Differentiators

Generations In The Making

From the first saplings of Mizunara oak planted on Hokkaido in 1800, to the wild Blue Weber agave growing along an ancient volcano, dormant for 220,000 years and tended since 1850, many generations have passed until this vision has been fulfilled.

And like a blink of a lifetime, a flash in the darkness, where light and life come to be, we can pour, sip and relish the rarest of moments. We humbly stand on the shoulders of giants to offer this drink. And in our gratitude for those that came before us, we bow our heads in honor and a quiet peace that such a history could impart. Gratefully, we thank you for taking the time to get to know our vision, our passion and our forbearers.

To all this, we are fulfilled in the journey. Our time has been well spent, if only we bring a single smile, a knowing acceptance, a nod of appreciation to those who’ve seen, learned, tasted and shared this vision- with us, and those who’ve come before, given their all and ultimately paved this road for us.

The Historical Significance of Mizunara Oak  

As many of you may know, the period of World War II was an extremely difficult time for numerous countries, including Japan. One major issue during that time was that Japan had no access to imports. Therefore, Japanese whiskey producers were finding it increasingly difficult to secure barrels for maturation during that period.

With a high demand for whisky, and with no hope of importing European or American oak to the country, Japanese whisky makers had to find an alternative. This alternative turned out to be Japanese oak, better known as Mizunara.

Soon after the discovery of Mizunara oak for whisky, which was used, up until then, in the construction of expensive furniture, Japanese coopers and whisky makers discovered several issues.

Firstly, Japanese oak has a much higher moisture content that other types of oak, making it much more difficult to work with. Secondly, it also doesn’t grow straight. Thirdly, a tree needs to be at least 200 years old before it can be made into a proper cask. Lastly, as the wood is more porous than other types of oak, Japanese oak casks are prone to leaking.

While we don’t know exactly when the real magic of Japanese oak shone through, it was discovered that Mizunara needed time to truly work into the spirits it held and impart the “right” flavors and aromas. In fact, many claim that one can experience the true character of Mizunara only after around two decades of maturation.

The Rarest Of The Rare 

Many rare spirit offerings have come along since the collection of fine objects transcended art and antiquities. Currently, there are global collectors of everything from motorsports, to watches, stamps, coins, gems and everything in between, contributing to a global economy unparalleled in scale.

As tequila surpassed whiskey in 2023 for the first time in history in terms of global sales, so has its collectors market blossomed. Fine and rare one-time releases have begun to take hold at the center stage of the world spirits market- tequila rapidly becoming its rising star.

Releases from fine distilleries have become not just fashionable, but rare and covetedamong collectors everywhere. As such, AguaDios Rare Ensamble, with its one-of-a-kind pedigree enjoys the rare caprices of such a distinction in its Inaugural release, numbered 001-1350, only, never again to be repeated. This places it firmly into a class of its own. As a never-before, never-again entry, its value will only increase. To wit, Numbers 001-0050 will be held back for auction by one of the major global spirit collectors auction houses in the near future. Till then, Cheers!

Unparalleled Relationships 

AguaDios conjures several cultures and relationships, dating back to the early 1800’s in Japan, the 1850’s in Mexico and the present day in the America. And from this fine confluence of family, tradition, history and yes, the undeniable marriage of art and alchemy, comes the most rare of all tequilas in this magical land called California.

Half a human lifetime in the making, never to be repeated again, AguaDios Ensamble represents the decades, ages and millennia of the rare elements, Earth, Water, Wind and Fire, to come together in a common bond, dedicated to the breadth and depth residing in the human spirit- the ultimate connection between mind, body and soul, expressed through the single lifetime of its Founder.

Never could have one imagined that ones life path would encompass so many distinct, yet different friendships, families and visions that would come together at a single point in time to create the unimaginable, to make available the unobtainable.

It is said that, “the road you’re on is never the road you’re on.” Such has proven true for the disparate lives that the vision behind AguaDios has inadvertently curated behind the quest of its Founder, all on different paths, yet bound by destiny to meet at the same intersection.

There, you will find a well, windlass and fine sampling glass and from it you may draw but one measure and drink. For once this Inaugural Ensamble release has been passed along to its new friends, there will never be another. Never. So sit, relax and let go. Feel the sun on your face, the warmth upon your shoulders, the timeless elegance of this place. Look around. You are surrounded by friends and loved ones. We are all of one mind. Now raise you glass with us in rarity, truth, trust and love- for the land, people and traditions that mark this rare moment. And sip, smile, reflect and dream, with us…

Tasting Notes

Nose: The nose continues to expand, more vanilla 
blossom and honeysuckle, sweetly floral. The agave spirit aromatic has deepened, is now more foundational and grounding the whole thing. Cedar still here, but also cherry wood, much warmer.The spice pack is starting to include clove and star anise, a lick warmer than licorice. A hint of fleshy tropical fruit.

Palate: The "tequila" flavor is magnified, but has made room for company. Cardamom, licorice, probably buried in the whiskey-soaked oak, warm spice, Malabar pepper, orange-grapefruit peel, vanilla, marzipan, spicy oak.

Finish: The finish is warm in the mouth but cooling in the sinus. The tequila flavor lingers but is still spiked with the attitude of the Mizunara barrel.

Barrel Notes: After the glass has dried overnight, what lingers to the nose first thing in the morning are the barrel notes behind the now vaporized alcohol spirit. These fall in line with rich vanilla, cherry, caramel, apricot, cinnamon, clove and a hint of fleeting agave/rose intermingled. A fascinating combination for sure. These will appear within two hours of finishing the glass, yet will be more prominent the next day.