Yamazaki Japanese Whisky Collides With El Tesoro Tequila For Limited-Edition ‘Mundial’ Bottling

(Photos: Suntory Spirits)

El Tesoro Tequila has unveiled the latest installment in its cask-finished Mundial Collection. While previous bottlings plumbed the cellars of Laphroaig, Knob Creek and Basil Hayden, this year’s limited-edition añejo will take drinkers on an overseas voyage to Japan.

On Tuesday, the brand unveiled El Tesoro Mundial: Yamazaki Edition, billed as the long-awaited collaboration between Carlos and Jenny Camarena, El Tesoro’s former and newly appointed master distillers, and Shinji Fukuyo, the House of Suntory’s fifth-generation chief blender.

The expression was aged 12 months in casks used to age 12-Year-Old Yamazaki Japanese whisky, after first being used to age sherry and wine. The expression is bottled at 42% ABV. According to the brand, fans can expect aromas of agave, dried fruit, honey and florals followed by a dense palate brimming with almonds, warm spices and toasted coffee beans. The tequila is rolling out this month at a suggested retail price of $199 — though supplies are unlikely to last, particularly considering the double cult appeal of El Tesoro and Yamazaki, two of the biggest names in their respective categories.

Yamazaki Edition is the first release from El Tesoro following Jenny Camarena’s appointment as master distiller in April. One of, if not the most prolific dynasties in additive-free distillation, the Camarena family is responsible for stewarding myriad fan favorites, including Tapatio, G4 and Tequila Ocho.

Jenny Camarena’s distillery, La Alteña, is best known for its citrus-forward highland agave recipe and the use of a two-ton volcanic stone tahona (a miniature version of which can be found on the cork of each of its bottles).

“Our Mundial Collection is one of the most exciting projects at La Alteña,” Camarena remarked in a news release. “Each time we release a new one, we show another way tequila can take the shape of something new that can express ideas and flavors one would never expect. My brother Carlos began working on the Yamazaki Edition years ago, and it’s been my pleasure to see it come to its final stage. We are so excited to bring a united piece of Mexico and Japan distilling and blending excellence to our fans.”

If you’re interested in learning more about El Tesoro, find our behind-the-scenes travel log to La Alteña here. We had a chance to visit the distillery last year ahead of the brand’s then-upcoming Basil Hayden Reposado. It was a fantastic edition, and we can’t wait to see how Yamazaki expands on the ambitious concept.