Tequila Sales Treble

Consumption of tequila, the fiery spirit traditionally distilled from the cactus-like agave plant, has trebled in the UK in the last decade to 1.35 million litres a year.

The global market has grown by an average of 9 per cent a year for the past 10 years and is now worth an estimated £3bn.

Sales of 100 per cent agave tequilas – many made from the Weber's blue agave species taking up to 12 years to mature and reputedly producing the finest flavour – have risen by 30 per cent in the past year and by 60 per cent in 2007, with 500,000 bottles now being sold in venues such as London cocktail bars.

The rise of premium tequila is due to a decision by Mexican producers to dramatically increase planting of blue agave. Before most tequila had been produced with a half-and-half mixture of agave and sugar cane spirit – a combination said to be responsible for the drink's renowned ability to cause hangovers.

Widely revered as the best, and currently the most popular selling luxury tequila in Mexico, Tequila Don Julio is the choice for the spirits and cocktail connoisseur.