Bespoke Boots, Custom Hats and Original Grit Tequila Arrive at Hotel Granduca
Kemo Sabe hats are coming to Hotel Granduca.
By Jeff Gremillion
Hotel Granduca is bringing a little Aspen swagger — and some fabulous top-shelf tequila — to Houston.
The Uptown luxury hotel has expanded its relationship with Kemo Sabe, the iconic Western atelier, into a lineup of exclusive experiences built around custom hats and boots, private celebrations, corporate gatherings and a new cocktail program that puts trendy and tasty Original Grit Tequila behind the bar at Remi and Bar Remi. The collaboration gives Houston guests something they could previously only find in places like Aspen, Vail and Jackson Hole: trunk shows, custom boot bars and other immersive Kemo Sabe activations, all staged through the hotel.
Hotel Granduca says the programming will be available exclusively there. “Hotel Granduca and Kemo Sabe share a belief that the most memorable luxury experiences are rooted in exceptional hospitality, authentic craftsmanship and meaningful personal connections,” said Thomas Duncan, managing director of Transwestern Hospitality Group. “That common philosophy makes this a natural alignment and allows us to offer our guests an entirely new collection of bespoke experiences unlike anything else available in Houston.”
Wendy Kunkle, president and owner of Kemo Sabe, called the pairing an obvious one. “There has always been such a natural connection between Aspen and Houston, and we love the opportunity to bring more of the Kemo Sabe experience to a community that already knows and loves the brand,” she said. “Hotel Granduca gives us an incredible home for those experiences in Houston.”
Original Grit, the Western-inspired tequila tied to the brand, is now available exclusively at the hotel. Crafted in El Arenal, Jalisco, by the fifth-generation Partida family from 100 percent Blue Weber agave with no additives, it is poured in Blanco, Reposado and Añejo expressions. Guests can already find it in three house cocktails: the Kemo Sabe Margarita, with Original Grit Blanco, fresh lime, agave and cucumber bergamot foam; Crystal Frontier, a clarified mix of Reposado, apricot liqueur, pineapple and lime finished with brûléed orange; and Wrangler’s Reserve, a richer pour with Amaro Montenegro, turbinado, chocolate and walnut bitters and a smoked aromatic finish.
The partnership’s next moment is the Original Grit Tequila Experience on Thursday, Sept. 10, an intimate multi-course dinner by Executive Chef Maurizio Ferrarese with pairings for each expression. Tickets are $195 and on sale now. Hotel Granduca is at 1080 Uptown Park Blvd. Details and reservations are at granducahouston.com.
Original Grit tequila
Bar Remi at Hotel Granduca