608080 Mon Mar 30 12:32:39 -0700 2009 4 28 Kosher 0 4551574 New York businessman is launching a kosher tequila in time for Cinco de Mayo. Martin Silver says Agave 99 will be on the market in time for the holiday that celebrates Mexico's defeat of French forces on May 5, 1862. Mr. Silver, president of Long Island-based Star Industries, says he wants to satisfy the craze for high-end tequila with one that observant Jews can drink — "to help the Mexican economy and the Jews." Mr. Silver says a half million cases of the 99-proof kosher tequila are being produced at a Mexican plant using methods certified by a rabbi. It will retail for $41.95 a bottle. The product launch — with Mexican songs sung in Yiddish and Spanish — is set for May 5, but it will also be sold earlier, for Passover. is is kosher under OU http://star-indust.com/index1.html Mon Mar 30 12:32:40 -0700 2009 147978 koshergourmetmart 1 4551685 Correct me if I'm wrong, but I've always understood that the "silver" tequilas are all acceptable for Kashrus purposes. (I understand that the darker aged/colored may be questionable, but there are already brands out there with OU supervision). Not sure why this is news. Mon Mar 30 12:56:25 -0700 2009 4551574 202198 ferret 1 4551776 Competition is great; however, the article (press release ?) makes it sound as though this will be the first kosher-certified tequila sold in the U.S.A. There's been a brand with several varieties - including some expensive high-end - of (O-U or O-K) kosher-certified tequila for several years; in fact, it was certified for Passover and we used it the last year of two. Unfortunately, I forgot the brand... we still have some that we saved from last Passover, but it's still in some unreachable location that we haven't gotten to yet. The Star-K web site (referenced below) states that the following brands of tequila are kosher-certified: Casa Vieja, Don Bernardo G, Sol Dios . While competition is great for a variety of reasons, I don't believe that spokespeople for this new brand should say things like, "one that observant Jews can drink," as if there are no other options already available. To me, the article hinted that this will be the first kosher-certified tequila produced for the United States. Also, the Star-K (no relation to Star Industries, I would think) advises that certain types of tequila don't require a hechsure and are "approved." From the Star-K web site at http://www.star-k.org/cons-appr-liquor.htm : ACCEPTABLE LIQUORS Bourbon Straight and Blended Brandy Bouka Fig , Carmel*, Herzog French*, Tishbi*, Spirit of Solomon Canadian Whisky Crown Royal Cognac Louis Royer*, Dupuy-Vsop*, Herzog* Gin All except Sloe Gin (Sloe Gin requires certification). Certified: Gordon’s Reg & Flavored, London Dry* Irish Whisky Midleton, Powers, Paddy, Jameson, Tullamore Dew Kentucky Whisky Straight and Blended Rum Bacardi (Eight, Gold, Superior), Don Q Reg & Flavored* Rye Straight and Blended Sake All unflavored imported to U.S. Scotch Single Malt & Blended (except when label states “aged in sherry casks,” “sherry finish,” “port finish,” or “dual cask finish”) Tennessee Whiskey Straight and Blended Tequila Silver - All Gold, Reposado, and Añejo - require certification. Certified: Casa Vieja*, Don Bernardo G*, Sol Dios* Approved: 100 Años (blanco, verde, azul) Jimador Casa Real José Cuervo Camino Real Kaban (inc. the flavored tequilas) Cazadores La Perseverancia (reposado 100% de agave) Centinela Mega 2000 Don Julio Milagro Blanco Galardon (reposado 100% de agave) Salusa Galindo Sauza (Hornitos, Conmemorativo, Hacienda black, Extra Gold) Herradura Tres Generaciones (añejo, reposado, plata) Hilu Triada (añejo 100% de agave Mon Mar 30 13:17:44 -0700 2009 4551574 194287 midasgold 2 4551821 Agree with the two previous posters. I also noted that for a company with a lot of brands, it seems it has only one I've ever heard of--Mozart Chocolate Liqueur. Mon Mar 30 13:28:36 -0700 2009 4551776 12009 DeisCane 2 4551871 And as for declaring itself to be high-end, that's for the taster to decide. I've tried many tequilas in Mexico that claim to be exclusive or "high-end" and a great many taste like kerosene. Mon Mar 30 13:40:39 -0700 2009 4551776 202198 ferret