Camarena is an important name in tequila. Although you may be familiar with Familia Camarena tequila because their name is featured prominently, the Camarena family’s influence extends much further.

Felipe Camarena (of G4 and ArteNOM notoriety) has created innovative processes at the El Pandillo distillery where both Volans Blanco and Extra Anejo are made with three sources of water – deep well, spring and rainwater. The Extra Anejo (limited quantity available at our North Attleboro location) is aged in used American white oak barrels in an underground cellar for over three and a half years. The deep well water adds notes of minerality, while the barrels add a slightly oaky character with hints of vanilla.

Felipe has also given us Primo 1861 Blanco – the year in the name is significant; 1861 is the year Pedro Camarena Ramirez was born. Pedro went on to found the first tequila distillery in Arandas (sadly, it was lost to a fire during the Mexican Revolution.) The only piece of that original distillery that still remains is the heavy stone tahona (a wheel used to crush agave before machines were created for that purpose.) Felipe Camarena has that tahona on display at El Pandillo and invited Pedro’s great great grandson to reconnect with his family’s tequila producing heritage and they created Primo 1861 together. Primo 1861 is a full-bodied tequila with caramelized agave, peppery spice, and minerality on the palate.

ArteNOM is a line of tequila created by Jake Lustig that takes a non-traditional approach by working with artisan Tequileros at their respective distilleries which creates a variety of tequilas as unique as the lineup of distillers involved. ArteNOM Blanco 1579 was crafted under Master Distiller Felipe Camarena and has rising pastry dough and bold roasted agave on the nose with a velvety, wine-like texture, white pepper, and spearmint on the palate. The rest of their portfolio features a number of other Master Distillers, all using 100% blue Weber agave from Jalisco, Mexico. Each of the distillers in this line put their NOM (the number that denotes authenticity and also the specific tequila producer) on the bottles they’ve made hence the name ArteNOM (the art of the NOM.)

Carlos Camarena is a third generation Master Distiller and a fifth generation tequila producer and agave farmer. He is the Master Distiller behind Tequila Ocho and it was his great-great grandfather who was credited with bringing blue agave to the Highlands of Jalisco. Carlos has been recognized with many awards such as Distiller of the Year from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2005 and received a medal from the President of Mexico in 2010 for his contribution in the Tequila industry. The 8 in Tequila Ocho is meaningful – 8 decades of the Camarena family producing tequila, 8kg of agave to make 1 liter of Ocho Tequila, 8 years for the agave to ripen before being harvested. In addition to their Blanco, Reposado, and Anejo, we also have their Tequila Ocho Reposado Widow Jane Barrel Select which is aged 8 weeks and 8 days in used bourbon barrels from Brooklyn-based Widow Jane Distillery. Only 1,000 cases of this expression have been released and we have a limited quantity available at our North Attleboro location.

Last but not least, Mauricio Camarena is likely the producer of the tequila that first comes to mind when you hear “Camarena.” Mauricio exemplifies the heritage of the Camarena surname and the combined lineage of famed tequila producers Don Eduardo Orendain (Arette) and Don Jose Cuervo. Familia Camarena Silver has a sweet vanilla palate with notes of citrus and green herbs and a soft, warming finish. It has won several awards including Best in Show Platinum in the Spirits category at the 2017 World Beverage Competition.

The Camarena family is one with a deep respect for the land their agave is farmed on and for producing tequila in a responsible way – each harvest leaving a small percentage of agave plants that will go to seed to further agave propagation and diversity. This is especially important when considering the agave shortage tequila producers found themselves facing just a couple of years ago.

Many of the tequila brands I’ve listed are also certified additive-free! This is great for a lot of reasons – it means the tequila is made with natural and/or organic ingredients and doesn’t have added chemicals which can make for a lower-quality taste and less authentic flavor. Another upside to additive-free tequila? No hangover. It is also important to note that legally, up to 1% of the content of a tequila brand can consist of additives and still be labeled as 100% agave – so be sure to check the label carefully or conduct some research before you buy!

Cantaritos

Ingredients:

2 oz blanco tequila

1 oz fresh orange juice

1/2 oz fresh lemon juice

1/2 oz fresh lime juice

1 pinch salt

4 oz grapefruit soda

Instructions:

If using the traditional clay cup for serving, soak in cold water for 10 minutes before using.  Otherwise, use a highball glass.

Combine tequila, juices, and a pinch of salt.  Fill the glass with ice and top with grapefruit soda.

(Don't have the citrus fruits on hand?  Omit them and you have a Paloma!)

Photo Credit: moodymixologist.com

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