LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORY
Many entrepreneurs are inspired by travel and unique experiences from other parts of the world. For South African entrepreneur Sarah Kennan, her inspiration came from her travels to Mexico and her experience of agave spirit production. She returned home on a mission to turn her new found passion and knowledge of turning locally grown agave into a unique product that the would would love - and so her brand Leonista was born.
LoA spoke to the talented and tenacious founder of Leonista, Sarah Kennan, recently to find out more about this multi-award winning brand and the journey to launch it successfully into the market.
Leonista which means "Lion energy", is the first 100% Karoo agave spirit in the country (South Africa) made in the traditional Mexican way. The production process follows an age-old recipe used in Mexico to make Agave spirits like Mezcal, which I learned about when I went to Mexico and worked with the master distillers there. It requires smoke and fire, hence Leonista has a delicious smokey flavour similar to that of a Mezcal. Tequila is a type of Mezcal, and both are made from the agave plant.
“Leonista, the first high Quality 100% agave spirit (Tequila/Mezcal) made in South Africa using agave grown in South Africa.”
“Leonista is organic and we are trying to be as sustainable and conscious as a company as possible.”
Leonista has four spirit products for our customers to enjoy - Blanco, Reposado, Honey Reposado and as of January 2020, our Reposado Black.
Blanco: meaning "White" is un-aged and the smokiest of the three. This is the closest to a Mezcal. Best served neat or with one block of ice. Best for use in cocktails with fresh ingredients. AWARDS: Gold medal winner at Michelangelo awards, Gold medal at the 2019 Old Mutual Trophy Spirits Show and Silver medal winner at the 2018 San Francisco Spirits Awards.
Reposado: Meaning “rested", reposado is aged in oak barrels for three to six months which gives it that golden colour and is slightly sweeter with wooden undertones and subtle notes of smokiness at the end. Best served neat or on one block of ice. Great for use in cocktails with fresh ingredients. AWARDS: Bronze medal at the 2018 San Francisco Spirits Awards.
Honey Reposado: aged in oak barrels for three to six months and then infused with raw honey sourced from around Cape Town. Hints of honey sweetness with subtle notes of smokey at the end. Best served cold from fridge neat or on one block of ice. Great for use in cocktails with fresh ingredients. AWARDS: Trophy for Best Tequila of Show at the 2019 Old Mutual Trophy Spirits Show.
Reposado Black: this is the newest member of the pride and is mellow and aged with delicious notes of caramel and chocolate. It is rested for 6 - 8 months in old brandy, American oak barrels that give it a smooth mouth feel. It is best enjoyed neat at room temperature or with 1 block of ice. This product was launched early 2020 and we are very excited to see what awards it will win.
“100% agave spirits are the most energy giving of all if treated with respect.”
What makes Leonista different is that it is the first high quality 100% agave spirit (Tequila/Mezcal) to be made in South Africa using agave grown in South Africa. It’s organic and we are trying to be as sustainable and conscious as a company as possible. Lastly, a percentage of every bottle sold goes towards supporting African conservation, working to help save our planet. Inspired by the company ethos of Patagonia Inc.
Our aspirations for Leonista are to build the same industry and culture in South Africa as I saw in Mexico by educating South Africans about good quality 100% agave. The goal of our #DrinkWithRespect campaign is to educate consumers on how to drink agave spirits like tequila. Rather than shooting it, we want people to sip it. Instead of drinking many types of alcohols in one night, we want people to pick one spirit. This, combined with drinking good quality spirits will make one feel much better.
“Get ready to change your outlook on Tequila and awaken the lion within.”
Leonista products are available nationwide in South Africa. Check the website for locations. www.leonista.co.za However, you can find Leonista online at Norman Goodfellow’s, Yuppichef, Takealot and through the BottlesApp. Bottle stores include various Tops, Pick n Pay Liquors, Checkers and Liquor City.
Find out more
Check out our lifestyle videos for the way we want Leonista to make you feel and how to drink it - with respect.
If you would like to see how its made, see production video below:
if you would like to be more clued up on Mezcal, see video below:
Contact Leonista
