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www.cheersonline.com 17 March/April 2017 • www.cheersonline.com www.cheersonline.com www.cheersonline.com Tardie has added educational tequila samplers to the list at his whiskey-centric concept, The Flatiron Room. And the recently opened Fine & Rare restaurant offers an Agave Explorer tasting option in addition to tequila fl ights. SUCCULENT GROWTH "Tequila had a great year," says David Ozgo, senior vice president for Economic and Strategic Analysis for the Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. (DISCUS). The blue agave spirit was the second-fastest growing category after Irish whiskey in 2016. Tequila volume grew 7.1% to 15.9 million cases; supplier revenue was up 7.5% to $2.5 billion. Most of that growth came from top-shelf labels: The high- end premium segment's revenue grew 14.9% and superpremium rose 7.2%. For example, that high-end includes El Jimador, Cazadores and Sauza Hornitos, according to DISCUS, while superpremium brands encompass Patron, Herradura, Don Julio, Sauza Tres Generaciones and Avion—among others. "We've seen a boom in brands available, both established products and newly conceived brands," notes Isaiah Estell, bar director/sommelier at Cavan Restaurant & Bar in New Orleans. Cavan, which explores regional cuisines along the Eastern Seaboard and the Gulf of Mexico, carries 10 tequilas and 10 mezcals; prices range from $7 to $25 for a 2-oz. pour. Estell and his guests are currently excited about the ArteNOM series of tequilas and the Vago mezcal range, and are discovering new entrants all the time. "Since we opened a year ago, the tequila selection has grown a bit, but the mezcal list has doubled," says Estell. March/April 2017 • www.cheersonline.com March/April 2017 • 17 www.cheersonline.com March/April 2017 • superpremium brands encompass Patron, Herradura, Don superpremium brands encompass Patron, Herradura, Don superpremium brands encompass Patron, Herradura, Don superpremium brands encompass Patron, Herradura, Don superpremium brands encompass Patron, Herradura, Don Julio, Sauza Tres Generaciones and Avion—among others. Julio, Sauza Tres Generaciones and Avion—among others. Julio, Sauza Tres Generaciones and Avion—among others. Julio, Sauza Tres Generaciones and Avion—among others. Julio, Sauza Tres Generaciones and Avion—among others. "We've seen a boom in brands available, both established "We've seen a boom in brands available, both established "We've seen a boom in brands available, both established "We've seen a boom in brands available, both established products and newly conceived brands," notes Isaiah Estell, products and newly conceived brands," notes Isaiah Estell, bar director/sommelier at Cavan Restaurant & Bar in New Orleans. Cavan, which explores regional cuisines along the Orleans. Cavan, which explores regional cuisines along the and 10 mezcals; prices range from $7 to $25 for a 2-oz. pour. and 10 mezcals; prices range from $7 to $25 for a 2-oz. pour. and 10 mezcals; prices range from $7 to $25 for a 2-oz. pour. and 10 mezcals; prices range from $7 to $25 for a 2-oz. pour. and 10 mezcals; prices range from $7 to $25 for a 2-oz. pour. and 10 mezcals; prices range from $7 to $25 for a 2-oz. pour. Estell and his guests are currently excited about the Estell and his guests are currently excited about the Estell and his guests are currently excited about the Estell and his guests are currently excited about the Estell and his guests are currently excited about the Estell and his guests are currently excited about the ArteNOM series of tequilas and the Vago mezcal range, and ArteNOM series of tequilas and the Vago mezcal range, and ArteNOM series of tequilas and the Vago mezcal range, and ArteNOM series of tequilas and the Vago mezcal range, and ArteNOM series of tequilas and the Vago mezcal range, and are discovering new entrants all the time. "Since we opened a are discovering new entrants all the time. "Since we opened a year ago, the tequila selection has grown a bit, but the mezcal year ago, the tequila selection has grown a bit, but the mezcal list has doubled," says Estell. list has doubled," says Estell. From the top, tequila is the focus at The Matador in Seattle; each of the restaurants stock 120 to 150 different tequilas, based on availability and unit demographics. The 14-unit, upscale casual-dining concept offers at least fi ve fl ight variations that demonstrate the differences between the te- quila expressions—blancos, reposados, anejos and extra anejos. The Matador 's core menu offers seven Margaritas, priced from $8 to $10.50. All are made with 100% blue agave tequila and fresh juices. The half-dozen tequila cocktails offered at Raven & Rose in Portland, OR, include the El Diablo Falsetto, shown left, made with Casa Noble reposado single-barrel tequila, lime, cassis and ginger, and Caroline's Fancy, above, made with San Matias single barrel tequila, dry Curaçao, demerara, cardamom bitters and orange peel.