Bandero

Blanco or Silver Tequila often gets a bad reputation, being as it is unaged Blue Weber Agave spirit with no time spent in cask to potentially ease off the rough edges. More often than not used as the base for a Margarita - in which the lime and orange liqueur can offset the bite from the spirit - it's not often you find a blanco Tequila that is great to sip neat as well as mix.

Well, here's one for you. Blue Weber grown in red clay soil at the foothills of the Guachimontones- a series of round pyramids constructed by the Teuchitláns around 2000 years ago - is harvested at around 7 to 8 years of growth and steamed in a brick oven before a long fermentation period of around 36 hours. Double distillation takes place in stainless steel stills - now some might baulk at the lack of copper contact, but here that technique enhances the fruity character that agave can offer.

This is one of the most fruit-forward Tequila's I have ever encountered, with notes of cherry, cranberry and even mango. There is still an earthiness present but it's quite subdued, which is what makes this so enjoyable to sip neat. To be honest, it's almost too fruity to be used in a Margarita, as the lime can dominate too much, but use this in a cocktail where the Tequila doesn't have to be so up front - a Paloma for example - and this will shine through.

And a word about the bottle - the distinctive round shape is made from 100% recycled glass and the locally sourced leather strapping is made to evoke traditional Huarache sandals wore by tribes of Jalisco..