'Mexican spirit with Scottish heart': Trio launch new coffee tequila brand

A SCOTTISH trio is set to launch Scotland’s first ever coffee tequila brand, which they say is a “Mexican spirit with a Scottish heart”.

Tuesday saw the launch of Jalisgow, a premium coffee-infused tequila which has already secured several listings at bars across Glasgow.

The liquor – distilled in small batches in Hacienda de Reyes in the town of Tequila in Mexico – can be used for both shots and cocktails.

The name Jalisgow is a nod to both Scotland and Mexico, combining Glasgow with the Jalisco region where the tequila is produced, the firm said.

‘We’re just three good friends’

Friends Adam Alzadjally, Kieran Woods, and Stewart Weir first came up with the idea three years ago, after spotting a gap in the spirits market.

The brand has already secured listings with a number of Glasgow bars including The Finnieston, Lebowskis, Kong, Wunderbar, The West Side Tavern, Gandolfi, Max’s Bar, and The Locale.

Commenting on the launch, Alzadjally said: "We are all huge fans of both coffee and tequila. My background is in the coffee trade so I know the importance of making sure the blend works with such a bold flavour.

Adam Alzadjally (left) and Stewart Weir sample Jalisgow at their Glasgow base (Image: Martin Shields) “We tested the tequila extensively before agreeing on the final product, from everything between 28-36% and settled on 30% which allowed us to create that lovely smooth taste of tequila, without compromising on the rich Colombian coffee flavour, we recommend enjoying it chilled.

“Essentially we are just three good friends who spotted a gap in the market after Cafe Patron was pulled from bars and venues.

“We have stuck with the production and development process and have now created something we think is quite special, utilising two of our favourite things coffee and tequila.”

‘Mexican spirit with a Scottish heart’

Weir added: “When we first visited Jalisco, the distillery actually had doors that had been imported from the ship building industry on the Clyde and are now being used as commercial oven doors in Mexico to cook our agave!

“We took that as a bit of a nod from the universe that this was the place for our tequila to be produced.

The brand has already scored a number of listings at bars across Glasgow (Image: Martin Shields) “The brand name is one we considered for a while and is a blend of Jalisco and Glasgow which led us to Jalisgow. The name is inspired by the Jalisco region in Mexico which produces over 98% of tequila in the world.

“We have given the name a Glaswegian twist to reinforce its local credentials, Mexican spirit with a Scottish heart.

“We are now just focused on getting the tequila out there for people to enjoy and we are delighted with the response from so many of the Glasgow bars and venues who have supported us by stocking Jaslisgow already.”

The recommended retail price for Jalisgow is £38. More information can be found here.