Review: YÉYO Tequila Silver

I first noticed YÉYO on the "Local Spirits" shelf at the liquor store. I did not purchase it for a long time and now I regret not picking up this ultra premium tequila sooner.

I had the opportunity to ask Jon Bullinger, the President at YÉYO Tequila, a few questions. He said he was inspired to create YÉYO because "The Tequila industry was lacking a different type of Tequila (excellent Tequila). In this industry every brand felt like a copy of another one. YÉYO was created to bring a new smooth, unique flavor and modern style to the drinkers of ultra-premium Tequila; a combination which previously did not exist. YÉYO does not copy the other brands, now other Tequila brands are influenced by YÉYO." As for why he chose Feliciano Vivanco y Asociados (NOM 1414) as his Distillery: "I feel this family has the best agave, juice, and distilling techniques. They also demonstrate an overwhelming passion for making tequila as opposed to other distilleries. The Feliciano Vivanco is my extended family." What about expanding the YÉYO line to include a Reposado or Anejo? "Currently we don’t have any plans on creating aged Tequila. Silver is our focus. Silver is the root of tequila."

The agave is allowed to mature for 8 years in the small Highlands orchards on the estate that has been owned by the Vivanco family since 1917 - for more than four generations. After harvesting the agave, it is cooked in stone ovens for 72 hours. The roasted pinas are shredded in a mill and then the juices are extracted. Yeast is added to the juice and it is fermented for 10 days in open vats while classical Spanish music is played. The frequency of the music influences the way the carbon dioxide bubbles pop during the fermentation. The Mosto Fresco is allowed to ferment for four more days in closed vats.
YÉYO is then double distilled in traditional copper pot still. After distillation, oxygen is pumped through the juice for 24 hours to oxygenate and increase the agave flavors.
The distillation heads are used to clean the YÉYO bottles before they are filled.
YÉYO is always produced organically and in small batches by the 4th generation master. YÉYO expects to receive organic certification in 2012.

Tasting from a Riedel Ouverture Tequila Glass. The tequila has medium spaced fat legs and it's nearly colorless. The nose is agave with mild hints of sweet spice and anise. It has an extremely smooth thin mouth feel and a nice tingle on the tongue. The taste is quite subdued with slight hints of agave, orange peel, and other spices and finishes of pleasant mild heat. Aftertaste is a mild vegetal with lingering heat.

YÉYO is a perfect tequila. It should be sipped. It will make an amazing drink if mixed. Its mild delicate flavors keep you coming back for more. Don't make the mistake I did - get a bottle of YÉYO as soon as you see one on the shelf.

Review sources and additional information:

No comments:

Post a Comment