AQARÁ Agave of the Andes receives recognition as “Best of its Class” and Double Gold Medal in international competition.
Peru continues to reap great recognition, positioning our varied gastronomy for more than a decade and in recent years our spirits, which are leaving the name of the country strong.
Competing with the best brands and distilleries in the world, Aqará, the agave distillate from the Andes, has just won a double gold medal in its Reposado version and was chosen ‘The Best of the Best’ (Best of Class) in the category ‘Other Agave Spirits’, at this year’s New York World Wine and Spirits Contest (NYWSCOMP 2021).
15 international recognitions
With the medals obtained in New York, AQARÁ already has 15 international recognitions: Silver (New York Gold 2019, San Francisco Silver 2020, Gold as a Promise Brand 2020 Tequila Aficionado, San Francisco Gold 2020, New York Silver 2021), Reposado (San Francisco Gold Francisco 2020, Gold Brand Promise 2020 Tequila Aficionado, Silver San Francisco 2021, Double Gold New York 2021), Rosa Huandoy (Gold San Francisco 2021, Silver New York 2021), Agreste (Silver San Francisco 2021, Silver New York 2021) and Sortilegio (Bronze San Francisco 2021 and Bronze New York 2021). A recent history well filled with international awards.
Meaning of “Aqará”
“Aqará bears in its name the town of Caraz called Qaaray which in Quechua means ‘place of agaves’. It is an artisanal drink made from the pineapples of the agave, which grows in the Cordilleras Negra and Blanca of the Callejón de Huaylas that after years of research and development was born 30 months years ago. This 100% Peruvian artisan premium distillate that today can be found in important restaurants and bars in Lima has been acclaimed by the most experienced judges in distillates in the world “, presents Marco Suárez, Founder of Aqará.
Peru’s win from New York
The New York World Wine and Spirits Contest this year celebrated its tenth annual edition and was held from August 30 to September 3, 2021 under the blind tasting methodology, while in the San Francisco 2021 Spirits Contest, competed with 4,200 other spirits from around the world.
“The profile of Aqará stands out for its aromas of Andean herbs and shrubs, and recreates flavors that evoke fruits ripened on the same plant, that is, it is not tequila, it is not mezcal, having the ‘terroir’ of Peru, from Callejón de Huaylas”, highlights Suárez.
He shares this great national pride by preparing at home one of these three incredible recipes with Aqará, present in the main supermarkets and liquor stores in the country as well as renowned restaurants such as Maido, Central, and Mayta.
Recipes to try from home
- ANDEAN PICAFLOR
Ingredients
• 2 oz of Silver AQARÁ
• 1 splash of lemon juice
• 1 dash of gum syrup
• 3 ice cubes
• Complete with premium tonic water
• Optional 1 splash of pink grapefruit juice
• Decorate with sun crusta and grapefruit crescent
Preparation
Fill a ‘long drink’ glass with cubed ice and pour all the ingredients. Mix from top to bottom.
- MULITA SERRANA
Ingredients
• 2 oz of Silver AQARÁ
• 1/4 oz lemon juice
• Complete with premium ginger beer
• 5 to 6 ice cubes
Preparation
Fill a ‘long drink’ glass with cubed ice and pour all the ingredients. Mix from top to bottom.
- SANGRITA
Ingredients
• 1 britvic tomato juice
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 splash of orange juice
• 1 splash of lemon juice
• Tabasco and English salt
• AQARÁ Silver
Preparation
Marinate the onion in the lemon juice for 15 minutes. Mix everything and refrigerate. Serve in shots and accompany with a shot of Silver AQARÁ
All photos provided from Paola Rey Suarez