Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1051430
f a l l 2 0 1 8 | 7 3 The Man In a world filled with fascinating people, 123 Spirits founder, CEO, and Master Distiller David Ravandi stands out. In telling the capti- vating story of his life and that of the brands he's developed and nurtured, including the highly regarded—and now competing—Casa Noble Tequila, the polyglot and serial entre- preneur likes to let the fruits of his labor speak for themselves. The Spirits Employed by countless spirits brands, the term "premium" only just begins to describe the tequilas, and now mezcal, 123 Spirits has rolled out since its inception. In launching the company, Ravandi says he set out to create a "tequila for wine drinkers": an agave spirit that channels the environmental characteristics behind its cultivation, harvest, and production processes into the still, the bottle, and, finally, the glass. Sustainability and sensitivity to the envi- ronment are of critical concern to Ravandi and, as a result, to 123 Spirits' business practices. In addition to relying on renew- able resources, the company ensures its products are both USDA- and E.U.-Certified Organic; all of its agave plants, meanwhile, are grown without the use of pesticides and artificial fertilizers. And while Ravandi guides and oversees the small-batch pro- duction process from beginning to end, he seeks the experience, talent, and wisdom of employees who hail from a long lineage of tequila and mezcal makers. 123 Spirits takes its name from the port- folio's three initial releases: Organic Tequila Blanco (Uno), Organic Tequila Reposado (Dos), and Organic Tequila Añejo (Tres). Only later did Ravandi release his Organic Tequila Extra Añejo—nicknamed "Diablito," or "little devil"—to reflect his company's painstaking attention to detail. The expression sees an annual release of just 2,500 bottles Ravandi originally intended for personal use—the tequilero's private reserve, if you will. MIXOLOGISTS LEARN THEY CAN COUNT ON 123 ORGANIC TEQUILA'S DAVID RAVANDI by Philip Dobard photos by Cal Bingham The 123 Spirits portfolio currently comprises Organic Tequila Blanco (Uno), Organic Tequila Reposado (Dos), Organic Tequila Añejo (Tres), Diablito Organic Tequila Extra Añejo, Cráneo Organic Mezcal, and El Luchador Organic Tequila Blanco 110. The 123 Spirits portfolio can be easily incorporated into a variety of cocktails.