Dining

When less is more: Patrón tequila launches El Alto Mini bottle, serve with a splash of champagne

PATRÓN EL ALTO mini bottle

Patrón has launched the Patrón El Alto Mini, a pocket-sized 50ml edition of its celebrated premium tequila, in the UK. Just in time for National Tequila Day on July 24, the new bottle offers the same artisanal blend in a handy new format.

Patrón El Alto was originally introduced as a refined expression of luxury tequila, created from a blend of extra añejo, añejo, and reposado tequilas, and distilled entirely from 100 per cent Weber Blue Agave grown in the Jalisco Highlands of Mexico.  

The El Alto Mini presents the same liquid in a distinctive azure-blue bottle, inspired by the natural hues of the agave fields that define the spirit’s terroir. It’s a collectible piece in its own right, as well as a practical option for solo sippers or those marking special occasions on the move.

Patrón El Alto was originally introduced as a refined expression of luxury tequila, created from a blend of extra añejo, añejo, and reposado tequilas…

While Patrón El Alto is traditionally served neat over ice, the brand is recommending a seasonal twist: the tequila topped with a splash of dry (Brut) champagne. This minimalist serve is designed to enhance the tequila’s complex flavours while delivering a celebratory touch suited to summer soirées.

El Alto is matured in 11 different types of oak barrels, primarily hybrid casks composed of American oak bodies and French oak heads, a technique that contributes to its layered, mellow character. Expect tasting notes of figs, dried fruit, caramel, and vanilla.

The  Patrón El Alto Mini is available now from select UK retailers. Full-size Patrón El Alto reposado is available from The Whisky Exchange, priced at £189

Here’s where you can find the most affordable glass of champagne in the world

If you’ve ever raised an eyebrow at a champagne bill and thought, “Well that escalated quickly,” you’re not alone. A new Champagne Index from global chauffeur service Blacklane has crunched the numbers on what a single glass of bubbly actually costs around the world – and the results are fizzing with surprises. Researched by drinks…

Drink in 2026 with these Jamaican sherried rum, peated whisky, and high-strength bourbon exclusives

The Whisky Exchange has dropped three new exclusive bottlings to mark the start of 2026, spanning Scotch whisky, American bourbon and Jamaican rum. The limited collection comprises an experimental single-cask Torabhaig from the Isle of Skye, a punchy single-barrel bourbon from Bardstown Bourbon Company, and a sherry-cask-aged Hampden Estate rum that leans fully into the…

New Cask Strength Highland Park whisky puts Orkney heather front and centre

Just in time for Burns Night, Orkney-based Highland Park has announced a limited-edition cask strength single malt whisky. The new release, Cask Strength: Heather, is made using 100 per cent Orkney peat-smoked barley, with peat sourced responsibly from Hobbister Moor, just a few miles from the distillery. Given Orkney’s northern latitude, trees struggle to grow,…