Laelia Tequila, a Tequila from Amatitán in the lowlands of Jalisco, released its first two expressions, a blanco tequila and a reposado. 

Laelia takes inspiration from the Mexican orchid it is named after and the pre-Hispanic, ceremonial flower songs of the Nahua. Derived from fully-mature and sustainably-grown, 100% Blue Weber Agave, Laelia is crafted to celebrate the origin of the spirit and Amatitán, its natural terroir. 

The Laelia portfolio consists of agave-forward tequilas whose notes are nurtured through traditional brick oven slow cooking, then distilled in 100% copper pot stills after a Tahona extraction. This complex and intensive traditional technique is done by using an old, two-ton volcanic stone with the agave fibers rotated, gently extracting the natural juices to bring out the agave’s deep and rich flavor characteristics, guided by Master Distiller Carlos R. Huizar.

Laelia Blanco is aged 14 days in American Oak barrels. The Reposado is aged for 4-6 months in lightly toasted French Oak barrels. 

“Coming from a family of fourth generation agave growers, we’ve spent many years preserving and ensuring that the quality of our agave is uncompromised,” Fernando Pérez Ontiveros, CEO and Founder of Laelia Tequila, said in a news release. “Laelia is a true passion project and the first chance for our family to craft our own tequila, one that brings the land that is central to our family to life, with every bottle.” 

Laelia is committed to crafting tequila with deep respect for the land, guided by sustainable practices and innovative techniques that help preserve agave and the surrounding environment. The agave Laelia sources from Jalisco is overseen by the Casa Natima family and certified by Environmentally Responsible Agave, ensuring it is not harvested from deforested areas. Beyond certification, the distillery implements its own sustainability efforts across its agave cultivation, including water conservation, natural composting methods, and the use of organic fertilizers to help maintain healthy soil and support long-term land stewardship.

To ensure long-term energy efficiency, with a goal towards a net neutral environmental impact, Laelia is distilled using 100% renewable energy, stemming from recycled bagasse, or agave fibers, for natural bio-fuel to produce steam for the boilers, and their state-of-the art filtration system which recycles water into steam, as well as over 721 solar panels in place at Casa Natima. 

The energy from bagasse accounts for 80% of the energy used to produce Laelia, with 100% of all agave fibers getting reused throughout the production process, including as natural compost and sustainable materials like bio-pallets for shipping. Laelia is committed to continue to build on their sustainability efforts and is on track to be able to recycle and reuse all of the mineral-rich spring water in their production, ultimately eliminating the need for additional water use by 2030.

“We aim to lead the path for what a modern tequila rooted in preserving the craft and tradition of the spirit can be by ensuring to highlight agave in its purest form,” Ontiveros said. “To do so, we’re devoted to pushing the boundaries of tequila innovation by continuing to refine Laelia sustainably, using thoughtful innovations to improve the quality and consistency of each bottle and our impact on the land.” 

Laelia Tequila Blanco (40% ABV) is available for retail at $59.99 and Laelia Tequila Reposado (40% ABV) is available at $69.99 in select retailers in California and New York as well as nationally online via laeliatequila.com. 

Read more: Bandero Tequila Expands into Three New Markets

ABOUT LAELIA TEQUILA

Distilled at Casa Natima, and fully owned and operated by a 100% Mexican-led team, Laelia Tequila is founded by Fernando Pérez Ontiveros whose family are fourth generation agave growers. The brand, owned under NOM 1607, offers both Blanco and Reposado expressions. For more information, visit https://laeliatequila.com/.