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Tequila Blanco
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Montezuma’s Legacy-
Best Premium Blanco Tequila - 2012
There are well over 1000 different tequilas currently being produced in Mexico. Since our last tasting, tequila’s popularity has exploded with new brands.
TheFiftyBest.com held a private tasting with 17 people experiencing 26 blancos. All tequilas were 100% blue agave. The tasters included spirits journalists, bartenders, chefs, restaurateurs and tequila aficionados.
Tasting Method: Strict tasting rules were applied. The order of service was established beforehand by lottery. The blanco tequilas were served "blind". Each were poured into fresh glasses from new sealed bottles, and served at slightly above room temperature. Only ice water and neutral unflavored bar snacks were available to cleanse the palate. The judges tasted through 3 flights of 7 tequilas plus 1 flight of 6 tequilas; with food served during a rest period after the second flight.
Impressions of each individual product were written down by the judges on score sheets. The scoring was done on a 5-point system, with 5 as the best. Double-Gold, Gold and Silver medals are awarded based on a set range of final point scores received from the judges.
The tasting notes are summaries of the judges’ opinions. Prices quoted are for 750ml sizes (or when otherwise indicated). Prices may vary by state and do not include sales tax.
History: 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.
 How Tequila is Made: 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 8 to 10 years for a blue agave plant to reach maturity. 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, and also Guanajuato. 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. All Tequila is mezcal, but not all Mezcal is Tequila.
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. Sugar is never added to the fermentation of 100% blue agave tequilas. If it doesn't say 100% agave, it can still be called “tequila”, but it’s considered a “mixto”.
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). The end product must be - make that should be - at least 51% derived from that plant, although most bottles will be labeled 100%.
Types of Tequila: Tequila can be White/Silver/Plata/Blanco (86% of the Mexican market) that is colorless, with little aging and a great choice for mixed drinks. All tequilas start as Blanco, with portions set aside for aging. Gold/Joven is un-aged Tequila to which select cane sugar or caramels have been added for that tawny color you occasionally see (mixtos). 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. Añejo must have at least one year in wood (often more than the minimum). There’s also a newer classification of extra-añejo, which are aged for more than 3 years. It is proper to order an Añejo straight up, and sip it slowly so it can best be enjoyed.
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. Examine the bottle's label for it. In general, 100% agave means better quality, flavour, taste & purity, with no additives. In 1995, 100% agave represented only 15% of the entire production of tequilas. Today, 100% agave tequilas represent more than 50% of the total production. So you can see were the trend is going.
The Art of Tasting Tequila: 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 to judge the products properly.
TASTING RESULTS (Blanco/ Plata/Silver):
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DOUBLE-GOLD MEDAL WINNERS:
1. Corzo - $40
Nose: Orchard fruit salad, fresh fruit, mixed green vegetables, herbal, fresh cut grass, fresh floral, sweet caramel. Palate: Light spice, spicy, nuts, licorice, pine, herbal, menthol, lemon, sweet fruit salad, cream soda, café au lait, nougat, caramel, rich layers, soft, full bodied. Finish: Creamy, spicy toffee, warm peppery, nice, clean, smooth.
Double Gold Medal
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2. Two-Way Tie -
Crótalo - $40
Nose: Green vegetal, fresh floral, herbal, mint, papaya, fruity, smoky. Palate: Lemon, citrus, fruit, pear, honey, creamy vanilla, sweet cream, grassy, earthy, peppery, light pepper, smoke, smooth, silky layers. Finish: Smoky, leather character, earthy, minty, anise, pepper, nice, clean, crisp, refined, long.
Double Gold Medal
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Tres Agaves - $28
Nose: Eucalyptus, mint, grassy, agave, toffee, fresh fruit, berries. Palate: Powerful spice, pepper, jalapeño, roasted pepper, nutty, taragon, cinnamon, earthy agave, mint, berries, pear, buckwheat, buckwheat honey, butter, burnt sugar, marshmallow, light bodied. Finish: Peppercorn, pepper, jalapeño heat, earthy agave, dry, clean, crisp, bright, smooth, lingering.
Double Gold Medal
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3. Milagro Single Barrel Select - $40
Nose: Rosewood, vanilla, honey, fruity, floral, mild agave, subtle. Palate: Creamy notes, sweet cream, vanilla, caramel, white toffee, marshmallow, peach, berry, grassy, nutty, anise, agave, nuanced. Finish: A touch sweet, vanilla cream, sweet toffee, sweet anise, clean, smooth, gentle, great.
Double Gold Medal
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4. Four-Way Tie -
Don Alvaro - $50
Nose: Toast, cotton candy, creamy vanilla, apple, fruit blossom, rosewater, rich. Palate: Mint, peppermint, fresh-cut grassy, herbaceous, fig, candied fruits, dried fruits, sweet honey, cream soda, spice, oily, full bodied. Finish: Toast, minty, spicy, smooth, light, balanced.
Double Gold Medal
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Herradura - $40
Ultra slow filtration.
Nose: Cola, licorice, cinnamon, poached apple, pear, grassy, light smoke. Palate: Cinnamon, floral, pear, cream soda, pepper, peppercorn, spearmint, herbs, licorice, anise, fennel, earthy, smoky, agave, clean. Finish: Pineapple, vanilla, sweet, lightly toasted, herbs, peppercorns, spicy, clean, smooth.
Double Gold Medal
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Paqui - $45
Nose: Nougat, buttered rum, floral, fresh cut fruits, mild agave. Palate: Vegetal, heavy pepper, olives, spice, citrus, cherry, dates, nougat, honey, toffee, herbal, fennel, juniper, Fee Bros. Bitters, pleasant. Finish: Pepper notes that drop off quickly, spiced Christmas candle, balanced, very clean, smooth, silky.
Double Gold Medal
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Riazul - $45
Nose: Cotton candy, sweet vanilla, caramel, mint, berries, earthy, light herbal, spicy. Palate: Cotton candy, cream soda, carrot cake, caramel, creamy, tropical flavors, melon, citrus, vegetal notes, green vegetables, green olive, oaky, rich. Finish: Grassy, hot pepper, anise, spicy, smoky, oily, smooth, soft.
Double Gold Medal
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GOLD MEDAL WINNERS:
El Mayor - $40
Nose: Vanilla, honey, nougat, jalapeño, agave, light oily, woodsy character. Palate: Vanilla, caramel, cream, sweet, toffee, dates, green bell pepper, peppery, citrus, spice, herbs, soft floral, grassy, pine, smoky elements. Finish: Citrus, fresh, dry, smooth, spicy, earthy, briny, light oily, nice, long.
Gold Medal
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Baluarte - $45
Nose: Subtle citrus, baked pear, agave, cream soda, caramel, honey, peppery. Palate: Citrusy, lemon, mint, spearmint, menthol, licorice, anise, Ouzo, creamy, caramel, tropical flowers, dates, grassy, slightly spicy, peppery, woodsy notes, clean. Finish: Peppery, burnt sugar, oily, clean, crisp, dry, soft, smooth, lingering.
Gold Medal
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Dulce Vida - $40
100 proof
Nose: Fire-roasted peppers, grass, floral, light herbal, sandalwood, vinegar, toasted notes. Palate: Creamy vanilla, cinnamon, nutty, nougat, minty, anise, pepper, herbal, peat, earthy, oily.. Finish: Spicy, hot pepper, anise, fennel, almost woodsy, menthol, wet stone, aggressive, dry, clean, crisp, lingering, has a kick.
Gold Medal
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Luna Nueva - $40
Nose: Smoky bacon, roasted pepper, herbal. Palate: Herbaceous, spicy, cinnamon, creamy vanilla, toffee, caramel, anise, soft. Finish: Caramel, light pepper, spicy, earthy, smoky, creamy, sweet, soft, smooth.
Gold Medal
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Alma de Agave - $30
Nose: Lemon, 7up soda, fruity, earthy, agave, light. Palate: Herbal, lemon, peppercorns, sandalwood, spicy, buckwheat honey, creamy vanilla, creamy, oily, rich body. Finish: Sandalwood, baked apple pie, fruity, spearmint, peppery, crisp, smooth, easy.
Gold Medal
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Kirkland - $22 - 1.75ml
Nose: Herbaceous, agave, grassy, coriander, dried herbs, herbal, anise, popcorn buttery. Palate: Spicy, hot jalapeño, peppercorn, buttery caramel, toffee, creamy vanilla, creamy, smooth. Finish: Bourbon barrel notes, woody, light spice, spicy, peppery, sweet, crisp, smooth.
Gold Medal
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Puro Verde - $30
Organic
Nose: Spearmint, citrus, orange blossom, lemon grass, cinnamon, nutmeg, toffee. Palate: Cola, coffee, mocha, peppercorns, woodsy notes, smoky, oily, vegetal, herbaceous, rose, pineapple, fruity, citrusy. Finish: Cola, nutty, peppercorns, earthy agave, sweet, crisp, smooth.
Gold Medal
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Corazón - $30
Nose: Cherry, mango, banana, cake batter, floral, agave, wood, vanilla, creamy. Palate: Berries, citrus, papaya, fruit, cinnamon, touch of tobacco, creamy, smooth, crisp, pleasant. Finish: Tobacco, cigar, sandalwood, cloves, spice, clean, soft, smooth.
Gold Medal
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El Jimador - $25
Nose: Faint pineapple, melon, papaya, light citrus blossom, lemon pepper, wet grass, mineral, wet stone. Palate: Dried fruit, rosewood, mint, anise, fennel, taragon, grassy, soft light citrus, pepper, roasted pepper, mineral oil, woody, rich. Finish: Pepper, woody, earthy, crisp, dry, acidic, soft, oily, smooth.
Gold Medal
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SILVER MEDAL WINNERS:
Amate - $40
Nose: Mint, green pepper, smoky agave, light agave, sandalwood. Palate: Herbaceous, floral, herbal, spiced fruit, spice, jalapeño, smoky, creamy, light. Finish: Mint, cinnamon, spicy, pepper, a touch tannic, sweet, rich, clean, crisp, gentle, awesome.
Silver Medal
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Ambhar - $40
Nose: Earthy, agave, floral, citrus, vanilla, minty. Palate: Bell pepper, fruity, berries, honeysuckle, sweet caramel, hibiscus, tarragon, earthy, anise, angostura bitters. Finish: Adobo chiles, spice, oily, clean, dry, crisp.
Silver Medal
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El Sagrado - $25
Nose: Citrus, caramel, buttery, sandalwood, woody. Palate: Layers of caramel, tobacco, peppercorn, spice rack, citrus, olives, herbal, licorice. Finish: Spicy notes, jalapeño, sweet, soft, smooth, harsh, bright.
Silver Medal
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7 Leguas - $40
Nose: Herbaceous, herbal, sour cherries, fruity, minerally, licorice, oaky. Palate: Spices, herbal, grassy, dried fruits, smoky, fennel, mineral oil, peat, creamy. Finish: Pepper, bit spicy, tobacco, smoke, smooth, fresh, light.
Silver Medal
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Chamucos - $42
Nose: Vegetal notes, citrus, orange, wet stone, oily, woody. Palate: Tropical flowers, citron, apricots, melon, honey cream, cinnamon, almonds, toasted nut, woodsy notes, mineral oil, peppery, rich, oily, sweet, creamy. Finish: Anise, jalapeño, spicy, buttery, dry, smooth.
Silver Medal
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El Decreto - $45
Nose: Herbaceous, woodsy, light floral, pure agave, vanilla, perfumy, slight cola, sweet. Palate: Floral, minty, honey, vanilla, pear, pine tree, grassy, pepper, cinnamon, spicy, earthy, gentle agave, light toast, wet stone, sweet. Finish: Slight pepper, spicy, dry, crisp, complex.
Silver Medal
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Kah - $45
Nose: Anise, licorice, spearmint, juniper, light fruity, peppery. Palate: Sweet mint, honey, fig, praline, vegetal, caramelized onions, woody cream, oily, earthy, herbal, spice, fennel, sandalwood, soft. Finish: Rich layers, caramel, fruit, clean, smooth, easy, gentle.
Silver Medal
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Cazadores - $30
Nose: Cream soda, vanilla, floral, grassy, woody. Palate: Heavy mint, jalapeño, spicy, dried herbs, wet stone, fruity, overly citrus, sweet cream. Finish: Citrus, light, peppery, minerals, oily, dry, crisp, spicy bite, rich, smooth, long.
Silver Medal
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Agave 99 - $40
99 Proof
Nose: Vegetal notes, grassy, grapefruit, lime, anise, vanilla, peppercorn, woodsy. Palate: Vegetal, green olive, ginger, spicy, oily, wet stone, mineral oil. Finish: Honey, caramel, hot pepper, agave, spicy, woody, dry, oily, rich, full.
Silver Medal
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If you are not of legal drinking age, please exit by clicking here.
Please drink responsibly!
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