Agave Sunrise

As Desmondjis,a range of agave spirits,hits Mumbai this month,it is being cautious to distinguish itself from the Mexican tequila.

The simplest word that categorises Desmondji Premium Spirits and Cocktails to a layman is ‘tequila’. Made from agave — the same plant from which tequila is made — the brand launched in Goa early last year and in Daman in April this year. But Desmondji’s agave spirits and cocktail mixes,though made from the same plant,and in much the same process as tequila,is not tequila at all. “Mexico has a Geographical Indication (GI) on tequila — much like champagne that is native to the French wine region of the same name — which gives them dibs on the name,” explains Desmond Nazareth,founder of the start-up liquor brand that produces the Desmondji products.

With the products slated to hit Mumbai’s wine shops by the end of this month,Nazareth is careful about explaining the difference at every possible opportunity. “I don’t want this to blow up into something it isn’t,” says the 55-year-old,revealing that his agave spirits recently came under the scanner of the Mexican authorities,who wanted to ensure that their GI for the spirit remains intact.

Even as Nazareth avoids describing the product as tequila,comparisons between the two spirits are inevitable. “The conditions in the Deccan are quite suitable to growing agave,” he says,explaining how the Indian variety grows bigger and yields more juice per stem. “The distilled agave has a much more pleasant taste but that is something for consumers to note,” he concludes.