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07-09-2009
Rosangel, the world’s first-ever hibiscus-infused tequila continues to blossom with recent accolades from industry leaders and strong consumer sales growth. Since the product’s launch in February, Rosangel has wowed mixologists, bartenders, spirits insiders and the tequila-drinking public with its fresh approach to infused tequila and delicious, versatile flavor profile.
“We set out to make a superior liquid and made no sacrifices along the way,” said Michelle Sanders, Senior Marketing Manager, Proximo Spirits. “We’re thrilled that industry leaders and consumers appreciate the product we’ve created and we hope their enthusiasm remains high for Rosangel as we grow the brand in the coming months.”
Most recently Rosangel was awarded Best of Class recognition in the Agave Spirits category at the New York Spirits Awards in June. Judging is based on a blind tasting by spirits industry trade members including mixologists, bar chefs, sommeliers, bar owners and managers, and buyers for top spirits retailers.
In April, at the 2009 San Francisco World Spirits Competition – the largest spirits competition in the U.S. – Rosangel was honored with a Double Gold medal in the flavored-spirits category. This distinction is only awarded when the entire panel of judges agrees that the expression is worthy of a Gold Medal.
Rosangel also received a Four-Star – Highly Recommended rating from F. Paul Pacult’s Spirit Journal. In his review Pacult heralded Rosangel as, “a sterling addition to the already strong Gran Centenario line.” During a recent bartender training at Clover Club in Brooklyn, NY, Pacult also noted Rosangel was the “gold standard” for the flavored tequila category.
Strong sales have been the proof in the pudding for how well Rosangel has been received by consumers. In its first month on the bar and on shelves, Rosangel ranked second on the Nielsen rating of new UPCs in the spirits category besting a number of other tequilas and infused spirits.
“Rosangel is paving the way for an entirely new and innovative way to enjoy tequila. It’s got a complexity mixologists gravitate towards, but it’s also deliciously straightforward and easy to sip,” said Sanders. “We are excited to see Rosangel-fever continue to spread throughout the nation’s tequila enthusiasts, as well as to consumers new to this fast-growing category of spirits.”
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02-03-2009
FEBRUARY 3, 2009 – Gran Centenario® ultra-premium Tequila announces the national launch of its newest tequila – Gran Centenario Rosangel™ – the first-ever hibiscus-infused tequila. Made with Gran Centenario Reposado Tequila, the world’s most awarded Reposado, Rosangel is the perfect liquid for mixing in classic tequila recipes like the margarita, or for adding a delicious and unique creativity to a variety of popular cocktails.
“We are very excited to expand our Gran Centenario Tequila portfolio to include an offering that adds a fun and sophisticated twist to our ultra-premium line-up,” said Michelle Sanders, Senior Marketing Manager, Proximo. “Rosangel speaks to both women’s and men’s palates and is superb when enjoyed neat, on the rocks or mixed into cocktails.”
Rosangel has already excited the media and trade, F. Paul Pacult, editor of F. Paul Pacult's Spirit Journal and author of Kindred Spirits 2 states “This beguiling, brand new tequila is seriously attractive and has a flawless purity. The liquid is an aged Reposado tequila--and pays tribute to Gran Centenario tequila’s legacy and award winning heritage--and yet, it’s also something altogether new. Rosangel reinvigorates an otherwise familiar spirit, adding an entirely new dimension of taste and possibility to tequila.”
Rosangel is poised to become the new tequila of choice for creatively updating classic cocktails such as Gran Centenario Rosangel’s signature “Rosangel Margarita,” which includes agave nectar, fresh squeezed juices and a splash of ginger ale. Recipes like this one highlight the quality of the spirit by featuring fruity, yet floral, notes, a uniqueness and refinement that can only be achieved with Rosangel. Favorites such as the Cosmopolitan and the Tequila Sunrise are also ripe for reinvigoration with Rosangel, as are new and unique cocktails such as Spiked Pink Lemonade and Pink Sangria. Whether for home entertaining or for mixologists behind the bar, Rosangel’s versatility encourages experimentation with savory flavors, sweet ingredients or anything in between.
“Tequila is one of my favorite spirits to mix with!” said Julie Reiner, renowned mixologist, consultant and owner of Flatiron Lounge, NYC, and Clover Club in Brooklyn. “I haven't tasted very many flavored spirits that have impressed me, but the new Rosangel tequila from Gran Centenario is fantastic. Growing up in Hawaii, hibiscus was a huge part of my young life, so when Rosangel was introduced, I was thrilled. Finally someone created an infused tequila that is versatile, interesting, and fun to work with. Rosangel works beautifully with my new age tropical style of mixology, it will surely make the menu at both Clover Club and Flatiron Lounge.”
Inspired by Rosangel, the first-ever hibiscus infused tequila, Julie Reiner, owner of Flatiron Lounge, NYC, and Clover Club in Brooklyn, created her own delicious cocktail to share:
The Rosangel™ Ruby Fizz
Ingredients:
2 ounces Rosangel Tequila
½ ounce Agave Syrup
½ ounce Ruby Port
1 bar spoon Pomegranate Molasses
¾ ounce Lemon Juice
½ ounce Egg WhitePreparation:
Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a highball glass with one large ice cube. Top with Club Soda and garnish with a cherry.Rosangel Tasting Notes:
Rosangel yields a complex, perfumed nose with ripe fruit and floral notes, plus hints of vanilla. The palate holds flavors of dried fruits, which leads to a smooth and gentle finish. The sophisticated sunset pink color visually stimulates the senses and encourages cocktail experimentation.Production Process:
Like all Gran Centenario Tequilas, Rosangel is made of the finest, sweetest, highest quality 100% Highland blue agave, chosen after a generous life of 10 to 12 years, beyond the usual eight years for other tequilas. The hearts of the agave are baked for up to 72 hours in traditional clay ovens to guarantee that even the subtlest flavors of the agave remain. After the resulting liquid is fermented and distilled, it rests in new French Limousin white oak barrels for a minimum of 10 months, after which it is blended with a small amount of older Tequila reserves for character and balance. To make Rosangel, the Reposado tequila is further rested for two months in Port barrels, which imparts Rosangel’s sunset pink hue and deepens the complexity of its flavor. Finally, the liquid is infused with the natural flavor of delicately sweet Mexican Hibiscus flowers, a staple in Mexican culture and cuisine. Rosangel is the world’s first and only Reposado tequila infused with Hibiscus flowers.Gran Centenario Rosangel (40% Alc./Vol.) is packaged in an art-deco inspired bottle and retails for $36.99/750 ml at premier retailers nationwide. Rosangel will be available in March at the finest evening establishments across the country, as well as online where legal. For more information, please contact grancentenario@mbooth.com or visit www.Rosangel.com.
About Gran Centenario
Handcrafted in Jalisco, Mexico, Gran Centenario's select portfolio of 100% blue agave tequilas are made using the original Selección Suave (smooth selection) process devised by its creator, Lazaro Gallardo, in 1857. This unique process blends newly rested tequilas with the smoothest, aged tequila reserves creating the highest quality and best tasting tequila available. The result is a collection of four award-winning, ultra-premium tequilas - Plata (silver), Reposado (rested), Añejo (aged) and Leyenda, extra Añejo (legend) - each one heralded for its fine quality and unique flavor – along with the portfolio’s newest addition, Rosangel.About Proximo Spirits, Inc.
Proximo Spirits is a newly formed, privately owned, premium spirits distributor based in New York. In addition to Gran Centenario Tequila, the company portfolio includes 1800® Tequila, Three Olives Vodka®, Maestro® Dobel Diamond™ Reposado Tequila, as well as the exquisite Ron Matusalem® Rum brand. -
01-01-2008
In 1857, Lazaro Gallardo, a tavern owner and tequila producer, invented a unique tequila-making process called Seleccion Suave, or Smooth Selection. This unique process blended newly rested tequilas with the smoothest, aged tequila reserves creating the highest quality and best tasting tequila available.
In the late 1800s, Lazaro Gallardo named his tequila Gran Centenario to commemoratethe beginning of a new century and began selling it at his tavern. In 1920, Lazaro's son, Luciano, decided to bottle Gran Centenario. Inspired by the Art Deco style of architecture, he designed a bottle similar to the one we use today.
Additionally, the makers of Gran Centenario still use the Seleccion Suave process when crafting this deluxe tequila.