Ray’s Boathouse on the shores of Ballard has always been a special place in special location that produces something that speaks to our specific area of the planet. We consistently seek to bring this uniqueness forward to our guests so they may experience what our little part of the globe has to offer in its purest form.  We do this in part by complementing our food with unique beer, wine, and spirits.

Years ago we decided to source barrels of hand selected Bourbon from iconic producers near Louisville such as Four Roses, Woodford Reserve, and Old Forrester to help support our December Steakhouse Pop-Up.  After a few years of doing this we started to think internationally. After some discussion we decide to visit Mexico and source a barrel of tequila.  In doing our research it became obvious to us that Herradura located in La Hacienda de San José del Refugio in the town of Amatitán in the lowlands of Jalisco (nine miles south of the town of Tequila) was our destination.

The Hacienda Herradura was founded in the 1500’s, the birthplace of tequila as we know it today, and the creators of the Reposado category. Upon arriving the history of this location was apparent. This is something that is so deep and amazing that we don’t have time to explore it here, but I highly recommend that you do.

With only enough time to be away from Ray’s for a few days our experience was a bit of a whirlwind. What sticks with me the most is the level of hospitality and kindness that not only the ambassadors of Herradura provided to us, but the people of Amatitán in general.  From restaurant and hotel staff, to drivers and passerby’s, the feeling of being welcome and appreciated was memorable.

Here’s some highlights:

• Our guided tour took us from the estate Blue Weber agave fields, to the giant agave ovens, and then the distillery.
• It culminated with us sitting in a private tasting room hand pulling samples from 3 different barrels of Double Reposado, an expression that is only available to those who visit in person and purchase a whole barrel.
• This Double Reposado spends 11 months in charred American White Oak barrels, then expert distillers transfer the tequila to fresh barrels for an additional month of flavor-elevating rest.
• This novel process results in a refined, intense sipping tequila.
• Of the three barrels we tasted one stood out as exemplifying the true micro climate at Casa Herradura. It has the roundness of tropical fruit pulled in from the trees planted around the estate which the native bats cross pollinate.
• This pollen and fruit plays with the ambient yeast that inoculates the open fermentation tanks.
• This tropical flavor/aroma is mixed with the sweet potato style flavor coming from whole roasted agave piñas producing an amazing tour of Herradura in a glass. True terroir.

We highly recommend you visit Seatt and give this a try for yourself.  We hope that you get transported back in time to a place where tequila was first born.

– Douglas Zellers, Ray’s GM and Co-Owner

Enjoy Ray’s Herradura Double Barrel Reposado Tequila in our 1st floor Boathouse and 2nd floor Cafe!

Boathouse

The Plot Twist – Ray’s Herradura Double Reposado Tequila, house tamarind syrup, lime juice, ancho chili rim, large rock

Cafe

Raymance – Ray’s Herradura Double Reposado Tequila, Benedictine, hibiscus syrup, cranberry, orange bitters, lime