El Cristiano tequila is made by a brand that was co-founded by Karan Khanna and his brother Nitin. These two individuals, both serial entrepreneurs, were captivated by the enchanting allure of Mexico during their first visit to the country in the 90's. It was during this trip that their obsession with the culinary traditions and flavors of Mexico began to take shape, leading them to establish El Cristiano.
The Khanna brothers have a deep appreciation for the art of tequila-making and sought to create a brand that would embody the essence and craftsmanship of this beloved Mexican spirit. They were determined to produce a tequila that would stand out from the rest, one that would showcase the unique characteristics of the agave plant and the terroir of Mexico.
To bring their vision to life, Karan and Nitin carefully selected a team of expert distillers and master blenders who share their passion for tequila. These skilled individuals possess a wealth of knowledge and experience in the art of tequila production, ensuring that El Cristiano maintains the highest standards of quality and authenticity.
One of the key factors that sets El Cristiano apart is their dedication to using only the finest ingredients. They source their agave from select regions in Mexico, where the plant thrives and develops its distinct flavors. The agave is hand-harvested by skilled jimadores, who have honed their craft over generations, ensuring that only the best piñas (agave hearts) are used in the production process.
Once the agave is harvested, it undergoes a meticulous process of cooking, fermentation, and distillation. El Cristiano employs traditional methods combined with modern techniques to extract the rich flavors and aromas from the agave. The piñas are slow-cooked in traditional brick ovens, allowing the sugars to caramelize and develop complex flavors. The cooked agave is then crushed to extract the sweet juice, which is fermented using carefully selected yeast strains.
After fermentation, the liquid goes through a double distillation process, which helps to refine and purify the tequila. El Cristiano takes great care to ensure that each batch of tequila is distilled to perfection, resulting in a spirit that is smooth and full-bodied.
The final step in the production of El Cristiano tequila is the aging process. They offer a range of tequilas, each with its own unique aging profile. Some expressions are aged in American oak barrels, while others are aged in French oak or a combination of both. This careful selection of barrels adds layers of complexity and imparts subtle nuances to the tequila, further enhancing its character.
El Cristiano tequila is made by a brand co-founded by Karan Khanna and Nitin, who were inspired by Mexico's enchanting allure. Their obsession with the culinary traditions and flavors of Mexico led them to create a tequila that embodies the essence and craftsmanship of this beloved spirit. With a team of expert distillers and master blenders, El Cristiano uses only the finest ingredients and traditional methods combined with modern techniques to produce tequilas of exceptional quality. The result is a range of tequilas that showcase the unique characteristics of the agave plant and the terroir of Mexico.