Food & Wine
A New Libation for the Lone Star
by DARRYL BEESON
Tom Nall knows Texas, and he knows tequila. Nall, who spent many years in Wick Fowler's champion chili business, recently launched the Austin-based Republic Tequila with partner Ken MacKenzie. Made from 100 percent agave by the La Quemada Distillery in the Mexican state of Jalisco, Republic Tequila is an organic tequila with a Texas twist.
Shaped like the Lone Star state, the bottles are easy to spot on the shelf, and they pack a big flavor. "This tequila is more for sipping," boasts Nall. "We make it clean and on the sweet side using old Jack Daniel's barrels. It is smooth, like a single-malt Scotch." The tequila is available in three varieties: plata, reposado, and the ultra-smooth añejo, which is aged at least 20 months in oak barrels. The company also sells a variety of all-natural "spirit blends," which come in flavors like pineapple-basil and jalapeño-lime to spice up your holiday margaritas.
• FYI: www.republictequila.com
Issue: December 2009
