El Bandido Yankee Tequila Company has announced the launch of its first two expressions, a Tequila Blanco and a Tequila Reposado. The rollout begins in Illinois, with distribution partner Breakthru Beverage Group, along with Texas and Michigan launches with Republic National Distributing Company. El Bandido Yankee Tequila Company will continue nationwide distribution throughout the remainder of 2021.
Founded by James Robert Morris and Chris Chelios, El Bandido Yankee Tequila crafts ultra premium tequila in the Highlands of Jalisco, using traditional methods – hand-harvested agave, stone ovens, and copper stills. Theblue weber agave is slow-roasted for 40 hours in stone ovens and twice distilled in copper pots. For further refinement, the tequila is oxygenated to producethe brand’s signature finish.
Handcrafted from start to finish under the direction of Master Distiller Karina Rojo at El Viejito Distillery in Atotonilco El Alto, Jalisco, El Bandido Yankee tequila is made from 100% blue weber agave. It is all-natural and confirmed additive-free as established by Tequila Matchmaker’s Confirmed Additive-Free program.
The result is a criminally smooth profile that fully showcases the region’s blue weber agave with zero masking and zero additives. El Bandido Yankee’s Blanco expression features a refined crisp finish with citrus, pepper and vanilla notes and a buttery profile. To create the Reposado expression, the tequila is aged in stripped and recharred American Oak bourbon barrels. The added step of recharring yields a warm agave presence with delicious hints of toasted oak, herbal and vanilla notes.
“We knew we had the infrastructure to create a fantastic tasting, smooth tequila at an accessible price point,” said Morris. “We didn’t cut corners and are fully transparent about how and where it’s crafted. Sustainable practices were also a top priority to us, and our tequila is only made using fully mature agave. We partnered with El Viejito because of their dedication to process, people and the land.”
“El Bandido’s essence is a passion to live boldly and share generously. It’s this ethos that drives us personally and professionally,” said Chelios. “El Bandido is about jumping right in to create memorable moments with family and friends with a delicious tasting drink that’s thoughtfully made.”
The company is dedicated to building long-term, impactful relationships that honor the people and land of the Jalisco region. El Bandido Yankee has committed a portion of net proceeds from the sale of its tequila, as well as 100% of net proceeds from the sale of its merchandise to those efforts. The company is collaborating with S.A.C.R.E.D, a not-for-profit focused on improving the lives of people in rural Mexican communities where agave spirits are made, to identify and support vital community needs.
The SRP for each 750 ml bottle is $39.99 for Blanco and $44.99 for Reposado. El Bandido Yankee launches with support from established spirits importer PKGD Group, which has secured national reach with leading distributors.
For more information, head over to the brand’s official website.