Love Drinks has added further depth to its portfolio after attaining the UK distribution rights for award-winning Mexican Mezcal company Casa Armando Guillermo Prieto (CAGP).
A growing trend in the last few years across the UK, Mezcal is defined as any agave-based liquor and can be made from over 30 varieties of agave, such as Espadín, Tobalá, Tobaziche, Tepeztate, Arroqueño and Blue Agave, which is famously used to make tequila.
As part of the agreement, Love Drinks will initially be launching the El Recuerdo Mezcal – made famous by its association with American mixed martial artist and UFC champion Jorge Masvidal – and the ultra-premium ZIGNUM® Mezcal, which scooped three golds, a double gold and a silver in the San Francisco Spirit Competition and SIP Awards in 2020.
Samantha Burke, Managing Director of Love Drinks, said: “The Mezcal star has been rising and even the pandemic hasn’t dented people’s interest and enthusiasm for it. These two brands have been leading the charge with flavour, authenticity, provenance and sustainability central to everything they do. Unlike how most tequila is consumed over here, mezcal is made to be savoured and works brilliantly with food so we’re excited by the prospects in 2021.”
The two brands and product ranges being rolled out to the UK ON-Trade include.
El Recuerdo Mezcal
El Recuerdo Mezcal is the essence of a vibrant and colourful Oaxaca; it’s attitude, character and pride in a bottle. El Recuerdo Mezcal is one of the best sellers in the industry. Recuerdo is Spanish for remembrance, keepsake, reminiscence, memento, souvenir.
El Recuerdo Mezcal is made from choice Agave Espadín plants and is crafted with traditional techniques.
It has a smoky flavor, a characteristic of the traditional Mezcals of the region, and an attribute connoisseurs seek. It is cooked over river rocks with certified pine and oak woods to achieve an environmentally-friendly product.
The river rocks are collected from the higher elevations of Oaxaca’s central valley rivers. Rocks and woods utilised at their distillery in Oaxaca, the Capital of Mezcal, are certified by the SEMARNAT (Mexican ministry of environmental protection), to ensure that care is taken of the planet’s biodiversity through a responsible and sustainable management of the local forests. Mezcal is a protected designation of origin.
EL RECUERDO Mezcal is launching together with UFC “BMF” Champion, JORGE MASVIDAL.
El Recuerdo Joven Mezcal
Joven (Spanish for young) without agave worm, for those looking for more traditional smoky notes, without extra complexity. A nose offering smooth herbal hints, it is beautifully balanced with sweet and slightly bitter flavours, herbal notes and fine smoke sparkles.
100% Agave Espadín
40% Alc./Vol.
700ml bottle
El Recuerdo Abocado con Gusano Mezcal
Abocado con Gusano (Spanish for enriched with agave worm) for those who prefer the silky texture the agave worm adds to the mezcal. Bright straw yellow in colour with gold sparkles, on the nose it’s cooked agave with smooth herbal notes and the exotic aroma of the maguey worm. Characteristics of cooked agave on the palate with sweet and bitter notes, and delicate smoke.
100% Agave Espadín
40% Alc./Vol.
700ml bottle
ZIGNUM® Mezcal
Rooted in Oaxaca, ZIGNUM® is one of the leading Mezcals in Mexico and Mexican Duty-Free channels, as well as the Most Awarded Mezcal in the World, noted for being exceptionally smooth and easy to drink.
ZIGNUM® Reposado and Añejo are aged in oak casks for more complexity and character.
Its new bottle identity is inspired by the beauty of the most important civilization of the Zapotec culture, Monte Albán; surprising city for its historical legacy.
ZIGNUM distillery’s unique Método Verde® Sustainability Programs are aimed at having the lowest possible environmental impact. ZIGNUM distillery is animal cruelty-free; operates its own wastewater treatment facility; uses solar energy for heating; is certified “Clean Industry” by Mexico’s Ministry for Environmental Protection, and Kosher, among other quality designations.
ZIGNUM® Joven Mezcal
Spending no time aging in oak, this young high class mezcal has a smooth, clean and refined agave backbone with floral and citrus notes and a silky, smooth finish.
100% Agave Espadín
40% Alc./Vol.
700ml bottle
ZIGNUM® Reposado Mezcal
ZIGNUM® Reposado is aged in American white oak barrels for a minimum of 8 months. Balanced and refined, it hits the sweet spot between delicate & intense and sweet & roasted, due the aging. Flavours of honey, vanilla and caramel balanced by bright hints of orange. Serve neat or add to a spirit-forward cocktail.
100% Agave Espadín
40% Alc./Vol.
700ml bottle
ZIGNUM® Añejo Mezcal
Aged in a combination of French and American oak for a minimum of 18 months, beyond the minimum time required by the regulations of the Denomination of Origin. A truly extraordinary mezcal, ZIGNUM® Añejo Mezcal showcases the expertise of the Maestro Mezcalero, who blends perfectly aged liquid from both French and American oak casks. Rich coffee, chocolate and maple syrup and a smooth, slightly sweet finish. Savoured neat, it makes any occasion a special one.
100% Agave Espadín
40% Alc./Vol.
700ml bottle
About Casa Armando Guillermo Prieto
From a distinguished background in the domestic drink market in Mexico, the 5th generation family-run business was able to follow their lifelong dream and launch their first mezcal brand in 2007. Established in the state of Oaxaca, Casa Armando Guillermo Prieto is now a leading player in the domestic, duty free and international Mezcal markets.
Working in a socially responsible way, the company aims to showcase its great love for the rich cultural heritage of Oaxaca. Catering for the beginners, early adopters, enthusiasts and experts, the company’s brands are in the top ten of the most sold and recognised brands in Mexico.
Combining time-consuming traditional methods with the latest technology, creativity and innovation, the company has four traditional brick ovens, over 1,500 American and French oak casks, a growing estate with 35 hectares of agave Espadín plants, and a state-of-the-art greenhouse for first generation agave cultivation.
The company continues to give back to the local community through jobs, the Fundación el Agave y Nosotros, which supports local artists, and the Fundación Don Antonio Rivera Venegas, which offers vital services like medical care, disaster relief and agronomical education.
About Love Drinks
Love Drinks is an independent import, distribution and marketing company for premium quality spirits, liqueurs and craft beers. Their portfolio represents quality, craft-distilled and family-owned brands that have a rich provenance, heritage and history.
Founded by Kirsty Loveday BEM in 2007, Love Drinks represent Abelha Organic Cachaça, The Bitter Truth Cocktail Range of Bitters and Liqueurs, Conker, Einstök Icelandic Craft Beers, Gosling’s Bermuda Rums, Hernö Gins, Pedrino Spritz, White Heron Drinks and the El Recuerdo and ZIGNUM® Mezcal Brands.
Love Drinks holds the silver accreditation for Investors in People and recently launched Love Well – a pioneering initiative to help the health and wellbeing of people working in the hospitality industry. The company was named Drinks Business Drinks Distributor of the Year in 2019.
For more information visit www.lovedrinks.com or follow on Facebook – @lovedrinksltd Instagram – @love_drinks_ltd or Twitter – @Love_Drinks. To speak to someone, call 0207 501 9630.
