\

After Cristobal de Oñate, one of the original Buscadores, established the township of Tequila, the product which shares its name has been a local commodity ever since. Harvested, distilled and bottled for the last 400 years, tequila has earned a reputation unto itself. It was treated with such care when imported back to Spain in the early centuries that gold from the galleons was unloaded before the tequila so as to insure that as few bottles as possible were broken or lost. From here a long love relationship would begin for those fortunate enough to taste this exotic and provocative elixer.

“I wanted to forget the way they do in Jalisco, but those Mariachis and the tequila only made me cry” – Carlos Monsivais

For any tequila to be labeled 100% pure tequila, the agave must be harvested, distilled and bottled in one of only 5 regions of Mexico. If done outside of this region, it is labeled as “mescal”, much like Champagne can only be labeled as such when it is from the region Champagne in France. For over the last 400 years, the distillation techniques and growing of the agaves has been perfected to a science. In 1902 a German botanist, Herr Weber, dedicated himself to the study of different varieties of agave and registered the family of Agave tequilana azul in the taxonomy of succulents.

Later, this variation of agave would become known as Agave tequilana Weber Azul, and is highly sought after for it's ability to deliver some of the most flavorful and smooth tequila’s to come out of Mexico in centuries. In the making of Buscadores Tequila it is important to note that not only is our tequila 100% pure but is distilled solely from the Blue Weber Agave. Below is a chart illustrating some of the major differences between our tequila and other brands.

Buscadores, a A&B Imports LLC. Product, is truly a unique Tequila. As Tequilas have become more popular, they have been moved from under the bar and are now proudly displayed on a shelf visible to all, whether it be customers or your friends. Have a look at how bottles and packaging have come along in the past ten years. Tequila bottles, even if not enjoyed by the owner, are things of conversation. From the hand blown cactus inside a Porfidio bottle to the simplicity of Don Julio.

We at A&B Imports intend to capture the attention of the common and not-so-common Tequila patron. The color purple has been associated with royalty and extravagance for centuries and we feel that it is only fitting that Buscadores reside in a purple bottle. Many will think that it is too expensive to purchase because of the simple beauty of the product but will think twice when they realize the taste and value which lies in our majestic purple bottles.

Priced with the mid-range tequilas, but with the purity and smoothness of the higher-range tequilas, Buscadores is sure to stand tall against the competition. We have not simply made a beautiful presentation but have filled it with an incredible product as well. Buscadores is a tequila that our families enjoy in margaritas as well as straight up, slightly chilled.

With Buscadores, the hard work has already been done for you. We have been searching for the best and are now able to bring it to your shelves. Be sure to send us some of your favorite and unique tequila drinks and recipes. We will share these with the rest of the world in our recipes section and if yours is chosen, we will send you a t-shirt and a hat (sorry, federal law restricts us from sending you a bottle of Buscadores).

A&B Imports, LLC.

ABI, the exclusive distributor of Buscadores Tequila, was chartered as a corporation in the state of Texas on June 3, 1996. Their charter number is 01402353 and their tax ID number is 76-0505006. One million shares is the aggregate number of shares the corporation shall have authority to issue. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) issued a wholesaler’s permit to TCI on August 23, 1999. The current TABC permit # is W577641. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (BATF) issued import permit TX-I-1078 to TCI on September 15, 1999. The permit allows importing into the United States, the following alcoholic beverages: Distilled Spirits and Wine, and while so engaged, to sell, offer to deliver for sale, contract to sell or ship, in interstate or foreign commerce, the alcoholic beverage so imported. On December 22, 1999, TCI received the label and bottle approval from BATF for Buscadores Tequila Reposado and Anejo.

Reposado y Anejo tequila

Buscadores Tequila is made from 100 % Blue Weber Agave, grown on ranchos owned by Don Feliciano Vivanco, a third generation agave grower. This operation grows and harvests roughly four million agave plants which take up to ten years to mature and manages the pressing, fermenting, distillation, filtering, aging, and bottling processes. After the agave piñas have been harvested, they are placed in adobe ovens where they are steamed for 72 hours. By using this traditional steam method, the lower temperatures ensure the survival of the piña’s flavor enhancing enzymes. Following this process the transformed soft piñas are now pressed in order to extract the juices, which are placed in the fermentation tanks. Natural fermentation takes from 7 to 10 days. After the sugar content in the juice has been converted to alcohol, the natural reaction ceases and the juice is ready for the first distillation. The vaporization point of alcohol is 172.5 degrees Fahrenheit, which allows the alcohol vapor to be separated from the other components of the fermented agave juice. The newly produced alcohol vapor is condensed by a cooling process and the liquid alcohol is piped to a holding tank. The first and last portions of this distillation are referred to as the heads and tails and are discarded to remove any impurities. A second distillation will transform the liquid alcohol into tequila. The final distilled product is as clear as water and measures 76 degrees alcohol by volume (152 proof). Water from the artesian well on site is distilled and blended with the 100% pure tequila to reduce it to 40 degrees alcohol by volume (80 proof); the highest proof allowed in the United States. The final product is aged in small charred American bourbon oak casks (190 liters), which impart the special flavor and golden color to the tequila. TCI bottles two types of Buscadores Tequila: Reposado and Anejo. To be labeled a Reposado (“rested”), the product must be aged a minimum of two months in oak. Buscadores ages their Reposado in small charred oak American bourbon casks for at least six months.
To be labeled an Anejo (“aged”), the “super premium” of tequilas, the product must be aged a minimum of 12 months in oak casks. Buscadores again exceeds these minimum requirements, aging their product closer to 18 months, in order to enhance the agave characteristics; an art form not practiced by many tequila operations, which focus on quantity. After the aging process, Buscadores is bottled by hand in the distinct purple Bordeaux style bottles, which proudly display the Buscadores brand name.

Legend has it that the tequila Cristobal de Oñate, a Spanish Conqueror, sent back to the king of Spain was, of course, in a purple bottle. The 750 ml bottles are wrapped in plastic and placed 12 to a case. There are four rows of 14 cases combining for a total of 56 cases per pallet, for a total weight of approximately 2,117 pounds. The bar codes are 77054 90087 for Reposado and 77054 90088 for Anejo. A full container consists of 20 pallets for a total combined weight of 42, 340 pounds and consists of 13,440 bottles or 1,120 cases. The container is insured and transported by tractor trailer to the U.S.-Mexico border. Upon crossing the border, the federal liquor tax is due to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, www.ttb.gov.