In May 2019, Tom Bishop and Jack Vereker will launch El Rayo, a contemporary premium tequila distilled using a unique blend of highland and lowland agave. It has been designed to be served with tonic as a refreshing highball alternative – Tequila & Tonic, or ‘T&T’.
Inspired by a bottle of Añejo brought back from travels to Mexico, the Peckham-based pair decided to create something different to attract a new audience and showcase the best of modern Mexico. El Rayo has released two expressions: an unaged No.1 Plata and a No.2 Reposado, aged for 7 months in American white oak whiskey barrels. The 100% agave premium tequila is made using a unique blend of highland and lowland agave, which means it harnesses both the citrus and floral notes of the Highlands alongside the peppery, vegetal flavours commonly associated with the lowlands. It will be the first tequila of its kind on the UK market.
Co-founders Tom Bishop and Jack Vereker, say: “El Rayo is made for the modern drinker. We wanted to create a brand that transforms the traditional image of tequila and attracts new consumers to the category.”
The tequila has been developed in partnership with Maestro Tequilero Oscar Garcia. The blend of agaves, grown over the course of eight years, are roasted for 12 hours before being shredded and crushed to release the juices. Finally, it is twice distilled in 105-year-old copper stills.
The name El Rayo celebrates the origins of tequila. Mexican folklore tells of El Rayo striking the blue agave. The myth describes how a local campesino witnessed this moment and followed the burning glow in the distance. The cooked agave plant was discovered; tequila was born.
Both stylish bottles feature the bolt of lightning that gave El Rayo its name. They were created in partnership with local Mexican design agency Toro Pinto. Whilst it can be enjoyed straight up or on the rocks, El Rayo is highlighting its key serve as Tequila & Tonic (T & T), to be savoured as a long highball drink. It is available at a number of leading on-trade accounts including Hacha, TT Liquor and Cocktail Trading Co, and online at www.masterofmalt.com.