Jose Cuervo has named Tessa Kerslake from Our Place in New Plymouth as New Zealand’s national winner in the Don of Tequila competition. Tessa will now join 18 other bartenders from across the world in the grand final event at La Rojena, Mexico. In the first challenge of its kind, Tessa will compete for the chance to be named the next Don of Tequila and win the prize of a lifetime. As well as becoming a Don of Tequila, the prize for the winning bartender is a trip to Mexico, where they will get to harvest and bottle their own crop of aqave on the Jose Cuervo Tequila estate.
Jose Cuervo’s Dons are the real heroes of tequila – people, past and present, who epitomise the expert craft, passion and bravery required to make the world’s most popular tequila. Their unwavering belief in quality and the spirit of tequila – true bonds, real friendship and good times – is what keeps Jose Cuervo’s 250 years of heritage fresh and relevant. The bartender who is named the next Don will need to embody all of these qualities for a chance to follow in the footsteps of some of the world’s greatest legends of tequila.
Tessa made it to the final with her tequila serve ‘Vito’ – a citrus-based cocktail made with Jose Cuervo Silver. Commenting on Tessa’s win, Brand Manager of Jose Cuervo Hannah Webb said, “We saw some fantastic bartenders compete in this competition, but Tessa showed the true grit, personality and creativity that encompasses what it means to be a don. Becoming a Don of Tequila is the ultimate accolade that must go to the best so it will be exciting to see how Tessa performs during what will be a tough national final.”
The competition is one aspect of a long-term education platform, the heart of which is the Dons website, the definitive resource for all things Jose Cuervo. The site brings to life the stories of the current Dons of Tequila and feature a selection of drinks recipes fit for a Don, crafted and demonstrated by head barmen from La Rojeña.
Family owned for ten generations, Jose Cuervo is made using 250 years of cultivating, harvesting, blending and tasting expertise. Jose Cuervo Gold and Silver are distilled with rigorous standards, to create the taste and character fit for a Don.
