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Fifty Best Tequila |
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Tequila- Montezuma’s Legacy
Like Mexican culture itself, Tequila is the result of a creative encounter between two worlds although it is likely that Mexicans would not be inclined to refer to it as creative as much as confrontational, an imposition and, reluctantly, a conquering. The ancient indigenous peoples of this romantic country drank the fermented juice of the agave in the same way that Europeans drank beer or wine. In colonial times, the Spanish came, they saw, and they introduced the distillation process to obtain the liquor now known as Tequila. It may be referred to in some circles as Montezuma's Legacy, but the fact of the matter is that it was crafted and refined by the Spanish who, while spreading their culture, were intent upon maintaining their love of intemperance and serious drinking.
 Tequila is a spirit made by fermenting and distilling the juice of the blue agave plant. It is grown in an officially delimited region of west-central Mexico, including the town of Tequila, in the state of Jalisco, located between Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta. The end product must be - make that should be - at least 51% derived from that plant, although most bottles will be labeled 100%. The blue agave, contrary to what many are led to believe, is not part of the cactus family so stop looking around the deserts of Arizona to impress those traveling with you. Mezcal, interestingly enough, is the Aztec word for the agave plant but it is not a Tequila, although Mezcal comes from the agave plant it is from outside the delimited area. Sometimes it is bottled with a worm, and for the pedestrian enjoyment of a cocktail before, or during, dinner, this is not the most appealing vision one could hope for. Ignore it.
By way of comparison and analogy, think of Cognac produced in a specified geographic area of France and French brandy produced outside that area. Hence all Tequila is mescal, but not all Mezcal is Tequila. If that is confusing to any degree, no need to store it in some memory bank or even refer to it when enjoying Tequila. Just enjoy.
 On the other hand, if you are getting ready for that next tasting party at your home or simply are desirous of furthering your education about Tequila, know that it takes eight to 10 years for a blue agave plant to reach maturity. The juice-filled cores are then harvested, trimmed, cut in quarters, baked in steam ovens until their starch converts to sugar, at which point they are pumped into fermentation tanks and combined with cane sugar and yeast. So much for the calorie count. The more sugar that is added (up to 49% of the mixture) the less pungent the Tequila will be. All Tequilas are double distilled in pot stills (a few utilize a triple distillation, and several use a continuous still), and the second distillation converts the liquor into clean, white high-proof spirit. This Tequila is filtered and its alcohol strength adjusted with demineralized water that brings it to its bottling proof, (usually 80).
Tequila can be White/Silver/Plata/Blanco (86% of the Mexican market) that is colorless, with little aging. These are the base for all other Tequilas and a great choice for mixed drinks. Gold/Joven is un-aged Tequila to which select cane sugar or caramels have been added for that tawny color you occasionally see. They are also perfect for mixed drinks and tend to taste a little sweeter than Blanco. Reposado is aged in wood tanks or barrels for at least two months, but many average six months. Should you ask when ordering? Why not? If you know it, flaunt it. Añejo must have at least one year in wood (often more than the minimum). When you order this, it is proper that you sip it slowly and it can best be enjoyed as an after-dinner drink. Tequila labels usually bear the letters- NOM (Norma Official Mexicana) which are the initials of the Mexican government agency and serves as a quality seal. So examine the bottle's label for it.
John Poister, author of "The New American Bartender’s Guide", said "Tequila is pungent and fairly yeasty, it marries well with other spirits, liqueurs and fruity juices." I conducted a tasting of 25 Tequilas for this feature. The 25 participants included Tasters Guild NY members and Tequila representatives. Prices given below are full mark-up and may vary, as you are likely to find when purchasing. The numbered order does not indicate preference. Comments reflect the participants' impressions, as well as my own.
THE TASTING - if you wish to have one of your own...
The Tequila Shake- Don’t swirl, place your hand over the mouth of the glass and shake the liquid to release its aroma. Drink at room temperature with water added to judge the products properly.
APERITIF
Montezuma Gold - $18. - Light golden color, Smokey, peppery, sharp & earthy.
FLIGHT 1 - BLANCO/PLATA/SILVER/WHITE
- Herradura Silver - $38. - Clear color, aged for 40 days; fresh, fruity flavor. Spearmint, sweet metallic finish.
- Tres Generaciones Plata - $46. - 100% blue Agave. Clean, tea bag, sweet wood polish, oily finish. - FAVORITE IN THIS FLIGHT.
- Hacienda del Cristero Blanco - $48. - 100% Agave, clean light color. Triple distilled. Floral, pineapple nose, peppery, fiery.
- Don Eduardo Silver - $38. - 100% Agave, triple distilled. Briny nose that changed to a sweet nose. Cinnamon, peppery, round, full in the mouth.
FLIGHT 2 - MEZCAL
- Monte Alban Mezcal - $25. - Caramel color, toast nose with a smoky finish.
- Talapa Mezcal Reposado - $23. - Caramel color using cane sugar. Smoky, sweet taste. - FAVORITE IN THIS FLIGHT.
FLIGHT 3 - REPOSADO
- El Jimador Reposado - $28. - Pale straw color. Three months in oak. Mellow finish with not much character.
- Reserva 1800 Reposado - $30. - Nine months in French & American oak barrels. Honey brown color. Chocolate nose, slightly sweet flavor.
- Cazadores Reposado - $33. - 100% blue Agave. Aged in Kentucky oak barrels. Light color. Mint taste and rather uninteresting.
- Corazon Reposado - $48. - Pale bronze color. Citrus, not sweet, soft, smooth, easy to drink with an herbal finish. - TIED FOR FAVORITE IN THIS FLIGHT.
- Patron Reposado - $50. - Six months in oak barrels. Lemony, dry and very Rum-like. - TIED FOR FAVORITE IN THIS FLIGHT.
- Gran Centenario Reposado - $50. - Light, slightly green golden color. Six months in French oak. Musty, earthy nose. Starts out sweet, but finishes dry, with tropical fruit flavors.
FLIGHT 4 - AÑEJO
- Corralejo Añejo - $55. - Light color, double distilled in copper stills. Forgettable.
- Reserva Antigua 1800 Añejo - $38. - 100% blue Agave with golden amber color. Soft, smooth, complex flavors of chocolate & honey.
- El Jimador Añejo - $45. - Not as much character as previously tasted Anejos, but ended lovely.
- Don Eduardo Añejo - $50. - 100% Agave, light color, aged in American Bourbon oak for two years. Complex, peppery and smooth.
- Tres Generaciones Añejo - $50. - 100% blue Agave; aged three years in oak barrels. Smooth and sweet on the nose and palate.
- Herradura Añejo - $50. - Deep amber color. Aged two years in oak barrels. Licorice, iodine, spicy, complex. For sipping like a Cognac or Brandy.
- Espolon Añejo - $52. - Dark amber color. Aged one year in white oak barrels. Vanilla & butterscotch. - TIED FOR FAVORITE IN THIS FLIGHT.
- Gran Centenario Añejo - $55. - Dark amber color. Minimum 18 months in small French oak casks. Spicy, earthy, mineral, vanilla.
- Cabo Wabo Añejo Milenio - $68. - Light color; One year in white oak barrels. A different, yet lovely funky nose. Subtle vanilla, caramel, honey. - THIRD FAVORITE IN THIS FLIGHT.
- Corazon Añejo - $75. - Dark amber color. Aged in American oak. Sweet, floral honeyed nose. Caramel and tea.
- Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia - $110. - 5 years in 50% French & 50% American oak. Toasty, butterscotch, vanilla, honey. A long finish that reminded me of brandy or Cognac. - TIED FOR FAVORITE IN THIS FLIGHT.
DESSERT
Agavero Tequila Liqueur - $30. - 100% blue Agave that is a blend of Reposado & Añejo. Aged in charred white oak barrels. Light color. Sweet & smooth. 64 proof.
Disclaimer: This section of the website is intended for visitors 21 years of age and older.
If you are not of legal drinking age, please exit by clicking here.
Please drink responsibly!
Comments or questions welcome, please e-mail to: Ron@TheFiftyBest.com
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Tue. August 31, 2010 4:22 PM - by: Mike Gee
You need to try Tequila 55 Anejo...at a retail cost of about 40 its gotta be one of the best Anejos out there right now...only available in certain states and online!
Tue. June 29, 2010 8:47 AM - by: Miguel Angel Batres
Did you tried Tequila Semental?, is the best Tequila that you can drink, is really smooth....
Fri. November 20, 2009 12:00 PM - by: Hilberto Partida
where is PARTIDA Tequila raided and info on it.
Sun. November 8, 2009 12:00 PM - by: Gary H
Give Don Julio 1942 a try
Sun. July 5, 2009 12:00 PM - by: Erika Martinez
I invite you to meet our brand TEQUILA CLASE AZUL, it comes in unique hand-crafted, hand-painted ceramic decanters. And in Plata, Reposado and Extra-añejo. This is an ultra premium tequila worth the search. www.tequilaspremium.com