Museum is Abuzz Over Rich Tequila
 Kathleen Miller - Associated Press
| | Tequila Ley CEO Fernando Altamirano said he was applying to the Guinness Book of Records claiming he has sold the most expensive bottle of liquor ever, following the sale of this gold and platinum bottle of Tequila Ley .925 that went for $225,000 on July 21, 2006. |
An intoxicating attraction has joined the Aztec calendar and the model Mayan Temple at the capital´s National Museum of Anthropology: gold- and platinum- cased bottles of tequila, the country´s most famous liquor.
The bottles, valued at over US$3,500 each, were donated Thursday to the museum by Tequila Ley .925, a top-shelf tequila, and five will be sold to fund building renovations.
Company CEO Fernando Altamirano applied earlier this year to the Guinness World Records, claiming that his sale of a US$225,000 bottle was the most expensive ever, but the claim has yet to be certified.
Altamirano said his tequila had a unique flavor that made it stand out from others, but would not reveal the secret.
"It´s part of the creative process used to make the tequila and generate its flavor," he said, as he unveiled the bottles with white gloves.
Tequila, made from the blue cactus-like agave plant native to Western Mexico, sells for as little US$10 a bottle.
In recent years its profile has risen dramatically, gaining fans worldwide.
Altamirano said he has one diamond-and-platinum bottle of tequila in his collection that he plans to auction at Sotheby´s or Christie´s in March. He promised to donate US$17,500 from that sale to the museum.
Thursday´s event also featured artwork by Alejandro Gómez, who designed the bottles.
The artist also donated five leather portfolios containing signed paintings to the museum for sale.
The museum´s director of patronage Ana Mondragon said the funds raised will be used to redesign the museum´s cafeteria and gallery on the Toltec civilization.
Alicia Cué, a regular visitor to the museum, said she was not surprised to see tequila make its debut among anthropology exhibits.
"It works, because tequila is part of our culture."
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