Established in 1998 by a pair of adventurous college friends, Milagro Tequila embodies the dynamic, colorful, and artistic spirit of Mexico City. With the help of Pedro Juarez, one of Mexico’s most esteemed Master Distillers, these visionaries created a contemporary tequila that embraces tradition, beginning with the agave.
The Master Distiller: Pedro Juarez
Boasting a 35-year career as a true expert in tequila production, Pedro Juarez is one of Mexico’s most renowned Master Distillers. Having previously worked under the constraints of cost efficiencies at large multinational tequila companies, Pedro was finally able to unleash his artistry and create his magnum opus. This 100% blue tequila epitomizes the freshest agave taste and exceptional smoothness.
The Finest Ingredients
The key to creating a superb tequila lies in selecting the highest-quality ingredients. The blue agave used in Milagro is cultivated in the Jalisco highlands (Altos de Jalisco), the source of the world’s sweetest and finest blue agave. The highlands feature red, mineral-rich soil, abundant sunshine, and crisp mountain nights, allowing the agave plants to grow large and rich in sweet sugars. Milagro’s agave is traditionally harvested by jimadors at the height of ripeness, ensuring an enhanced flavor of terroir (taste and sense of place).
The Milagro Production Process
The production process at Milagro is specifically designed to emphasize the bright, fresh flavor of the agave. By incorporating century-old methods of cooking agave, Milagro slow-roasts a portion of the agave piñas for an average of 36 hours using traditional brick ovens. This process draws out the agave’s naturally vibrant freshness and flavors.
Once the agave piñas are roasted, they are shredded and pressed to extract the sweet agave juice. This juice is then fermented into alcohol in stainless steel tanks for 72 hours—longer than most tequilas—allowing for further development of flavors and aromas. Combining science and art, the on-site team carefully monitors the fermentation process.
Innovative Distillation Techniques
Unlike most tequila companies that use only one still type, Milagro employs a double distillation process using two different types of stills: pot and column. The first distillation takes place in a traditional pot still, capturing the fresh, lively flavors of the agave plant. However, the liquid at this stage still has rough edges, contributing to the harshness commonly associated with some tequilas.
During the second distillation, a column still is used to “polish” the liquid by isolating the finest liquid cut. This process showcases the flavors and results in Milagro’s remarkable smoothness.
A Legacy of Award-Winning Taste
Milagro Tequila has consistently garnered accolades from experts and enthusiasts alike since its inception. Its various expressions have received numerous awards at prestigious international spirits competitions, further solidifying Milagro’s reputation for crafting exceptional tequilas that celebrate the vibrant spirit of Mexico.