In recent years, tequila has arguably become the go-to spirit for many. Gone are the days of slamming back shots from a bottle of Sierra – the one topped with that tiny red cowboy hat. Today, tequila is celebrated globally as a refined, versatile, and flavourful spirit, with the margarita now reigning as the world’s most popular cocktail. At the forefront of the alcohol’s growing popularity is Patrón. Founded in 1989 in the Jalisco highlands, the brand set out with a clear mission: to create the best premium tequila on the market.

Since then, Patrón has played a pivotal role in reshaping tequila’s image through a mixture of tradition and innovation, fully celebrating tequila’s ancient roots: the drink’s cultural heritage is inextricably intertwined with Mexican culture, with agave cultivation and fermentation dating as far back as 1000 B.C. to 200 A.D.

Honouring tradition, Patrón crafts its tequila exclusively from 100 percent Weber Blue Agave at its premium distillery in Hacienda Patrón. Nestled in the rolling highlands of Atotonilco El Alto, Jalisco – just a few hours from Guadalajara – the distillery produces an impressive 3.2 million cases annually.

Adopting a time-honoured process, the agave is hand-harvested, slowly cooked, and then crushed using both a traditional two-ton volcanic stone tahona and a roller mill. The extracted juice is then fermented, distilled, and aged in large-scale handcrafted oak barrels to produce the brand’s signature flavours, be it a Reposado or Añejo. Ensuring the process is kept entirely on site, each bottle is then individually labelled, numbered and inspected by hand.

The latest blend to join Patrón’s growing repertoire is El Alto, the brand’s most prestigious iteration of tequila to date. Built from a blend of perfectly aged Extra Añejo, Añejo, and Reposado tequilas, El Alto is defined by subtle notes of figs, honey, caramel, dried fruit, and vanilla. The tequila has been four years in the making, with legendary Master Distiller David Rodriguez and his team of artisans holding hundreds of tastings to ensure it met the highest standards. Speaking on El Alto, Rodriguez told us, “The tequilas that harmoniously come together in Patrón El Alto are a result of selecting the finest 100 percent Weber Blue Agave in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico, a territory known for producing sweet agaves, which gives El Alto its incredibly smooth and sweet taste. We took four years to focus on only the best of the best and perfect the bold, sweet flavours of this expression, the right way: naturally.”