Have you ever wondered who’s behind the complex, agave-forward taste of G4 Tequila? It’s the Camarena family, and their story is deeply rooted in tradition. For generations, the Camarenas have honed their craft, dedicating themselves to making tequila the right way – with respect for the land, a passion for quality, and a commitment to sustainability. Today, their legacy is bottled in every sip of G4 Tequila, a producer-owned brand that represents the culmination of their expertise and love for this iconic spirit.
- Generations of Tequila Craftsmanship
- From Cattle Ranch to Tequila Distillery
- The G4 Tequila Production Process
- Sustainability at the Heart of G4 Tequila
- Experience the Legacy of G4 Tequila
Let’s explore the story behind G4 Tequila, from its humble beginnings to its rise as a premium spirit that’s capturing the hearts and palates of tequila lovers worldwide.
Generations of Tequila Craftsmanship
The story of G4 Tequila is a family saga spanning three generations of Camarenas who’ve dedicated their lives to the art of tequila. Felipe Camarena, the current maestro tequilero, learned the ropes from his father and grandfather, inheriting a wealth of knowledge and a passion for crafting exceptional spirits before opening his own distillery with his sons and leaving his father’s distillery in the hands of his five sisters.
Felipe, as a trained engineer, brings a unique perspective to the distillery, constantly seeking ways to improve and innovate while staying true to the time-honored methods that have made G4 Tequila a standout. He believes in blending the best of both worlds – honoring the past while embracing the future.
From Cattle Ranch to Tequila Distillery
Did you know that G4 Tequila started not with agave but with a bull? A beloved bull named Pando, to be exact, held a special place in the heart of Felipe’s grandfather. The distinctive curved back of Pando earned him the nickname “El Pandillo,” and his legacy lives on in the name of the family’s cattle farm, Rancho el Pandillo, where Destileria el Pandillo now stands.
In 1910, the Camarena family made its first attempt at tequila production in Arandas. However, those early efforts were thwarted when the distillery was destroyed during the Mexican Revolution. The only survivor? The tahona, the stone wheel used to crush agave, a symbol of resilience that now proudly forms part of the El Pandillo distillery logo.
Some years later, Felipe’s grandfather built the distillery La Altena, which still produces the family legacy brand Tapatio. G4 is named after Felipe’s sons, the fourth generation of the Camarena family, who dedicated their lives to perfecting the art of tequila-making. G4 Tequila has grown steadily since its inception, thanks to its exceptional quality and rich heritage.
The G4 Tequila Production Process
Ever wondered how G4 Tequila gets its unique flavor and character? The magic lies in its meticulous production process, which blends traditional methods with innovative techniques. Each step is crafted to guarantee the highest quality and authenticity.
At the heart of many tequila production is the use of the tahona, a giant stone wheel used to crush the agave to extract its juices. The tahona method, passed down through generations, ensures that the natural flavors and aromas of agave are preserved.
But the Camarenas aren’t afraid to embrace innovation to enhance efficiency and sustainability. Their special tahona, Felipenstein, the brainchild of Felipe himself, extracts a remarkable 97% of the sugar from the agave fibers, maximizing yield while minimizing waste.
The extracted agave juice then undergoes fermentation, where yeast is introduced to transform the agave sugars into alcohol. G4 Tequila uses natural yeast present in the surrounding environment along with a starter of agave yeast originally cultivated by Felipe’s grandfather, which imparts a unique flavor profile that reflects the terroir of the region.
During distillation, G4 Tequila doesn’t cut the heads, the initial portion of the distillate that many producers discard to avoid unwanted flavors. However, the process involves meticulous control and monitoring to ensure that only the purest and most flavorful tequila is collected.
Sustainability at the Heart of G4 Tequila
From the beginning, the Camarena family has made it a priority to produce tequila in a way that respects and preserves the environment. G4 Tequila not only creates high-quality, additive-free spirits but also sets a standard for sustainability in the tequila industry.
Felipe believes that the quality of the water is just as important as the quality of the agave. That’s why G4 Tequila uses three different types of water: rainwater, spring water, and deep well water. These water sources contribute to the balance of minerals and flavors and help reduce reliance on local water supplies.
The distillery itself is built to utilize gravity, allowing the tequila to flow naturally through the production process. The clever design minimizes the need for pumps and other energy-consuming equipment, making G4 Tequila a greener choice for eco-conscious consumers.
But it doesn’t stop there. G4 Tequila has implemented a natural cooling system that takes advantage of the local climate to efficiently cool the water used in production without adding to the environmental footprint. Most water is reused wherever possible, ensuring minimal waste and maximizing resource efficiency.
Experience the Legacy of G4 Tequila
G4 Tequila is a testament to the passion, dedication, and unwavering commitment of the Camarena family. It’s a tequila that embodies generations of expertise, a deep respect for tradition, and a relentless pursuit of sustainability.
Ready to experience the legacy for yourself? Check out our wide range of premium tequila expressions, each with its own unique character and charm. Use our store locator to find a bottle near your location. Need assistance? Contact us at (312) 796-6483 or here.