The Lost Explorer Reposado Tequila
J. Jesus Partida Melendez (NOM-1258), Amatitan, Mexico
40% ABV
Created by maestro tequilero Enrique de Colsa (formerly head distiller of Diageo’s Don Julio), the Tequila is produced in small batches at its distillery in the lowland valleys of Amatitán, Jalisco.
The Lost Explorer Tequila Reposado has been shaped through a unique blended resting process that has utilised Sauternes wine casks, Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks and Bourbon barrels.
De Colsa’s priority when signing on to the Lost Explorer project was to be able to control everything in the Tequila-making process, from choosing the yeast variety (Champagne) through to the double distillation and the ageing, and he knew having this complete autonomy was available to him with The Lost Explorer.
In the past, de Colsa says his primary barrel choice has always been ex-whiskey casks, as Bourbon is the standard in Tequila ageing, with about 70%-80% of Tequilas aged using ex-Bourbon barrels.
Bourbon, he says, supports classic cooked agave’s sweetness, honey and rounded notes without erasing the agave core. Therefore, to preserve the identity of Tequila, he chose to keep this element within his recipe to maintain consumer familiarity.
He started to trial a selection of barrels he imported from the US and Europe, as well as a few sourced from across Mexico. This led to the trial of 11 different cask varieties, with different woods and different former contents, including Sherry and other wine varieties he had never worked with before.
He settled on the trio of Sauternes, Pedro Ximénez Sherry and Bourbon as his perfect combination based on the flavour qualities each barrel brought to the final composition. The Bourbon barrels from Kentucky provided structure and balance, anchoring the profile with notes of vanilla, light smoke, and toasted oak.
In contrast, the Sauternes wine casks from Bordeaux, France, gently shape the spirit, lending a soft, rounded mouthfeel and a lifted aromatic profile that brings subtle floral and honeyed nuances.
Finally, the Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks from Jerez, Spain, add a delicate layer of sweetness and nutty richness, introducing hints of dried fruit and warm spice that complement the agave’s natural character.