Saudade: the premium white tequila that’s shaking up the market… from Paris!

A newcomer to the European market, Saudade is a high-end white tequila made in Mexico but designed in France. A bold initiative to be followed closely.

The name evokes sweet melancholy, the warmth of a memory. Saudade is also the name of a premium tequila coming to France with a clear ambition: to change the image of white tequila. Far from festive clichés or sugary industrial bottles, this new brand aims to impose a finer, more artisanal alternative, at the crossroads of two cultures.

Founded by five French partners, Saudade is based on a unique concept: a blend of the two great Mexican terroirs of Jalisco, the valley (more peppery) and the Los Altos highlands (rounder and more floral). The result is a balanced, additive-free aromatic profile with notes of chamomile, sweet pepper and subtle chili pepper.

A white tequila… French?

While Saudade remains an AOC tequila, produced in Mexico according to the rules of the appellation, its vision is French. The artistic director is Billie Thomassin, photographer and film-maker, who has designed a refined, handcrafted bottle in recycled glass blown in Guadalajara, topped with a red cap evoking the setting sun.

When it comes to taste, founder Alexandre Malouf focuses on purity. No trace of added flavorings: “Many brands hide behind the label ‘100% agave’, while incorporating up to 10% additives”, he stresses. As for Saudade, it’s all about transparency: a tequila made to be enjoyed neat, but also perfect for cocktails, especially margaritas.

A gradual move between Monaco and Paris

With an initial batch of 10,000 bottles, Saudade begins selective distribution. Already present in Monaco, notably at the Yacht Club, the brand is preparing an official launch in Paris in mid-September, with discussions underway with La Maison du Whisky and Nicolas.

Saudade is more than a spirit: it’s an aesthetic, sensory and contemporary universe. To be followed in the capital’s best bars.

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