From being inducted into the Arizona Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame to producing an award-winning tequila, Roger and Alisa Clyne have been busy over the years. Now, they’re ready to celebrate the rebranding of Mexican Moonshine Tequila with the local community.
Please welcome to the stage, Canción Tequila.
How it all began
Roger Clyne, the singer/songwriter of Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers (formerly The Refreshments), along with his wife, Alisa, first started making their own tequila in a stone-lined pit, rigging up a still with supplies they gathered from a ranch barn.
“We did a small experimental batch in 2004,” said Alisa. “We did 1,000 bottles and sold them at our Mexican music festival in Rocky Point. It sold out that day.”
Eventually, they wanted to share their tequila with even more people, so in 2011, they approached a distillery located in the town of Tequila, Mexico. It only makes sense, right? Fabrica de Tequilas Finos, known for their sustainability practices and uncompromised quality, has been producing their private label, originally named Roger Clyne’s Mexican Moonshine Tequila, ever since.
“They were doing their own proprietary filtration and then went one step further,” said Alisa. “Those fusil oils, aldehydes, and ketones that are cleaned out in the multiple filtration process are leftover, right? What they do is filter it one more time and then turn it into clean, drinkable water for the town’s water table. Then later, they started a solar program in 2015, making the facility 40% solar, and then recently they started their second phase and it’s up to 85% solar. So, that’s been really wonderful and impressive.”
The rebranding
The decision to change the name of the ultra-premium tequilas was made to honor the quality of their spirit and dispel the confusion over the word “moonshine.” So, named after one of his songs co-penned by Tucson musician Andy Hersey, Roger Clyne’s Mexican Moonshine Tequila is now being rebranded as Canción — the Spanish word for “song.”
Prior to the rebrand, Canción won gold medals from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and became the Arizona Diamondbacks’ official tequila for the home team for three seasons. To this day, Canción is made with 100% Blue Agave from a group of private farms in the valleys of Jalisco, Mexico.
“The agave fields are in the valleys nearby and so the lowland agaves versus the highland agaves tend to have a little bit of a different personality,” said Alisa. “The lowland agave adds a little bit of a peppery — kind of quince, citrus personality — versus that sweeter finish you get from the agave found higher up on the mountain.”
Side note: (since we’re on the topic of landscapes and topography) did you know Roger Clyne’s former band, The Refreshments, wrote the theme song for King of the Hill? Let’s get back on track, though.
During the distillation process, Cancíon is distilled twice and then filtered three times — a procedure that’ll help you avoid a nasty headache the morning after. Also, the filtration process allows the charred bourbon barrel aging notes to pop when taking a sip of Cancíon’s Reposado, Añejo, and Extra Añejo.
Speaking of which, let’s get to the lineup of tequila.
The Canción family portfolio
Blanco
Crystal clear brilliance conspires with melon and citrus to subtly harmonize and create an alluring nose—floral agave with hints of quince and white pepper blend for a balanced encounter. The finish is smooth and enduring, leaving the palate with a warm and lustrous invitation to return. Learn more.
Reposado
Resting for 9 months in Bourbon barrels imparts a golden radiance with a viscous, buttery entry to the palate. A rhythmic balance of agave, hints of honey, and oak accents. It finishes with a smooth and smoldering crescendo. Learn more.
Añejo
Simple elegance begins with aging for 18 months in Bourbon barrels, heralding a full nose of smoky, woody notes. A silky entry to the palate finishes with a harmonious blend of sweet and dry tastes of agave, tobacco, and hints of vanilla. Perfect for sipping. Lingers with a long, silky glow. Learn more.
Extra Añejo
A celestial union of a premium bourbon barrel and agave spirit allowed it to rest and coalesce for over three years. Tequila’s legendary obsidian terroir meets American White Oak bourbon barrels’ heritage to conjure seamless notes of dry fruit, woody smoke, and hints of caramel butterscotch. The finish is an extravagant, refined experience of balance between sweet and dry in an alluring palate of agave at its best. Learn more.
Celebrate the rebranding with Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers
If you’d like to cheers to new beginnings with Roger and Alisa Clyne, the Rialto Theatre having a big show on Saturday, September 24. Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers take the stage with the support of Desert Fish and Sophia Rankin & The Sound.
Doors open at 7 p.m. and the live music starts at 8 p.m. You can get tickets now at rialtotheatre.com.
Where to buy a bottle of CancÍon
If you’d like to pick up a bottle you can always find their tequila at Total Wine and occasionally at Plaza Liquors at 2642 N. Campbell Ave. For more information, visit canciontequila.com.
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Article written by:
Matt Sterner
More about MattAt a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.
