Tequila Ocho Joins Forces with Ferrand Cognac For ‘Extremely Limited’ Añejo

(Photo: Tequila Ocho)

On Tuesday, Tequila Ocho unveiled its new limited-edition añejo tequila, which will make use of Ferrand Cognac casks, marrying the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico, with the riverside vineyards of Charente, France.

According to the team, the Barrel Select Añejo begins with agaves harvested exclusively from Rancho Las Raices, one of several single-estate fields that the brand cultivates near its distillery. The spirit is then aged for a full year in seasoned Ferrand Cognac casks before being bottled at 88.8 proof (Tequila Ocho, whose name simply translates to “Tequila Eight,” is very fond of incorporating its namesake number into releases, however on the nose it may seem).

Fans are told to expect aromas of cherry, ground cinnamon, celery and wet earth, followed by a palate of salted caramel, vibrant minerality, ginger and fresh sawdust. An “extremely limited” allocation of bottles is slated to hit the market in August at a suggested retail price of $124.99. Outside of the US, the añejo is also expected to make appearances in France, Greece, Spain and the United Kingdom.

“Among the many things our families have in common is taking great care to honor the generations that came before us and laid the groundwork for us to thrive doing exactly what we love,” maestro tequilero Carlos Camarena remarked in a news release. “This collaboration represents the latest chapter in our respective legacies and we look forward to sharing the story with everyone.”

It’s the latest in a string of releases marrying the fan-favorite tequila maker with distillers far and wide. Last year, Tequila Ocho joined forces with Old Fitzgerald Bourbon for a pair of bottlings that quickly became collector’s items on the secondary market. Other releases saw the brand collaborate with Brooklyn’s Widow Jane Distillery as well as Planteray Rum, which is also owned under the Maison Ferrand umbrella of brands.