This is a bolt from the blue, a modern Tequila created to mix with tonic water. That's right, move over gin and tonic, the T&T has arrived. El Rayo, meaning"lightning", is the future of Tequila. Their No.2 Reposado is a full-bodied spirit that has been rested in ex-whisky casks for seven months. This imparts that stunning golden caramel colour, as well as notes of Crunch Nut Cornflakes, cinnamon and bitter orange that will really appeal to whisky drinkers (especially those that love a highball). But what we really love about it is that the peppery spice, fresh herbs and earthy agave of the original spirit still come through, because that's what makes it so good with tonic. Serve one part El Rayo Tequila to two parts Indian tonic water and garnish with grapefruit. If you're still a bit unsure about mixing Tequila with tonic, don't worry because El Rayo is also great in cocktails or sipped neat over tacos. But, before you dismiss Tequila and tonic, see what the press has to say about it:"Tequila and tonic; it's delicious and you should try it."- GQ Magazine"Tequila and tonic is a thing now."- The Sunday Times"The T&T. Controversial certainly, but once tried, it's hard to argue against."- Evening Standard Jack Vereker and Tom Bishop, the co-founders of El Rayo, have been best mates for more than 20 years. One night in Peckham, London, they were poured a Tequila that blew their minds. Used to shooting the filthy, cheap stuff, they had no idea that this ancient spirit could taste so good. So, they quit their jobs immediately and headed to Guadalajara. From there, they ventured into Mexico's highlands, where they met Maestro Tequilero, Oscar Garcia. Together, they selected the finest, hand-harvested agave plants and distilled it into a fresh Tequila. The beautiful bottle, created by a Mexican designer called Mario, appears to be a nod to the old legend that Tequila was discovered when lightning struck an agave plant during a thunderstorm, burning the heart (or piña), cooking it and causing it to naturally ferment. A local found the milky substance oozing from the agave, tasted it, loved it (particularly the euphoric feeling it delivered), and pulque - a kind of agave mead and the basis of Tequila and Mezcal - was born. Things get a bit hazy then, as to whether the Mexicans began distilling it or that came later with the arrival of the colonising Spanish, but we can probably just park the story there for the moment. The striking label is also a reference to the lightning bolt that hit Jack and Tom on tasting their first truly great Tequila. We hope you'll experience a similar flash of epiphany when you open El Rayo.£6.57 per 100.00ml