back onto the market with its first expression in over a decade. For its latest trick, the brand has taken a page from the cristalino trend that's sweeping the industry.
Milagro Cristalino Añejo is aged 18 to 24 months in a combination of American ex-bourbon and French oak casks before being filtered for clarity. The charcoal filtration process strips spirits of their color while purportedly smoothing out harsher oak notes in favor of floral and vanilla sweetness. Though contentious in certain spirits circles, the technique has proven a breakout hit thanks to big names like Jose Cuervo, Casamigos and Don Julio.
Milagro says that its take on the concept balances bright agave flavor with subtle notes of crème brûlée and caramel. It can now be found through retailers nationwide at a suggested retail price of $59.99. Consumers will recognize it alongside other offerings from the brand, all of which come inside slender decanters with colorful accents.
“Like all Milagro Tequila offerings, Cristalino Añejo draws inspiration from Milagro’s roots - the vibrant, artistic world of Mexico City, where respect for tradition fuels innovation,” Michael Giardina, VP of marketing, remarked in a news release. “Throughout the entire distilling process, we’ve honored age-old tequila-making practices while embracing innovative techniques unique to the Cristalino sub-category to create a one-of-a-kind liquid profile.”
Milagro was introduced in 1998 by college friends Danny Schneeweiss and Moy Guindi. The brand was designed as an homage to the arts, culture and food of Mexico City, though it should be noted that, like most tequila brands, Milagro is distilled and produced in the nearby state of Jalisco.
Apart from its core range, Milagro has only ever released a small handful of bottlings. A trio of Select Barrel Reserves can still be found fairly easily online, each distinguished by a glass agave housed in their center. Completionists might also be compelled to track down the elusive Milagro Unico, though they should be warned that prices range toward $5,000 and up.
For more information on its latest launch, find the brand's website here.
Milagro Cristalino Añejo Tasting Notes, Per the Brand
Color: Crystal clear, with platinum hues
Nose: Vanilla, stone fruit, cooked agave
Taste: Crème Brûlée, vanilla, with a smooth silky finish
