Clase Azul México has released its next installment of the limited-edition annual series Nuestros Recuerdos, (Our Memories) with a new tequila and decanter to honor the day of the dead. Clase Azul Tequila Día de Muertos Colores launched on October 17, with 6,500 intricately designed decanters across the world, paying homage to the lively colors inextricably tied with the emotional significance of the holiday.
Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a Mexican holiday (from November 1 to November 2) which celebrates the memory of loved ones who have passed away. Steeped in tradition, the holiday is often associated with captivating scents, flavorful foods, and of course, decadent displays of bold colors. The two-day festivity was even inscribed into UNESCO’s list of the Intangible Cultural Hertiage of Humanity in 2003.
“Día de Muertos is one of the most important celebrations in Mexican culture,” said Clase Azul Creative Director Miguel Hernández in a statement. “It’s a time of remembrance and gathering, so creating a decanter that embodies so much meaning and nuance is no easy feat. This year’s edition, Colores (Colors), has left me with a deep sense of pride in my team for conveying what this holiday represents and the role that colors play in it for so many.”
The holiday’s ofrenda is a perfect example of Día de Muertos’ colorful spirit. The mounting of offerings to the deceased is one of the most important traditions of the occasion and is characterized by its bold and vivacious colors.
For the limited-edition decanter, master distiller Viridiana Tinoco orchestrated a 28-month aging process for the añejo tequila, which began in American whiskey casks for 22 months and concluded its incubation period in artisanal rum casks from the island of Martinique for the remaining time. The Mexican tradition calaveritas served as the inspiration behind this special decanter and the creation of its tequila.
“With this edition we remember, as we do every year, all of our loved ones who are no longer with us” explained Tinoco. “So, inspired by the calaveritas created as tokens of their memory, I wanted to craft this tequila through a double aging in casks of American whiskey and a fine finish in rum casks from the island of Martinique which naturally impart a hint of sweetness to the tequila.”
Clase Azul Tequila Día de Muertos Limited Edition Colores is available in a 1-liter decanter, 40% ABV (80 proof), for $1,050 USD.
