Originally developed in 1924 and served exclusively to family and friends of the manor at Mexico's Hacienda del Refugio, Antiguo tequila has never been sold in the U.S. - until now.

The super-premium brand was launched commercially in Mexico in 1995 to commemorate Casa Herradura's 125th anniversary (est. 1870) of producing the world's finest tequila, using the original formula that was kept a secret for almost a century.

Antiguo is crafted using only 100% pure agave to be a lighter bodied, exceptionally smooth and mellow spirit. Distilled at 80 proof, it has a suggested 750ml retail price of $24.99 to $29.99 here depending on the expression: Blanco, Reposado and Añejo, in handsome vintage-inspired bottles with Herradura's signature horseshoe motif.

Starting in October, the Añejo expression of Tequila el Jimador, the #1 selling tequila in Mexico, will be available here in a new package that aligns its look with its Blanco and Reposado offerings. The new Añejo package will initially be available in California and Texas, and will roll out to the remainder of the U.S. by year's end. The new look features the same classic tall, angular bottle as the other expressions (above) and identical iconography of the Jimador on the label to pay tribute to the proud men that harvest the agave plants used to make the 12-month aged 100% agave tequila. Tequila el Jimador is produced by Casa Herradura, which was named "2007 Best Distiller of the Year" by Wine Enthusiast magazine. Since 2000, Tequila el Jimador has received numerous accolades from industry insiders, including the Adams Beverage Media Growth Brand Award in the Fast Track Category for 2005 and 2006.

Proximo Spirits, Inc. and 1800 Tequila have announced the release of the second collection of limited edition Essential Artists bottles designed by 11 up and coming artists from all over the US, and one "celebrity artist" (Shepard Fairey's Studio Number One). The 11 designs were gathered from over 15,000 online submissions and were selected by 1800 Tequila. The 12th special-edition bottle is by Studio Number One a group of rising star designers headed by artist Shepard Fairey who gained global notoriety this year for his Obama "Hope" design. Artist StevOramA's design was the $10,000 Grand Prize Winner and his design has been given a starring role in the series. Other artists include Ian McGillivray, Nickelyn Reames, danyol, Leyland "Lee" DeVito, Danielle Salinas, Chad Shore, Mark Sweeney, Branden Tintiangco, Chuck Trunks, and Michelle Villasenor. To find the bottles, which retail for $24.99 each, consumers can enter their zip codes into the "Liquor Locator" on 1800Tequila.com to find the series in their area. The contest will re-launch at the end of this year, inviting artists to submit their own bottle designs for a chance at inclusion in the next series.

I don't find myself linking to a lot of tequila commercials but the new spots that former Sopranos star Michael Imperioli has shot for 1800 Silver Tequila are pretty slick. My favorite is the one where he flips over the bottle showing how the top can be used to pour a perfect shot of the super premium tequila. The ads take firm aim at Patrón, one spot shows Imperioli knocking a bottle of Patrón off a table. The ads will air on cable channels including ESPN and Comedy Central. Imperioli also strikes a commanding pose on the 1800 Tequila website.

Nothing says summer like an evening of margaritas (or to some, a night of tequila shots -- no "training wheels"). Tres Generaciones is ending the summer with a big, delicious bang with new bottles for their 100 percent blue agave tequilas, and some great cocktail recipes to boot.

A little background: super-premium Tres Generaciones is named for the three generations of the Sauza family who've been perfecting the art of creating tequila. The Plata tequila ($45.99) is a brilliant, clear, and triple distilled, and has a good kick of white pepper and a grassy finish -- an excellent shooting tequia.

The Reposado ($47.99), aged in American oak for at least four months, is also triple distilled and is my personal choice of the three for a margarita. The aging gives the pale gold tequila a smoothness and warm body, and the white pepper still pops through at the end.

Tres Generaciones Anejo ($49.99) is aged for at least 12 months, and is specially crafted for sipping all on its own. A great tequila for whiskey drinkers, the body of the anejo is smooth and complex with caramel and toasted oak notes. The clean agave flavor shines through.

The new bottles are crafted in the original, easily-recognizable shape, but feature medallions of the three founding Dons of Sauza and metal beaten collars, as well as weighty wood-and-cork stoppers. These have been rolling out since January, and you should be seeing them by October no matter where you live. Prices may vary of course -- and now onto the cocktails:

The Sweet Breeze -- a refreshing way to end the summer
1.5 oz Tres Generaciones Plata or Reposado
.5 oz Agave nectar
2 oz Fresh lemon sour and the juice from half a lime
1 Diced strawberry
1 Peeled Ruby red grapefruit segment
2 Basil leaves

Mddle the strawberry, grapefruit and basil. Add tequila, lemon sour and lime juice, and agave nectar. Shake and pour over ice -- garnish with an additional grapefruit wedge wrapped in a basil leaf.

Too complicated? Then go for ...

The Holy Mole -- a great way to ring in the fall
1.5 oz Tres Generaciones Anejo
.5 oz DeKuyper Hot Damn Cinnamon Schnapps
To Taste Hot chocolate

In a pre-heated coffee mug, add the tequila and schnapps. Fill with your favorite double-rich hot chocolate. Garnish with whipped cream, a sprinkle of cinnamon and a cherry.

This fall Jose Cuervo will release a limited edition 250 Aniversario Tequila retailing for $2,250. The special bottling commemorates the historic birth of tequila production and the establishment of 10 generations of Cuervo family tradition: on November 2, 1758 King Carlos of Spain granted Don Jose Antonio de Cuervo the first plot of land on which to cultivate agave. In anticipation of the 250th anniversary, expert Jose Cuervo jimadores planted blue agave on the same land granted in 1758 and used these estate-grown plants exclusively in the production of Jose Cuervo 250 Aniversario. This precision was utilized to ensure every decanter maintains a direct link to this historic event and pays tribute to the centuries of labor and family passion that led to the creation of an industry.

Jose Cuervo 250 Aniversario is a 100 percent blue agave Extra Añejo Tequila blended from the most select tequilas in the family's reserve and aged in a unique double-cask method. The best of these Extra Añejos, aged in toasted new American Oak barrels for a minimum of three years, were selected by the master distiller and blended together to achieve a superior tequila. The distinctive blend was then finished for 10 months in Sherry casks originating from Spain. The decanter was inspired by the original glass bottle first used by Jose Cuervo to ship Tequila to towns throughout Mexico. Each comes packaged in elegant oak gift box and will have its sequential number etched into the glass, certifying the product's rarity and authenticity.

Not too long ago it was rare to meet those who considered themselves connoisseurs of tequila -- a drink known more for body shots and the occasional blackout. However, with the recent openings of tequila-only bars on East Coast and West, The Age of Agave could be upon us.

Enter 1800 Select Silver, a partially aged and double-distilled firewater that is the only 100-proof silver tequila in the world. Smooth on the way in, it fills the taste buds with fruit-tinged agave flavor before a soft finish. In fact, being easy to imbibe and 25 percent stronger than other silvers, in the wrong hands it could be too good -- it is, after all, still tequila.

It is also the world's only tequila to come with a ManCave. Until August 15, you can throw your name in the sombrero at www.1800tequila.com/mancave, and get a shot at winning $10,000 to create the ultimate hangout spot. Even though it's called a cave for men, we've met more than a few women hale enough to send us packing when the tequila flowed, so anyone should feel free to enter. And if you win, don't be surprised if we ask to come over...

[Source: 1800]

Earlier this year my colleague Deirdre Woollard reported that Justin Timberlake was launching a new brand of tequila dubbed 901 Silver.

The spirit is not trying to trade on his name however which does not appear on the bottle. Rather it's designed to appeal to connoisseurs looking for a fresh, modern take on tequila.

The ultra premium spirit is hand crafted in small batches using only 100% Blue Weber Agave. It's triple distilled for an ultra-smooth finish.

Timberlake and partners selected Tequilera Newton in the heart of Jalisco, Mexico to produce 901 after visiting more than 10 distilleries. Newton brings over three generations of craftsmanship and more than 60 years of experience.

Packaged in a distinctive multi-faceted bottle, the name 901 refers to both the area code for Timberlake's hometown of Memphis as well as the magic moment when the night's activities begin.

901 is initially available for purchase in New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and St. Louis.

I haven't tasted this one yet but if we are judging books by their covers and tequilas by their bottles this one might be worth checking out. DeLeon Tequila is a premium tequila in a very sexy thick glass bottle with the logo sandblasted on the front. The bottle is topped with an ornately wrought metal top, the master for which was hand-carved from a one-pound ball of sterling silver by rock 'n roll jewelry designer Bill Wall.

What's the story on what is inside? The brand says that DeLeon Tequila is produced in the highlands of Purisima del Rincon in a village named after the Immaculate Conception. The story is that a family has tended a distillery and grown agave in the soil of a mountainous region higher than 7,500 feet above sea level. They say that agave cultivated at this altitude is sweeter, with more honey, citrus, and floral notes. The water comes from two natural spring wells that exclusively serve the family's private distillery. And that's all the detail we're getting, no info on aging, barrels or the distilling process seems to be available. Currently in selected markets including New York, Las Vegas and Miami you can find a Diamante (silver) version for $129.99 and a Reposado for $142.99. The Extra Anejo is set to launch this fall.

In time for Father's Day, Corzo Tequila is offering personalized labels for their award winning bottles. The luxurious spirit is double aged and triple distilled, made with what's billed as twice the agave of other tequilas. The personalized labels, made of pure metal, can accommodate up to three lines of text, and best of all, they're free. They can be ordered exclusively online at www.corzo.com/labels/. Once ordered, the custom label is delivered to your door free of charge in approximately 4-6 days. The metal labels are made to fit all of Corzo's hand-bottled varieties: the classic Silver, Reposado (double aged in small white oak barrels) and full-bodied Anejo.

Tres Generaciones tequila is made from 100% Blue Weber agave in Jalisco, Mexico. It's been around for awhile but it's now proud to have a new bottle design, with inspirations that cover everything from three medallions that represent the three family generations to the artisans rendition of beaten metal on the top of the bottle that represents traditional Mexican art and craftsmanship. The tequila itself is triple distilled and based on three generations of wisdom grown from running a family business, and it's said to be smooth and clean with a slightly spicy finish. The new bottle design is also clean and classic, and seems to perfectly showcase the three available flavors of Anejo, Plata, and Reposado.

Via acquire

When the weather finally warms up in these parts we look forward to sitting out in the garden with the sun, the birds, a good book and a tall cool drink. We recently had the chance to try some great new candidates for quaffing - three (relatively) recent entries and one true classic - courtesy of William Grant & Sons spirits. Reyka is the first and only vodka to be distilled and bottled in Iceland. The small-batch, hand-crafted, ultra-pure spirit is distilled in a copper still imported from Scotland using barley, wheat, and spring water filtered through 4,000 year-old lava rock. Milagro super premium tequila is crafted in small batches from estate-grown 100% blue agave hand-selected in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. Using traditional clay ovens, Milagro slow roasts the agave six times longer than most tequilas, and uses a triple distillation process that imparts exceptional smoothness.

Sailor Jerry Rum bears the signature of Norman "Sailor Jerry" Collins, the father of old-school tattooing. Distilled to 92 proof, it's a strong, spiced, smooth spirit. Made from Sailor Jerry's personal recipe, it's handcrafted from pure, rich dark molasses, blending Carribean-style rum with vanilla, caramel and various spices. And Lillet, an aperitif blended from 85% wine and 15% citrus liqueurs from France, was established way back in 1872. The wines are carefully selected in the Podensac area and citrus liqueurs are produced through the maceration of cold fruit peels in pure distilled spirits over several months. It's then aged in oak to acquire a soft, rich character. We're partial to the Blanc variety with its hints of honey, candied orange, lime, and mint.

So I will be toasting tonight with Casa Noble tequila, which just received USDA organic certification. It still doesn't quite qualify as health food, but Casa Noble's triple-distilled tequilas are made from the organically-grown slow roasted hearts of blue agave cactus, fermented without additives, and aged in French White Oak barrels. The Añejo rests two years in the barrels and it's smooth, woody and just a touch fruity. It retails for $59.95, and the beautifully designed purple decanter is an added bonus. In a nod to fine whiskey, Casa Noble also has started to offer a limited edition single barrel line. For this version, the Añejo rests for five years, and costs $129.95.

Note: Post corrected, see comments.

What does Justin Timberlake have in common with Sammy Hagar and Vince Neil? No, not band breakups, tequila. Justin Timberlake, who already has a restaurant and a fashion line to his credit now also has a tequila named 901. The name comes from the area code for Memphis, Timberlake's hometown and is also meant to suggest the moment that evening slips into night.

The tequila will be sourced from Jalisco, Mexico and is expected to sell for $40. As Martini Groove uncovered the Tequila 901 website defaults to the AsomBroso tequila company which seems to be behind Timberlake's tequila. People reports that the liquor will hit store shelves in early May in New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and St. Louis.

Flavored tequilas have been around for a couple of years but lately there seems to be a flowering of premium flavored brands. Tanteo Tequila offers three blanco tequilas infused with the flavors of Mexico that seem to be a natural fit for tequila :Jalapeño, Chocolate and Tropical. Tanteo is a 100% Weber blue agave tequila with natural extracts of jalepeño, chocolate and tropical fruit.. Tanteo is distilled, infused and bottled in the historic town of Tequila, Mexico. The flavors are elaborately crafted: Tanteo Jalapeño uses four separate infusions of organic jalapeños, Tanteo Chocolate gets its rich flavor from roasted, malted and raw cocoa, and the Tanteo Tropical combines all-natural extracts of mango, pineapple and guanabana. The brand recently launched in New York City and sells for $45.