by Sue Giustino
This season, the Montaukila tequila brand opened a tasting room in town. The site, a new venture for founder Simon Cascante and his team, is located next to Muse Restaurant at 43 S. Euclid Street. In addition to their tequila products, they offer exclusive merchandise, tequila tasting, and fresh homemade margarita mixes.
The beautiful open room with high ceilings and large windows creates a light, welcoming space for visitors. Adding to the charm, there is a front patio with tables and a lovely back garden with seating and a bar. Vincenzo, the manager, told us about plans to use these spaces for mixology classes, live music events, and oyster shucking. They also offer the room to local artists, who are encouraged to enquire about showcasing their art. When we were there, we enjoyed the stunning photographs of Paul Brooke Jr.
Montaukila tequila is locally owned, additive-free, small-batch, sustainable, gluten-free, 100% blue agave, produced in Jalisco, Mexico, the historic heart of tequila production. Cascante says the brand reflects both the craftsmanship of Jalisco, Mexico, and the spirit of Montauk, combining traditional tequila-making with the laid-back character of the East End.
Montaukila Tequila offers a smooth, fragrant, crystal-clear Blanco, a soft amber Reposado- aged 6 months in Jack Daniel Whiskey Barrels, and a golden-brown Añejo – aged 14 months in Cask Oak Barrels. Aging tequila in barrels brings warmth and depth to the bright agave base. Reposado offers subtle notes of toasted oak, vanilla, and light caramel, with a smooth, clean finish; this is my favorite for sipping. The Añejo is a rich, full-bodied tequila with layers of caramel, vanilla, and toasted oak, delivering a smooth yet robust character with each sip. During our visit, we sampled each expression in the lineup, from the crisp Blanco to the oak-aged Añejo.
In addition to the three styles of tequila, there’s Classic and Heat Wave Tequila Soda in cans. The canned tequila sodas are made with 100% Blue Weber agave tequila and natural citrus flavors, offering an easy option for the beach or a day on the water.
Another option is the three handcrafted Margarita Mixes, which are made fresh and available exclusively at the Montaukila Tasting Room. They are crafted with real ingredients and designed to pair perfectly with Montaukila Tequila. Although seasonal, the present selection includes the Classic Margarita with lime, agave, and orange juice; the Spicy Dragon with lime, agave, dragon fruit, and jalapeno; or the Paloma with lime, grapefruit, and a hint of rosemary. They are all delicious- I look forward to tasting new flavors as the seasons change.
The tasting room is open to visitors for tastings, merchandise, and fresh margarita mixes. More information is available at www.montaukila.com.