I’ve just come back from an unforgettable trip to Jalisco, Mexico, where I had the privilege of visiting the Tequila TROMBA distillery with a group of our investors. We spent the day with the team, walking through the fields, touring the distillery, and most memorably, opening casks that belong to our clients… each one crafted under the guidance of master distiller Marco Cedano.
We tasted tequila from fresh, peppery Blanco all the way through to beautifully matured Extra Añejo. The range was stunning. But what stood out most wasn’t just the oak influence… it was how much of the spirit’s character was already fully formed before the cask came into play.
That’s the beautiful truth about tequila, it’s a distillery-forward spirit. Unlike whisky, where a huge portion of the final flavour is derived from years of cask ageing, tequila gets much of its identity from the raw materials and production process. Things like the agave varietal, the terroir where it was grown, how it was cooked, how it was fermented, and of course, how it was distilled.
At TROMBA, Marco’s philosophy is all about clarity and precision. He sources highland agave, known for its sweetness and floral tones, and uses traditional ovens and natural fermentation to preserve the plant’s natural character. What comes off the still already tastes finished and full of personality. The cask then becomes more of a supporting actor, adding depth and complexity rather than defining the spirit outright.
In contrast, whisky is often a cask-forward spirit. Especially with Scotch, it’s not uncommon for around 80% of the final flavour to come from the barrel. The spirit starts out relatively neutral, and time in oak is what gives it complexity and maturity. With tequila, the artistry happens before the cask, and that’s why the master distiller’s role is so critical.
When you invest in agave spirits, you’re investing in a spirit that reflects the land, the plant, and the people who made it. From day one. It’s a shorter-term asset than whisky, typically 1 to 3 years in cask, but in that short window, there’s a lot less room to hide. The quality has to be there from the beginning. That’s why we work with distilleries like TROMBA, where attention to detail is built into every litre.
For me, this trip was a powerful reminder of why we do what we do at GORDON Premium Spirit Investments. We’re not just building portfolios… We’re connecting our clients to the soul of the spirit, to the story behind the glass.
And when that story includes someone like Marco Cedano, you know you’re in very good hands.
My Journey to Mexico: A Journal By CEO Samuel Gordon
