New Tequila Aged in American, Mexican and Canadian Oak Pays Tribute to the FIFA World Cup

(Photo: Gran Centenario)

The FIFA World Cup is right around the corner, and tequila brands are already kicking off a liquor store’s worth of limited-edition releases paying homage to the tournament.

On Wednesday, Gran Centenario got in on the festivities with a reposado tequila aged in American, Mexican and Canadian oak — a boozy tribute to this year’s three host nations. According to the brand, the timely, if slightly gimmicky, release was aged for two months in a three-part mix of medium-toast Mexican oak (for “heritage and depth”), medium-char American oak (for “sweetness and structure”) and medium-char Canadian oak (for “balance and a subtle, layered difference”).

Though the distinction between those wood types will undoubtedly be difficult to parse out in the glass, the bottle makes something of a more defined statement. Decked out in splashy shades of black and gold, the label makes room for a soaring Mexican eagle and a soccer ball inscribed under the abbreviations “USA,” “MEX” and “CAN.” The 40%-ABV tequila is now available for pre-order for $42.99, with bottles expected to ship out at an unknown date.

Gran Centanario is one of several brands owned and operated by Proximo Spirits, by far the largest producer of tequila worldwide. In addition to Centenario, the firm is best known for Jose Cuervo, 1800, Maestro Dobel and Kevin Hart’s Gran Coramino.

“Fútbol has a rare ability to spotlight what makes each culture, community, and fanbase distinct, and how those differences can stand side by side proudly,” Lander Otegui, EVP of marketing and innovation at Proximo Spirits, said in a statement.

“For Centenario Tri-Nation Fútbol Reposado Tequila, we started from a place of Mexican pride and craftsmanship . . . and we aged this liquid in three distinct oaks that each contribute something unique, without losing what makes them different. This liquid honors the passion that turns the game into a celebration of identity, pride, and cross-cultural experience.”

Centenario’s is the latest in a string of releases tapping into the FIFA zeitgeist. Earlier this month, Clase Azul uncorked a Spirit of Champions decanter that hit the market at a staggering $1,700 (unusual by tequila standards, but firmly within the norm for Clase Azul). A few weeks earlier, Don Julio reimagined its flagship 1942 bottling with a FIFA-commemorative release clad in dark green and gold.