Stoli Group debuts master distiller for Cenote Tequila

With its Global Distributor, SPI Spirits (Cyprus) Limited, registered on the island, global ultra-premium spirits and wines company Stoli Group has named Miguel Cedeño-Cruz as its master distiller for Cenote Tequila.

According to an announcement from the company, Cenote Tequila is Stoli's ultra-premium 100% Agave Azul Tequila with a complex flavor profile that balances fragrant cooked agave with delicate wood notes.

“Cedeño-Cruz brings extensive experience, skill, and innovation to his role as master distiller in which he will be responsible for overseeing the production processes, quality control, and strategic development of the brand,” the company’s announcement says.

Damian McKinney, Global CEO of Stoli Group, commented, "A true visionary and master in tequila, as well as engineer, academic, author and consultant, Cedeño-Cruz combines his passion for science with his love for tequila. Cedeño-Cruz is a legendary figure in the industry, and we are thrilled to have him join Cenote. We trust that he will protect the Cenote Tequila recipe and steer the product as the label continues to expand."

Hailing from Guadalajara, Mexico, Cedeño-Cruz has expansive knowledge of the tequila industry. His extensive experience includes serving as tequila manager at Diageo Mexico, president of several technical committees in the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT), professor for the Alcohol School from Alltech Institute of Brewing and Distilling, master distiller for the Tequila National Chamber, developer of tequila brands for Sazerac and E&J Gallo (among others), operation director in Tequila Herradura and Brown-Forman, and Diageo contractor for sustainability projects.

"I have long admired Cenote," Miguel Cedeño-Cruz, commented through an announcement from the company, adding, "I am thrilled to do my part to build and enhance such an outstanding product. I am most excited for consumers who have yet to experience Cenote, to get a taste of it, as it is incomparable in its excellence."

An industry leader and skilled presenter, Cedeño-Cruz is tapped to speak at leading conferences around the globe including in Mexico, the US, Canada, UK and Ireland. Of note, Cedeño-Cruz has presented the tequila process to world leaders including the presidents of Mexico (Felipe Calderon), the US (Barack Obama), and Canada (Stephen Harper).

And, according to McKinney, "Stoli Group is excited to begin this next chapter of the brand with the knowledge and expertise of Miguel Cedeño-Cruz.”

Stoli Group was established in 2013 and is responsible for the production, management, and distribution of a global spirits and wines portfolio. Headquartered in Luxembourg, Stoli has production facilities in Argentina, Latvia, Spain, and the United States. Its Global Distributor is SPI Spirits (Cyprus) Limited which is registered in the Republic of Cyprus.

SPI Group, founded in 1997, is headquartered in Luxembourg and operate in over 170 markets active in the production, sale and distribution of more than 380 brands. The company has multinational team throughout its offices in 36 countries – with key locations in Cyprus, USA, UK, France, Switzerland, and China.