Editor’s
CHOICE
TOP PICKS FOR A TASTE OF THE ULTRA-PREMIUM.
Editor-in-Chief, Antony Holter has rounded up a few of our favourite brands that offer
a sophisticated and luxury feel with an incredibly distinct taste.
Billecart-Salmon GRAN PATRÓN PLATINUM
Billecart-Salmon is one of
the world’s most admired
Champagne brands and is
renowned for its distinctive
vintages, and iconic Rosé. Gran Patrón Platinum is produced
from the highest-quality Weber
blue agave plants grown in the
Highlands of Jalisco.
It retails for £160.
£225 The Whisky Exchange
The agaves for this distinct tequila
are hand selected for their high
sugar content.
It is also one of the few
remaining independent, family-
owned Champagne Houses, and
last year celebrated 200 years
since it was founded by Elisabeth
Salmon and Nicolas François
Billecart, shortly after their
marriage in 1818.
With the 7th generation now at
the helm, this family business
has certainly made its mark
over time and is now widely
recognized as one of the finest
Champagne Houses in the world.
The tequila is triple distilled and
then rested in oak tanks for 30 days
making it extraordinarily smooth
and full-bodied. It has notes of
citrus and a light oak finish.
BARREL AGE - Rested for 30 days in oak tanks
AROMA - Light fresh agave, citrus and fruit. Very faint oak wood
TASTE - Extremely smooth, sweet. Light notes of citrus and fruit.
DISTILLATION - Tahona Mill & Roller Mill
GRAN PATRÓN PIEDRA
£245, The Whisky Exchange
Aged for over three years for a rich and balanced taste. This extraordinary extra añejo tequila is
crafted entirely from the “tahona” process, a time consuming and ancient method for creating
tequila where a large volcanic stone “tahona” wheel slowly crushes the agave. After distillation (with
the agave fiber), Gran Patrón Piedra is meticulously aged for more than three years in new American
and French oak barrels for a deep mahogany color and sweet, subtle aroma of fruit, fresh mushroom,
light citrus, and toasted French oak.
BARREL AGE - 4 years in French Limousin and New American Oak
AROMA - Cooked agave, dried fruits, toasted oak
TASTE - Ultra smooth, sweet caramel, earthy, herbaceous, cooked agave, mushroom
DISTILLATION - Tahona Mill only
40
The Art of Luxury
Issue 40 2019