Photo Credit: Chico’s Tequila Bar
O’RTE, the new, single-estate, artisanal tequila that’s quickly captivating US tequila enthusiasts, secured first place in an April tasting competition at Chico’s Tequila Bar in Denville, NJ. O’RTE’s Reposado was the definitive winner in the tasting among 92 consumers, featuring 102 tequilas ranging in price from $34.00 to $189.00.
“O’RTE Reposado stood head and shoulders above the rest of the tequilas in our recent tasting competition, establishing itself as the clear winner well before the conclusion of the event,” said Francisco Molina, the owner of Chico’s Tequila Bar. “This accomplishment is extremely impressive considering Chico’s is where Denville residents and people from all over Morris County visit when they want to experience the widest variety of the very best artisanal tequilas that Mexico has to offer. To be such a clear-cut winner in a tasting among so many incredible tequilas is beyond impressive, especially for a new brand like O’RTE.”
Born from the passion of industry veteran Julious Grant, founder of luxury spirits producer The Brand House Group, and produced in Jalisco, Mexico, O’RTE is the first-of-its-kind, single-estate artisanal tequila that meticulously identifies and harvests agaves from a single estate each year based on strict climate, soil and topography standards. This new approach delivers a constantly evolving, additive-free tequila that highlights the agaves’ characteristics, aromas and complex flavors inherent to each estate’s unique terroir, in contrast to the indiscriminate production of many tequilas using agaves sourced from multiple properties. Grant’s commitment to single-estate sourcing results in a super-premium, perfectly-balanced tequila with a greater body and nuanced flavor profile.
“O’RTE is a celebration of my Mexican heritage and passion for artisanal tequilas,” Grant commented. “For O’RTE to be honored as the top tequila in a tasting of over 100 artisanal brands at an establishment like Chico’s, known for its vast selection of exceptional tequilas, is beyond exciting. O’RTE is now working its way into markets across the US and I can’t wait for consumers everywhere to experience why enthusiasts at Chico’s selected O’RTE as their favorite tequila.”
Of the 2021 vintages, O’RTE Blanco offers bright, aromatic notes with a sweet, fruity roundness, while O’RTE Reposado impresses with aromas of floral honey, pepper, mint, and vanilla, complemented by oak influences, vanilla, and butterscotch notes. The forthcoming O’RTE Añejo promises tropical aromas with hints of freshly cooked agave and vanilla, complemented by a smooth flavor featuring notes of toasted pineapple, oak, vanilla and caramel.
Founded in 2019 by wine and spirits industry veteran Julious Grant, who for the past 30 years has held senior leadership roles in sales and marketing at some of the world’s most successful wine and spirits companies, The Brand House Group, through Grant’s leadership as Chairman, creates and markets innovative spirits brands across a variety of categories. The Brand House Group’s current portfolio includes the recently-debuted OMAGE, a California artisanal brandy crafted in the style of a French cognac. In addition, The Brand House Group is parent to Iconic Spirits, a line of high-quality Japanese spirits which currently includes: TEITESSA, a super-premium Japanese single-grain whisky; AWAYUKI Gin, infused with rare pink and white strawberries grown in Japan’s Nara Prefecture; Shunka Shuto, a variety of super-premium blended Japanese whiskies evoking the four seasons; and Bikoku, a pure malt made from the underground waters of Mount Fuji.
Prior to launching The Brand House Group, Grant served as Chief Commercial Officer for US Beam Suntory; President/CEO of Bacardi/Brown-Forman House for the UK and Ireland; Senior Vice President/National Sales Director of Bacardi U.S.A; Vice President at Moët Hennessy USA; and Marketing Director at both Schieffelin & Somerset and Diageo North America before starting his career at Seagram.
For further information on O’RTE single-estate tequila, please visit www.ortetequila.com.
