The Day of the Dead celebrated the Clase Azul Style

The day of the Dead-Muertos Day in Spanish – is undeniably one of the greatest vacations in Mexico. It’s a fiesta that starts on November 1st^st this year and goes through the 2^sd and honor the memories of our friends and family who are no longer physically with us but still alive in the spirit.

Almost all Mexicans participate in the annual tradition, but maybe no one does it in more style than Class Azul Spirits, the luxury brand behind an eponymous line of tequilas and mezcals. 2021 is no exception, but it’s different.

The company’s limited edition Dia de Muertos bottles are considered collectors’ items and coveted for their craftsmanship by tequila lovers and teetotalers alike. This year, Clase Azul is launching a multi-year limited edition Día de Muertos series called Nuestros Recuerdos Where “Our memories” which will include one outing per year. The series starts this year and continues until fall 2025.

The following editions will be called Aromas (“Perfumes”), Colors (“colors”), Music (“music”), and Recuerdos (“memories”).

The first installment of the Nuestros Recuerdos the series is named Sabores or “flavors” and is inspired by the culinary traditions of Dia de Muertos– it debuts today, October 18, with 5,000 decanters costing $ 750 each.

Handcrafted like all Clase Azul decanters, this matte black stunner features a gold-plated metal ornament depicting three Calaveras or decorative skulls and a Pan de Muerto, which symbolizes the food that is so important for the holidays. The decanter also illustrates the feasting skulls.

The backstory here is that Mexicans honor the deceased by making exhibitions with their photos and surrounding their images with Calaveras, their favorite personal effects, food and drinks.

Sabores refers to the latter two: the offerings on Dia de Muertos highlight what their loved ones liked the most to eat and drink. In addition, they usually understand Pan de Muerto, a sweet seasonal bun; tamales, a dish made from steamed corn dough; atoles, a sweet drink made from corn flour; seasonal fruits, and of course, Tequila.

Speaking of tequila, Clase Azul’s Dia de Muertos decanter holds an añejo expression that has been aged for over 14 months in American whiskey casks pre-mixed with tequilas aged in American oak barrels. It looks like caramel with hints of orange and is sweet, almost caramelized. Yes, it is delicious.

Created by Clase Azul master distiller, Viridiana Tinoco, this is the brand’s first single estate agave tequila, where agave is harvested from a single field, a rarity in the world of tequila. In this case, the weber blue agave came from a mountain peak in Los Altos de Jalisco called the “Cerro de Viboreo.“It is located among the remains of an ancient civilization,” says Tinoco.

The mountain is part of private property and is not open to visitors, but Tinoco says enthusiasts can visit La Trinidad itself, which features other “magic pueblos”, Like Atotonilco, a pilgrimage town with a beautiful 18th century church and lively restaurants serving delicious and inexpensive local specialties.

She also shares her insights on the best places in Mexico to celebrate. Dia de Muertos.

In San Pedro Tlaquepaque, Jalisco, near Guadalajara, locals celebrate by disguising themselves as elegant skeletons. In Mexico City, there is a large parade in the historic city center, and at Lake Patzcuaro, Michoacan, Mexicans prepare the favorite dishes of their deceased loved ones and sing in the streets. Fishermen also dance and go out into the water at night in boats decorated with candles. “The candles create a magical glow,” explains Tinoco.

Then there is San Miguel de Allende, the center of activity for Dia de Muertos celebrations in the country. The city is full of offerings, and locals dress up and attend classes on how to paint their faces. This year, Clase Azul will co-host a dinner at the Live Aqua Resort to celebrate the holiday.

Tinoco highly recommends a trip to Mexico to witness the festivities directly. But even if you can’t make it, there’s no excuse not to toast this culturally landmark vacation from home – with the Sabores de Clase Azul, of course.