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Lewis Hamilton‘s spirit brand, Almave, broke ground as the first non-alcoholic tequila alternative to be made using Blue Agave, the plant that’s the basis for tequila production. Now, amid the booming popularity of mezcal, Almave is launching Humo, a smoky non-alcoholic spirit made with Espadin agave.
The seven-time F1 champion launched Almave alongside Master Distiller Ivan Saldaña of Casa Lumbre in 2023. Before launching Humo, Almave offered Ambar and Blanco, two NA tequilas made in Jalisco from Blue Agave.
Almave Humo
$36.99
Buy Now at almave
Mezcal is often the logical next step for tequila drinkers exploring agave, and that was the thought process for Almave in launching Humo. “We found that many agave spirit drinkers begin with tequila, then learn about mezcales as they gain a curiosity and appreciation that inspires them to venture further into the world of agave spirits,” said Saldaña in a statement.
While tequila is technically a type of mezcal, the two are differentiated in part by the latter’s signature smoky flavor, which comes from roasting the piña, or the heart of the agave plant, in a pit. Almave uses Espadin agave from the foot of the Popocatépetl volcano and emulates the traditional mezcal production process. Humo is pit-roasted in a traditional oven with fire and volcanic stones, and uses water from the distillery’s well, according to the brand.
Hamilton previously told Rolling Stone that his ability to stay on top of his game was a key inspiration in launching Almave, as was the importance of staying present off the track. “As I’ve gotten older, I’ve started to really value the quiet moments with my friends and family, and to appreciate coming together over a great meal or drinks. In those moments, when you’re really focused on your surroundings and the people you’re with, you want to be able to enjoy what you’re putting into your body without worrying about how it will affect you the next day.”
Humo retails for $36.99, and is available today from Almave.
