Tequila Ocho, which just arrived here from Arandas in Jalisco, Mexico, bills itself as "the first ultra premium single estate tequila to be introduced into the U.S. market in vintages." Rather than the usual method of blending crops, the agave plants from which Ocho is made are sourced from single estates, i.e. individual plots of land with their own microclimates.

Because of the time it takes the agave to mature, each estate's fields cannot be replenished for almost ten years after a harvest, making each one unique and, according to Ocho, highly collectible. The agave is slowed cooked in stone ovens and undergoes open-air fermentation in wooden casks. Each bottle is numbered by hand and stamped with the estate name of each vintage. Ocho is available in Plata, Reposado, and Anejo (above) bottlings.

[via Affluent Page]

Maestro Dobel, just launched this month, is the first ever diamond tequila. What does that mean? Apparently it means that it's incredibly clear, incredibly strong, and incredibly expensive. It's a blend of 3 different types of tequila, and in keeping with the diamond theme the creators of Maestro Dobel measure its superiority according to 4 C's: clarity, complexity, crispness, and craftsmanship.

Look for Maestro Dobel starting this month in select establishments in Los Angeles, Boston, Milwaukee and Atlanta with a suggested retail price of $74.99.

Siembra Azul, the small-batch, boutique tequila brand, is unveiling its highly anticipated aged Anejo.

This first batch of Siembra's Anejo has been aged for 18 months in barrels of virgin "medium toast" American white oak to give it richness and character.

Each subsequent bottling will vary in its maturing period depending on weather conditions impacting the quality of the year's agave crop.

Siembra Azul literally means "Blue Harvest." The super-premium spirit is double-distilled.

The company, which also makes a crisp, young Blanco and an elegant, gently aged Reposado all in similarly-designed modern bottles, grows its 100% blue agave during the winter months in the town of Arandas, in the Highlands of Jalisco, Mexico.

See the gallery for more.

Endorsement deals are a great way for celebrities to make extra money. Increasingly they also seem to be getting the endorsers in trouble because deals usually come with a certain level of brand loyalty. The latest in the hot seat is P. Diddy who has a deal with Ciroc vodka. Several sources have reported that Diddy has been seen drinking the pricey 1800 tequila which my colleague Jared Paul Stern mentioned the other day. Usually this wouldn't be a huge issue but P. Diddy has received $100 million to be the brand builder for Ciroc. Eurweb reports that he has issued a press release saying that he's given up "champagne and tequila" and that his PR folks say that the reports of his tequila swilling are false. The NY Post reported just a couple of weeks ago that he was seen drinking Malibu rum and pineapple cocktails, which he also denied.

1800, the 100% blue Agave tequila that takes it name from the year in which the spirit was first aged in wood, has just launched a new addition to its ultra-premium offerings: 1800 Select Silver.

The potent 100 proof elixir is double distilled and blended with a touch of aged tequila, and bottled with a glass stopper that doubles as a shot glass (very convenient).

Select Silver joins 1800's impressive range which includes Silver, Reposado, Anejo, and one of the category's most expensive tequilas, 1800 Coleccion, an extra-Anejo that's available in a hand-made, limited edition decanter of pure silver, costing $25,000. And no, that's not a typo.

If you're shelling out hundreds of dollars for a bottle of ultra-premium aged tequila, you obviously want to drink it out of a suitable glass. At that price range the spirit is meant to be sipped like a fine cognac rather than knocked back Spring Break style. With that in mind Tequila Don Julio, arguably the world's first ultra-premium tequila - founder Don Julio Gonzalez Estrada revolutionized Reposado style tequila production in Mexico back in 1942 - set out to create the ultimate tequila snifter. The company commissioned award-winning architect Jeffrey Beers to design the ideal glass for sipping their most exclusive offerings, particularly their $350 extra-añejo Real which is aged for three to five years in American Oak barrels and comes in a special decanter.

Beers worked closely with Don Julio's Master Distiller to design the crystal vessel. "Each and every nuance of the rich, smooth Real was taken into consideration during the design process, making each cut and curve essential for the architecture of the perfect sip," the company notes. The mouth blown, hand cut European crystal snifter has a "faceted, jewel-like quality with intricate cuts to help swirl the tequila and release its rich aromas." The limited edition glassware will be sold in sets of two for $350 at select retailers such as The Future Perfect in New York and Show in Los Angeles beginning this fall.

Following on the heels of Jay-Z and Damon Dash, Dr. Dre has announced a new beverage venture. He is partnering with Drinks Americas (the same people behind Trump Vodka and Willie Nelson's Old Whiskey River Bourbon) on a new line of non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages. The first products will be a premium cognac selection, followed by a sparkling vodka. He also has plans to create a tequila.

Dre's got some excellent company in the booze business, rappers, rock stars, moguls and even dead presidents have lent their names and faces to spirits. Check out the list in the gallery below.

The number 13 can swing both ways when it comes to being lucky or unlucky, but Jose Cuervo seems confident that for them the pendulum is firmly on the "good luck" side for their 13th edition of Reserva de la Familia. The Reserva de la Familia line is considered to be a collectible masterpiece by connoisseurs around the world, and the 2008 edition is no exception. Made from 100% pure blue agave that's hand-selected and grown in some of the best volcanic soils, the vintage reserve comes in a handcrafted wooden box featuring a different Mexican artist every year -- this year Fernanda Brunet was chosen.

The 2008 Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia will be available in the U.S. starting in March for approximately $100/
bottle.

There are as many different kinds of Valentines as there are ways to celebrate. While candy is dandy, we all know that liquor is quicker, and if you are creative, it can be pretty romantic. The act of mixing a cocktail, the measuring and shaking and combining,pouring it into the perfect glass and garnishing with just the right touch can show more care than just picking up a bouquet or a box of candy.

Everyone has their favorite tastes and so knowing what your Valentine, even if it's just a friend you are celebrating with, enjoys is key. Just as red roses are not everyone's favorite flower, not everyone swoons for a chocolate martini. And yet showing up with the same old bottle is no fun either. Showing up with something new gives you a chance to play and experiment. And it's easier than trying to bake something. It can even be lower calorie. For example, one ounce of the tempting new Cafe Boheme, a creme liqueur made with coffee French vodka with creme and vanilla has 75 calories. The liqueur, which is sweet without being cloying and doesn't have that oddly chalky taste I've noticed in some other creme liqueurs, can be used to make an espresso martini with vodka, a dollop of whipped cream and a garnish of chocolate covered coffee beans.

For wine pairing ideas for Valentine's Day check out the picks from Natalie MacLean here.

The gallery below includes ideas of liquors to choose for all kinds of evenings for the sweet and romantic, to the girls night in to the hot and spicy and even the right drink to bring your Gothic valentine.

Earlier this week I came across the "80 things to watch in 2008" list from advertising agency JWT. It's is an interesting take on what might be hot next year. Some of the things make easy sense like actress Keira Knightley who is currently on the big screen in "Atonement," Beijing in 2008 (the upcoming Olympics will be held there), and various things eco (eco-fatigue, blue as the new green, green weddings and carbon tax) all made the list. For luxspotters, there are a couple interesting notes such as the rise of hot fashion names Phillip Lim and Vena Cava, the humbling of the hedge fund manager and skiing in unique spots like Kashmir, Japan and Greenland. As someone who follows the wine and spirits world I was struck by number 69 on the list: tequila is the new wine. It's an ambitious statement but I'm not sure I buy it. First of all, tequila production has grown but it is in no way poised to take wine which is produced all around the world. And while people are starting to have an increased appreciation for handcrafted and artisanal tequilas, it's nothing even close to the world of wine connoisseurship. Now, tequila is the new vodka, and that I'll believe.

The latest tequila-based import from Mexico is Espanta Suegras, a liqueur with herbal flavors that can serve as an aperitif or an after-dinner drink. The drink is based on an old family recipe that came to Mexico via Barcelona, Spain. Each bottle of Espanta Suegras comes with a blow out party favor which in Mexico are colloquially called "espanta suegras," literally meaning "the one for scaring off mothers-in-law." The new liqueur is currently available in Arizona, California, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, and Wisconsin, and will be available in additional states soon. It sells for around $30.

I've mentioned Partida tequila before, now they have unveiled an ultra-premium version for tequila connoisseurs. Partida Tequila Elegante is an extra añejo tequila which is aged more than 36 months in American oak. The tequila is made of 100% blue agave which is hand harvested and cooked in stainless steel autoclaves. The tequila comes in a gift box which includes a crystal top for the bottle so it can serve as a decanter once the tequila is finished. The bottle also has a Mexican sterling silver Partida Tequila Spirit Bird on a black leather strap tied around the neck. It sells for $350 and will be available this fall.


[via The Tasting Panel]

When you think of environments where you might find an outrageously expensive drink a western theme with beef brisket and bull-riding probably doesn't come to mind. But then all kinds of strange things happen in New York, and the restaurant located in Rockefeller Center called Johnny Utah's is no exception. That expensive drink is a $51 margarita called the Vault, and it's made with Herradura Suprema tequila, grilled lime juice, and agave syrup. Seems pretty simple, but then usually simple is best.

Another hot addition to the tequila market is Gran Maracame, a tequila range from Tequila Supremo. The tequila range includes Plata, a white tequila, Resposado aged nine months, Añejo, aged 18 months and the newest version, Platino, a blend of white and aged tequila. Each Maracame bottle features original artwork handcrafted by Huichol artisans from Western Central Mexico. There is a decorative image on the wooden case and a a traditional miniature necklace around the neck of the bottle and an embroidered cloth bag. A percentage of each bottle sold is donated to a foundation set up to secure the development of the Huichol communities. More than 400 Huichol families currently work for the brand. The Platino sells for $199 and the other are in the 49-$76 price range.

[via The Moodie Report]

If you thought Cabo Uno sounded expensive, get ready for the next phase of ultimate tequila consumption. Patron has launched Gran Patron Burdeos, a tequila aged in French and American oak and then aged in barrels sourced from Chateaux Margaux. The pricey concoction comes in a crystal bottle with a crystal stopper and comes in a black walnut box. The tequila has a suggested retail price of $500. But the only place I have seen it online is at The Cellar for $750.