Diamante Spirits to launch new product

27/09/05 Blavod Extreme Spirits' new joint venture, Diamante Spirits, announced that it will produce and market a new tequila, El Diamante del Cielo (Diamond in the Sky) beginning in the United States in 2006. El Diamante del Cielo will further solidify BES' growth in the international boutique drink market where it already produces and markets Blavod Black Vodka and Players Extreme vodkas and rums. BES also has a growing wine division, now distributing a varied list of niche Italian wines in the United States.

BES plans to test El Diamante del Cielo in three major U.S. markets in October, 2005.

Blavod will produce three different qualities of El Diamante del Cielo - Blanco, Reposado and Anejo. The handcrafted tequilas feature the finest, 100% pure Blue Waeber Agave grown exclusively in the optimal conditions found in the Jalisco region of Mexico. Respectful of the heritage of tequila making, the agave is harvested by hand by authentic Jimadors, a tradition passed from father to son in Mexico for centuries. One hundred years in the making, the tequila is bottled on an estate deep in the heart of Mexico.

El Diamante del Cielo Blanco goes straight from the distillation process to the bottle making it the purest, agave fruit forward tequila in the trio. In the triple-distilling process, the "head and tail" of the tequila are thrown out, reserving only the heart of the batch for bottling. The clear, pure Blanco tequila that remains is great for sipping, but even better for mixing.

By Mexican regulation, Reposado tequilas are aged in large oak barrels for a minimum of 60 days and a maximum of one year. To get more tequila to market, most companies bottle Reposado on the 60th day. El Diamante del Cielo Reposado is bottled on the 364th day of aging, the last day possible, to give it a smoother and fuller-bodied taste than most Reposado tequilas. Although this aging process is more expensive, this Reposado reaps the rewards with a full-bodied vanilla and caramel taste that is supremely sippable and perfect for mixing that special tequila drink.

Anejo tequilas are sealed by the government for a minimum of one year. El Diamante del Cielo Anejo extends the aging process up to four years to make a smooth, buttery, oaky tasting tequila. El Diamante del Cielo Anejo, dripping with flavorful spices and subtle scents of tropical fruits, is the ultimate sipping tequila. Rated at 96, this Anejo is one the highest rated tequilas ever created.

Blavod Extreme Spirits announced earlier this year the formation of Diamante Spirits LLC, a joint venture company. Blavod Extreme Spirits is responsible for the day-to-day management of this 50:50 joint venture.