Known for its innovative and award-winning spirits, Mexican-based Casa Lumbre just debuted its limited-edition expression of Contraluz Cristalino Mezcal. As the first Cristalino Mezcal, Contraluz continues to lead the category in innovation and luxury by now bringing its liquid to Japanese Sakura casks.
Contraluz 11:11’s contemporary maturation process produces an exceptional liquid that strikes a unique balance between the light smoke of the cooked agave and the inviting indulgence from the Japanese cherry wood (Sakura), according to a news release. Made from 100% Maguey Espadín, Contraluz 11:11 is a Reposado that has been matured for 11 months and 11 days in American oak bourbon barrels and Sakura casks.
Finding Inspiration From Around the World
Like Contraluz Cristalino Mezcal, Contraluz 11:11 is masterfully crafted to refine the smokey notes brought on by the cooked agave, making way for the cherry wood’s decadent floral notes. The result is an inviting taste of cooked agave, citrus, vanilla, and floral cherry blossoms, with hints of wood, light smoke, and fruity notes in the aftertaste, according to the spirits company.
“Contraluz 11:11 is the latest example of how we believe craft, quality, and innovation can all exist for a new expanded generation of mezcal drinkers. We push ourselves to experiment with different tastes, textures, and inspiration from around the world,” said Ivan Saldaña, Casa Lumbre Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer, in the release.
Capturing a Finite Moment in Time
Its name – Contraluz 11:11 – is an invitation to appreciate the best moments in life. Inspired by the popular 11:11 timestamp, its name captures a finite moment in time and encourages mezcal drinkers to raise a glass to the here and now. This philosophy is one that is deeply personal to partner and investor, global superstar Juan Luis Londoño Arias (Maluma). The importance of this number and what it stands for is what helped inspire the 11-month, 11-day maturation process and ultimately is the reason behind the name of the new expression, according to the spirits company.
“For me, 11:11 is a reminder to be present and live in the moment. Contraluz was built on celebrating all of life’s special moments, so I am thrilled to be a part of this exciting endeavor where we continue to raise the bar for special occasions and toast to ‘A Life in Contraluz’”, said Juan Luis Londoño Arias (Maluma) in the release.
In addition to the rich and distinctive taste, the eye-catching dark crystal bottle is a nod to the original Contraluz Cristalino Mezcal design, showcasing a textured look that pays homage to mezcal’s raw material, the agave heart or piña.
This new limited-edition expression of Contraluz will only have 270 bottles available in the U.S. in 2023 – making it the perfect holiday gift for luxury agave spirits drinkers. These limited quantities will be available across select on and off-premise accounts in the U.S. in Florida, California, New York, and Texas, and nationally online in select states on the brand’s website.
