It’s not every day you’re invited to a fine dining Day of the Dead themed Mexican tequila paired dinner. So I was excited to attend Maestro DOBEL’s glamorous private dining experience at London’s most exclusive Mexican restaurant Kol last month.

Launching just before the the Day of the Dead festival, Maestro DOBEL ® 50 1•9•6•9 is the second stanza of the ultra rare, limited edition DOBEL 50 series that honours the truly inspiring events that occurred 50 years ago. This ultra-premium Extra Añejo tequila is by Jose Cuervo – the oldest tequila brand in the world. It is matured in sophisticated Sauternes casks selected from the private cellar of eleventh generation Master Blender, Juan Domingo “Dobel’ Beckmann in the company of his inner circle and friends.

The hotly anticipated release follows Maestro DOBEL 50 1•9•6•7 in top London bars in 2019 and, for the first time, Maestro DOBEL 50 1•9•6•9 has recently been made available to collectors via Hedonism, Harvey Nichols and Selfridges. The World’s Best Bar – The Connaught Bar and chic private members’ club Annabel’s will also be stocking the luxury tequila for well heeled guests with expensive tastes.

This was a special dinner to learn about the rich heritage of this iconic tequila brand and celebrate the launch of its extra large £895 bottle – of which only a small number have been produced.

My dining buddy Jessie and I were in awe of the stunning Mexican themed table decor courtesy of Ana Emilia Storiesand the food served by Kol’s head chef was exquisite. The tequila on the other hand was somewhat otherworldly.

Tequila is my favourite tipple of choice, but I had yet to try DOBEL. I was told it was the oldest tequila brand in the world, so I wasn’t surprised when every glass that accompanied each course was more magnificent than the last.

As we gorged on slow cooked Mexican meats wrapped in tasty blue corn tortillas and sipped on soul-soothing tequila cocktails, we learnt more about this iconic brand from an engrossing presentation.

Reflecting the pioneering reputation the house of DOBEL has cultivated, Maestro DOBEL 50 1•9•6•9 is inspired by the year man first walked on the moon, Woodstock captured the

imagination of a nation, The Beatles last performed live and, closer to home in Mexico, when they revealed the first ‘Metro.’ This was also when President Gustavo Díaz Ordaz opened the first native factory for Mexican banknotes.

This silky smooth liquor is hand-crafted with the finest tequilas aged in American and French white oak barrels, before being finished for a period in Sauternes casks. The final tequila has a dark amber colour, intense fruity aromatics of peach, ripe red apples, prunes and toasted wood with a sweet palate of bread, strudel and apple pie – perfect for the upcoming festive season.

After sampling the glorious wares at Kol and far too many tequilas that were necessary, Jessie and I left in a giddy warm haze of happiness and appreciation for a tequila brand with a rich history – and experimental Mexican food.