By Chris Simmons

For many Tequila producers, separating yourself from the pack can be a challenge in a crowded market. The owners of Tequila Ocho have managed to not only create a unique brand, they’ve set a precedence others are starting to follow.

First launched about eight years ago, Tequila Ocho is considered a “Single Estate” Tequila. It’s owners, the venerable Carlos Camarena and Tomas Estes, set off to do something different from the start. Taking a page out of single vineyard wines, they wanted to prove terroir matters in the agave world as it does with wine. The premise of Tequila Ocho is that each batch produced comes from agave sourced from a single field. The finished product is then distinguished on the bottle with the name of the field and the vintage. Year after year, consumers taste the difference from one field to another. They say imitation is the highest form of flattery. Now we see other brands utilizing terroir in their own marketing strategies, proving that Tequila Ocho has managed to succeed with innovation despite a crowded field. Salud to Tequila Ocho!