Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - A week-long celebration in the State of Jalisco marked Mexico's first-ever National Day of Tequila on March 16th - but the party's not over! To close the of the National Tequila Day celebrations, Guadalajara will attempt to set a new Guinness World Record for the world's largest tequila tasting.
Guadalajara is looking to entice 1,200 residents and visitors to join in the city's attempt to beat Canada's record of 864 tequila tasters, which earned the city of Toronto a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records in 2013. Previously, the title belonged to the Mexican state of Guanajuato, with 341 participants in 2010.
Breaking this record will result in the world-wide promotion of the State of Jalisco, as the Guinness Book of World Records is the second most popular book on the planet, (after the Bible), with more than 3 million books in 22 languages sold in 100 countries.
"We are proud that the tequila represents not only Jalisco, but Mexico internationally, and therefore, as an extension to the celebrations of the National Day of Tequila, this Sunday we will send a message that transcends borders in the tourist promotion of our state," the Tourism Secretary said.
He specified that, if the participation of at least 1,200 tequila lovers is certified, Jalisco will break the aforementioned record, a recognition that will be endorsed by the Official Adjudicator of Guinness World Records, whose attendance at the event has been confirmed.
To participate in the tasting it is necessary to register through the event's official website. On the day of the event, 15 windows will be opened for the registration of attendees, who must present official identification (INE) and the email received after registering online.
According to Ralis Cumplido, Tequila Master Jaime Diaz Villalobos will lead the tasting of three labels of the spirit from special edition National Tequila Day Commemorative Bottles, which were created by the National Chamber of the Tequila Industry (CNIT).
The vice president of CNIT, Francisco Javier Soltero Jiménez, said "tequila is a versatile drink of great quality, which offers five classes and two categories to those who taste it. At this tasting, participants will have the opportunity to appreciate the characteristics of tequila, and learn a little more about the most consumed spirit in our country."
"Tequila is considered Mexico's ambassador to the world, along with Mariachi and Charrería; and Jalisco is the country's main producer of tequila, above Guanajuato, Michoacán, Nayarit and Tamaulipas, the only states within the Tequila Denomination of Origin," he added.