High Proof Tequila Blanco Raises Funds for Endangered Jaguar Habitats in Mexico

(Photo: Alma Del Jaguar)

Alma Del Jaguar is expanding its conservation-centric tequila catalog with a seasonal 101-proof blanco expression.

Dubbed Nocturna, an homage to the jaguar’s nocturnal nature, the release is the latest from a distiller eager to wear its influences on its sleeve. The brand was launched in 2023 by spirits entrepreneur McCauley Williams, who was inspired by his uncle Rick Williams — co-founder of the  Northern Jaguar Project (NJP) — to pay it forward to Mexico’s wildlife population. The NJP is a bi-national conservation project dedicated not only to protecting the wild jaguars of Northern Mexico but also its rich tapestry of birds, plants, reptiles and invertebrates.

In its new high proof bottling, Alma Del Jaguar shakes up the formula with a combination of 80% wild yeast and 20% Champagne yeast imported from France. Similarly used by acclaimed imprints like Volcan de Mi Tierra and LALO, Champagne yeast delivers a distinctly crisp and fruity profile, one that founder McCauley Williams says elevates flavors of terroir within the spirit.

“This 20 percent variation may not sound like a lot, but it makes a profound difference,” Williams says. “Nocturna is a project that showcases the effect fermentation techniques, yeast strain, and seasonality have on the overall flavor profile of a tequila.”

The expression is now available for pre-order online at $64.99, with another bottling expected to hit the market in Fall 2024. Due to fluctuations in temperature and fermentation, the brand says that no two batches will be exactly alike. A portion of proceeds from all Alma Del Jaguar products go toward conservation organizations including the NJP and the Malpai Borderlands Group.

Commemorating the launch, the brand has put together an early preview of its “Bordering on Wild” documentary directed by Jesse Morgan. The film shifts its focus north of the border to 88-year-old cowboy Warner Glenn, a founding member of the Malpai Borderlands Group dedicated to protecting wildcats in Arizona.

Alma Del Jaguar Nocturna Tasting Notes, Per the Brand

• Nose: Cooked agave, orange zest, honey, cucumber, sea salt, and pepper
• Palate: Citrus-forward, sweet, with notes of honey, orange peel, cooked agave, and green pepper
• Finish: Crisp and peppery, with notes of orange, grapefruit, sea salt, mineral, and cooked agave

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