What we’re drinking: Teremana Small Batch Tequila, blanco and reposado releases.
Where it’s from: Teremana (basically, a combination of Latin and Polynesian words that means “Spirit of the Earth”) is the first spirits release from actor Dwayne Johnson and his co-founders Dany Garcia, Jenna Fagnan and Ken Austin. It’s distributed globally by Mast-Jägermeister.
Why we’re drinking this: Besides the celebrity angle? Teremana’s big push is for transparency — and to their credit, the back of the tequila’s label nicely lays out the agave, NOM, roasting methods, type of stills, barrels, calories, carb, sugars and some tasting notes.
The low-calorie, zero-sugar, zero-carbs, gluten-free (by the way, most spirits are gluten free unless they’re adding something artificial) designation here seems designed for the diet-conscious. Based on past interviews with everyone from Nick Jonas to Stephen Jenkins, it’s obvious that tequila remains the go-to spirit for the healthy jetset.
The two tequilas here are crafted from 100% mature blue weber agave from the Highlands of Jalisco, utilizing plants that are between six and eight years old. It’s brick oven-roasted for three days, goes through an open-tank fermentation process and is then distilled in small handmade copper pot stills. In a nice nod toward sustainability, remnant agave fibers from production are turned into a natural compost that is used as an organic fertilizer for the agave fields.
One quibble: For transparency being at the forefront, the reposado does not list how long it ages in oak barrels (it could be anywhere from 2-12 months).
How it tastes: The blanco is bright and grassy on the nose with a healthy dose of black pepper and a tiny hint of mint on the palate. It’s sweet, smooth and even a bit creamy. (A lot of online reviewers have picked up citrus notes — I did not, but hey, we’re all different.) Seems perfect for any refreshing tequila cocktail where you don’t need to be overwhelmed by the agave … say, perhaps, a tequila and soda.
For the most part, I find reposados stuck between two worlds. No different here, as the small time in a barrel adds some nice oaky notes to the nose but it also dampens the tequila’s best attribute — those bright aromas — and leaves the liquid with a slightly wan, brownish color. However, the creamy mouthfeel and the caramel notes mix nicely when you’re drinking it. I’d sip this for now … but then hope that a more engaging añejo from the brand is on the way.
Interesting fact: Back in February, Johnson surprised a few people doing a blind taste. Thankfully for them, they had said nice things before the reveal.
Where you can get it: Teremana retails for $30-$33 — for local liquor stores that have it, go here, and you can see if Drizly has it in your area by clicking here.
UPDATE 8/10: The article originally suggested that Teremana was the only tequila made at this distillery, but it appears that others currently are or have previously been produced there.
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