Mezcal Carreño Wins Best Mezcal Award at San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2020

For a past WriteonRubee feature, visit Mezcal Monday with Mezcal Carreño

Local family-owned mezcal company takes home six awards in global competition

(PRESS RELEASE) The 20th edition of the most influential spirits competition, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC), considered the Grammys of spirit competitions, took place February 13 through 16 and February 21 and recently announced its medal winners. Locally-owned Mezcal Carreño US (www.MezcalCarrenoUS.com) brought home top honors for the mezcal category. Not only were all five expressions of this artisanal spirit awarded medals, but they took home the coveted “Best Mezcal” award with their Ensamble 7 mezcal, beating out 70+ brands. This small family producer of mezcal dominated the mezcal category by achieving two Double Gold Winners (Ensamble 7, Tobalá), a Gold Winner (Tepeztate) and two Silver medals (Tobasiche, Espadín).

“The goal has always been to share my family’s passion and culture through our mezcal,” said Ivan Carreño, Co-Owner of Mezcal Carreño U.S. “Having our Ensamble 7, which represents the seven sisters of the Carreño family, win “Best of Class” has just brought so much happiness to our family during these challenging times.” With almost 3,000 different spirits entered into the competition, Mezcal Carreño represented the only “Best of Class” winner from Arizona. “The community of Arizona has taken us in as one of their own from day one. To the chefs, bartenders, writers, friends and family, this win is for you! They believed in and supported a small brand built on hard work, education, and family.” stated Abel Arriaga Co-Owner of Mezcal Carreño US.

Honors include these medal placements:

DOUBLE GOLD:  

Mezcal Carreño Ensamble 7, 90 Proof, Winner of “Best Mezcal”
A one-of-a-kind blend of seven wild agaves (Tobalá, Tobasiche, Tepeztate, Lumbre, Coyote, Cuishe & Espadín) that were cooked, tahona mashed, fermented and double-distilled together to represent the seven sisters of the Carreño family. A complex, yet delicate mezcal with hints of pineapple.

Mezcal Carreño Tobalá, 92 Proof: Produced from wild tobala agave taking 10 to15 years to reach maturity. With notes floral, almond, and chive.

GOLD:

Mezcal Carreño Tepeztate, 92 Proof: One of the scarcer varietals, it can take more than 25 years for the Tepeztate to mature, and the taste gives it full-bodied and earthy characteristics.

SILVER

Mezcal Carreño Espadín, 92 Proof: Distilled from wild Espadín, this is a fresh take on the most common species of mezcal, offering hints of pear, wild roses, and oak.

Mezcal Carreño Tobasiche, 90 Proof: Full-bodied with a sweet aroma of papaya with cedar and cooked agave finished on this mezcal. Produced from the Tobasiche agave that resembles a Joshua tree in shape taking 12 to 14 years in the wild to mature.

Mezcal Carreño is currently exclusively sold in Arizona. Please visit www.MezcalCarrenoUS.com/Find-Us  to find the premium spirit in a liquor store, restaurant or hotel near you. Remember you can support your local restaurant and request a bottle of Carreño for takeout or delivery orders!

San Francisco World Spirits Competition Results: https://www.sfspiritscomp.com/results/

About Mezcal Carreño: For more than 100 years, the Carreño family has been producing artisanal mezcal in San Dionisio Ocotlán, a town of just 1,000 people in Oaxaca, Mexico. Using traditional and sacred techniques passed down from generation to generation, Mezcal Carreño started in 1904 by Don Apolonio Carreño on a former sugar cane farm. Knowing the value of his mezcal, Apolonio only shared his mezcal with family and friends. However, it wasn’t long before his mezcal became well-known throughout the community. In 2010, Apolonio’s granddaughter, Lorena, went through the process of certifying the family’s mezcal with the Mexican Regulatory Council of the Quality of Mezcal. In 2018, Apolonio’s great-grandson, Ivan Carreño, brought Mezcal Carreño to the United States for the first time with longtime friend Abel Arriaga. Both Ivan and Abel’s passion for mezcal and the culture around it have inspired them to share Mezcal Carreño. Today, there are five unique varieties of Mezcal Carreño including Espadín, Tobalá, Tobasiche, Tepeztate, and Ensamble 7 which are still handcrafted on the family’s land in Oaxaca.
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About the San Francisco World Spirits Competition: The San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC) is a member of The Tasting Alliance, the parent organization of the world-renowned San Francisco International Wine Competition, New York World Wine & Spirits Competition, and Singapore World Spirits Competition. In the Competition’s twenty-year history, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC) has established itself as one of the most respected judging events in the world. The judges are among the spirits industry’s most trusted authorities, not only on the subject of quality spirits, but also on the regional tastes and trends that drive the spirits markets. The Tasting Alliance Competitions are considered the most influential for a reason. They have elevated the reputation of many brands, and represent the ultimate curator for wine and spirits. Receiving a medal from the organization is a critical next step for any producer to earn recognition in the industry.

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