From "private" tequila to bartender cocktails, Mexico invites itself under the tree
Agave is not just a prickly plant in a dusty desert. It is also the soul of two tequilas that have nothing in common, but share the same passion: to make this spirit rediscovered far from clichés.
Forget the salt shaker and lime. This end of the year, tequila is savored with the same sophistication as fine whiskey or refined cognac. Two brands from the Pernod Ricard portfolio embody this Mexican revolution: Código 1530, the ultra-premium that flirts with absolute luxury, and Altos, the tequila designed by bartenders for bartenders.
Código 1530: Jalisco's Best Kept Secret
For generations, this tequila was a secret. A "private tequila" reserved for a few Mexican families who passed it down like a war treasure. The project brings together former Crocs CEO Ron Snyder and Federico Vaughan, with the support of celebrities such as country star George Strait, former hockey player Brett Hull, and former NFL coach Mike Shanahan.
The name pays homage to 1530, the year Amatitán was recognized as a city in New Galicia and Jalisco received its coat of arms from the Spanish monarchy. On each bottle, we find the Jerusalem cross, a symbol of Jalisco's coat of arms.
The recipe? Three ingredients, period. Weber blue agave harvested after 6 to 8 years of maturity, a natural yeast from Amatitán (legend has it it comes from a small local family bakery), and pure volcanic water filtered through the soils of Los Bajos. No additives, no coloring. Just raw excellence.
The Californian twist that changes everything
What truly sets Código 1530 apart is its aging in French oak barrels from the Napa Valley that previously held Cabernet Sauvignon. A bold idea that marries Mexican terroir with Californian elegance. With production controlled at every step, without additives or coloring, Código 1530 is one of the most qualitative expressions of sipping tequila. A level of quality that less than 1% of global producers can claim.
The range to discover:
Blanco (€54.90): Crystalline and pure, it reveals notes of cooked agave, white pepper, and minerals. A thirst-quenching freshness with a dry and clean finish.
Rosa (€59): Between Blanco and Reposado lies a bold gem: Código 1530 Rosa. One month of resting in uncharred French oak barrels from Napa that held Cabernet Sauvignon is enough to transform the crystalline Blanco into a tequila of a fascinating natural pink hue. Gold medal at the SIP Awards 2021.
Reposado (€62): Six months in French barrels reveal toasted vanilla, butterscotch, and sweet spices. A velvety roundness in the mouth.
Añejo (145.50€) : Eighteen months of rest for an amber color with aromas of ripe fruits, vanilla, and spices. French oak brings balance and length. Origen (400€) : The absolute pinnacle. Six years of aging for an Extra Añejo that evokes cognac with its notes of candied figs, mocha, toasted oak, and oriental spices. A liquid masterpiece.
To this collection are added a few more confidential gems. George Strait, co-founder of the brand and country legend, personally selected some barrels to create limited editions, including a Rosa-Reposado aged in Spanish sherry barrels!
Altos: The story of a bromance and a volcanic stone
In 2009, two London bartenders decided to revolutionize tequila. Henry Besant and Dre Masso were no ordinary figures on the British cocktail scene. Besant had won the Time Out award for best bar of the year twice consecutively, while Masso had made a name for himself in London's most renowned bars.
Their idea? To create an authentic 100% agave tequila, perfectly calibrated for mixology. To achieve this, they partnered with Jesús Hernández, a master distiller native to Jalisco who perpetuates ancestral methods.
The magic happens in Arandas, in the Highlands of Jalisco, at over 2100 meters above sea level. The red volcanic clay soil gives the agaves unique fruity and floral aromas.
The tahona stone: 2 tons of tradition
What makes Altos different is the use of the tahona, a 2-ton volcanic stone wheel that has been used for 400 years to crush agave. This ancestral method, combined with slow cooking in brick ovens and natural fermentation, produces a round and complex aromatic profile.
The result? Altos has been named the best tequila for cocktails by Drinks International for four consecutive years, from 2021 to 2024. Global recognition of its quality.
Two references:
Altos Plata (€35 at partner retailers and €26.50 at Carrefour): Unaged, it preserves the freshness and raw expression of agave. On the nose: fresh herbs, cooked agave, and lime. On the palate, a lively attack that highlights the natural sweetness of the agave with a mineral finish. The perfect weapon for a Paloma.
Altos Reposado (€39): Over two months in artisanal bourbon barrels give it a brilliant golden hue. Blond caramel, toasted almond, and candied citrus on the nose. Round and fluid texture on the palate with a lingering finish.
Altos: also ideal in cocktails
It's in a shaker that Altos reveals its full potential. Its aromatic purity and perfect balance between sweetness and liveliness make it the ideal base for all great Mexican classics. The Paloma, with its tangy grapefruit and hint of salt, finds its best ally in Altos Plata. The Margarita, a timeless icon, gains depth and authenticity thanks to the herbaceous and mineral notes of Plata.
Mais Altos is not limited to traditional recipes. Its complex aromatic profile, the result of tahona grinding, allows creative bartenders to explore new territories: smoky cocktails, pairings with artisanal bitters, or even bold blends with exotic fruits. La Plata brings freshness and structure, while La Reposado offers roundness and complexity that enhance the most sophisticated creations. It is this versatility that has won over professionals worldwide and made Altos the absolute benchmark in mixology.
A Living Legacy
Tragically, Henry Besant passed away in 2013 at the age of 40. But his legacy lives on through the Tahona Society, a global community of tequila-loving bartenders he co-founded. Every two years, a $10,000 scholarship is awarded in his name to a young bartender to fund their training.
Today, Altos is also committed to sustainability: eco-responsible distillery, recycling of agave waste, water preservation. A tequila that has meaning as well as taste.
Two Philosophies, One Passion
Código 1530 takes you into absolute luxury, with its barrels from Napa and its limited editions. It is the tequila for pure tasting, the one you sip slowly, contemplatively, found in the most prestigious places, from Paris to the Côte d'Azur and of course abroad.
Altos, on the other hand, invites you to create, mix, experiment. It is the tequila of conviviality and striking cocktails, conceived by people who know what a good drink is.
Altos Plata is available at Carrefour, and at partner wine and spirits shops for the rest. Enough to transform your end-of-year celebrations into a gustatory journey to the heart of Mexico.
Because deep down, tequila has never been a second-tier spirit. It was just waiting to be given its due.
