The spirit of champions is undeniable. It can come in many forms — sometimes unassuming yet powerful, or, in other instances, loud and commanding. No matter what end of the spectrum it lies on, this intangible quality is ultimately defined by something bigger than us all: the pursuit of greatness. Though difficult to encapsulate, Clase Azul bottled up that essence. Introducing the Clase Azul Tequila Limited Edition Spirit of Champions expression.
Inspired by the international tournament invigorating fans all around the globe, the new release nods to a national historic moment — and the collective wonder that spurs from uniting over a shared love for sport. Instead of paying tribute to the competition itself, Clase Azul wanted to honor the spectators who make every game worth watching. “Moments like these transcend sport; they bring cultures together to create lasting memories,” Arturo Lomelí, Clase Azul founder and CEO, added. “This limited edition is a tribute to the unique magic that emerges when different nations pursue the same trophy and, for ninety minutes, remind us that shared passion connects us across borders.”
Sometimes it’s not even the sweat-inducing, speedy moments that make a game special, but the anticipation. Laying out your color-coordinated outfit the night before a game day. The pre-game jitters buzzing through players’ minds as they overhear fans chanting their names from the stands. The dormant excitement held in the instant before action. Packaging this concept of poised momentum into a polished keepsake object, Clase Azul interpreted these themes into a special edition decanter that marries contemporary artistry with storied Mexican heritage.
The decanter is crafted from ceramic and finished in a shiny ivory tone with subtle golden flourishes. These metallic accents give the object a sense of movement — alluding to the fast-paced movements made on the soccer field — while a golden cap crowns the bottle. The Clase Azul emblem graces the center of the decanter, crafted with malachite inlays sourced in Mexico and accented in classic green and gold coloring.
Though the bottle stands in as a marker of an impactful athletic moment, it’s what’s inside that really counts. This novel expression is a joven tequila created by Master Distiller Vidriana Tinoco — a balanced offering that effortlessly blends tradition and innovation. The blend is composed primarily of a 28-month-aged tequila as well as an unaged tequila created exclusively for the release. Aged in French fine-grain oak vats, the result is a deep, golden-hued spirit accented by notes of toasted agave, coconut, fresh vanilla, almond, white pepper, and beeswax.
Bringing the blend beyond the bottle, Clase Azul arrived in NYC with some of its master artisans from Guadalajara, offering a rare glimpse into the craftsmanship behind the brand. Typically based at the brand's hacienda in Jalisco, they transformed Clase Azul's expansive Dumbo loft into a live atelier for the special occasion.
As the skilled makers adorned exclusive bottles with flags from different countries, friends and family of the brand had the opportunity to try the new blend — which was accented by rich, sweet notes and finished smoothly on the palate. In between tastings as well as custom tequila plata and mezcal cocktails, passed bites infused with the flavors of Mexico floated around the room. Opening the doors of the loft to locals just a few days after the unveiling, the general public had a chance to immerse themselves in the sensory customization experience by registering to receive their own exclusive ceramic decanters as well.
The Spirit of Champions release is limited to 10,000 decanters, priced at $1,700 USD. You can get your hands on the special expression at Casa de los Leones, Clase Azul’s new home in the heart of Polanco, Mexico City, and in select locations worldwide — or you can inquire for more information online at claseazul.com.
