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This has been something that has been bugging me for awhile. I need to find a good tequila that is relatively decent but also cheap and practical. By practical, I mean something that comes in a bottle that you can stuff into a pack and not worry about the bottle breaking or leaking on you and allows you also easily sip straight from the bottle. Ideally, the bottle would be very simple in shape and have a screw cap. This would be employed primarily while sitting around a camp fire or in a river, so using glassware is not an option.
More importantly though, would be that the tequila is still enjoyable to sip, at least once you have had a couple, and also obviously needs to be a puro. It should also be a decent all around mixer, so this means it needs to be either a blanco or reposado. I would prefer to keep the cost under $20 a bottle, so that I don't feel bad if I lose the bottle, break it, or I offer it to friends and they mix it with their mountain dew or redbull.
So that all said, I have accumulated a few candidates and I thought I would offer my reviews. Taste is the most important criteria to be met, followed by cost, and then practicality. I should note that I can't pick up all those weird flavors most tasting notes list. Maybe it due to all the truck stop coffee I have drank. Whatever the case, I have tried to list my impressions as best as I can, so here goes.
Pueblo Viejo Blanco
NOM 1103
Bottle - Square bottle with screw cap.
Nose – Can't smell anything. Stick my nose as far into the glass as I can. Just barely pick up a faint smell of agave. Smells thin.
Taste – Kind of on the thin side. Some heat, a little alcohol. A bit more agave, of the highland, minerally type. Kind of a weak version of a cross between 7 Leguas and Espolon.
Finish – Not much there on flavor, some lingering burn. On the other hand, not chemical or rough, so it has that going for it.
Conclusions - Too tasteless for mixing, I would bet. Not much fun to sip, as there isn't much there. Doesn't make you wrinkle up your face in disgust though. Might be good for shooting, if you wanted to do such. The bottle is perfect for practicality.
El Ultimo Agave Blanco
NOM 1522
Bottle - Square faux hand blown looking bottle. Has one of those semi-synthetic corks like Los Abuelos uses. Top cap is pine painted blue. Overall, a nice natural/authentic looking bottle.
Nose – Not bad. Very robust, like 1921 but not quite as sweet. Very promising.
Taste – Not bad. Very full flavored. I get some cinnamon and clove. I would say it is a cross of Espolon and 1921, if you were to mix the two.
Finish – Not bad, but doesn't last real long. No new flavors come out. Little burn.
Conclusions - This is really quite decent, if it came with a screw cap, I wouldn't probably look any further. Will have to try out the reposado.
El Jimador Blanco
NOM 1119
Bottle - Tall, squarish bottle with screw cap.
Nose – Different. Definitely picking up green olive. Is this vermouth?
Taste – Well that is different. Is this tequila? This tastes like weak dry vermouth. I don't know how to describe it, other than I have gotten the same general notes with Heradurra and Partida blancos also. I suppose this must be the lowlands thing going on.
Finish – It has a finish, but not one I like. A bit hot too.
Conclusions - I have mixed with this before, and it definitely stands out in palomas and margs. I kind of like it for palomas, as it give them a dryer taste. Won't be getting it again though.
El Jimador Reposado
NOM 1119
Bottle - Same bottle as the blanco.
Nose – More mellow than the blanco. Sweeter but still a bit of olive.
Taste – Kind of astringent. Tastes more like standard tequila. Some burn.
Finish – A bit chemical. Not much fun. Some lingering burn.
Conclusion - Better than the blanco, better for shooting than JC gold, that's about it.
This last one I threw in here because the bottle was open and I wanted to compare it to the others at the same time. Hi-time is selling this for $22, so it slightly exceeds the criteria.
La Certeza Reposado
NOM 1513
Bottle - Weird, art-deco bottle with natural cork and plastic cap.
Nose – Absolutely love this. This is what a reposado should smell like. What I could call the quintessential nose for a reposado. It has that great musty cellar, damp, earthy, agave smell.
Taste – A bit disappointing, given the nose. A bit thin, not much taste, but what little is there isn't bad. Sweet. Very little burn. Tastes like too much water was added.
Finish – Smooth but very short.
Conclusions - Overall, the taste is just too weak. I could sit there and smell this all night long, but then tasting it just lets you down and ask yourself, "Why bother drinking something that tastes like it was watered way to far down?" Now if this came in a cask strength, me might be talking. I have tried the blanco in a bar out of a snifter, and it was decent from what I remember, and not as watery.
Overall Winner: EUA Blanco by more than a nose.
Runners Up: PV Blanco followed by LC Repo
Pass: EJ Blanco and Repo
Right now I am thinking of just poring the EUA into a empty bottle that has a screw cap. Still have a few more on the horizon to try though. Wine and Liquor Depot has Tres Mujeres blanco for just under $20. I have had their repo and liked it quite a bit. I also have a bottle of MuchOTE repo that I haven't tried yet. It's a bit over the price limit, but the bottle is perfect and I have heard good things about it.
If anyone else had any ideas of other brands I should try, please speak up. The criteria once again is:
Puro
Blanco or Reposado
Ideally under $20
Ideally has a screw cap
A good bottle for camping
New Ambhar website is live
Robert Rich
- 11-12-09 12:04 - 0 comments
Tequila Ambhar's brand new interactive website is up and running after countless months of development and tweaking. Along with all the information you could ask for about the ultra-premium spirit, the site features a store with many trendy and useful items, all bearing that trademark Ambhar logo. Check it out at http://www.ambhar.com
Tequila Don Patricio
Toronto members unite!
Vintage Casa Noble Bottles
Tequilaloco
- 11-05-09 16:52 - 14 comments
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Antiguo Tequila from Casa Herradura Arrives in the U.S.
Fuzzy Logic
- 11-04-09 12:15 - 0 comments
Originally developed in 1924 and served exclusively to family and friends of the manor at Mexico's Hacienda del Refugio, Antiguo tequila has never been sold in the U.S. - until now.
The super-premium brand was launched commercially in Mexico in 1995 to commemorate Casa Herradura's 125th anniversary (est. 1870) of producing the world's finest tequila, using the original formula that was kept a secret for almost a century.
Antiguo is crafted using only 100% pure agave to be a lighter bodied, exceptionally smooth and mellow spirit. Distilled at 80 proof, it has a suggested 750ml retail price of $24.99 to $29.99 here depending on the expression: Blanco, Reposado and Añejo, in handsome vintage-inspired bottles with Herradura's signature horseshoe motif.
Source and picture
The super-premium brand was launched commercially in Mexico in 1995 to commemorate Casa Herradura's 125th anniversary (est. 1870) of producing the world's finest tequila, using the original formula that was kept a secret for almost a century.
Antiguo is crafted using only 100% pure agave to be a lighter bodied, exceptionally smooth and mellow spirit. Distilled at 80 proof, it has a suggested 750ml retail price of $24.99 to $29.99 here depending on the expression: Blanco, Reposado and Añejo, in handsome vintage-inspired bottles with Herradura's signature horseshoe motif.
Source and picture
Penca specials have landed in SF
Tonga
- 11-02-09 19:26 - 2 comments
Ballard and I took a quick trip to Fresno and back to pick up the much anticipated Penca!
I need to get in touch with those forum members who have ordered Penca and are in the vicinity of SF.
Tim H. - 6
John W. - 4
JT - 4
PM or email
dave@youwillbecrushed.com
I also have Lippy's Berrueco, you're welcome anytime Lip...you'll find the cover charge more than reasonable.
I need to get in touch with those forum members who have ordered Penca and are in the vicinity of SF.
Tim H. - 6
John W. - 4
JT - 4
PM or email
dave@youwillbecrushed.com
I also have Lippy's Berrueco, you're welcome anytime Lip...you'll find the cover charge more than reasonable.
Tequila Ambhar available online
Robert Rich
- 11-02-09 15:32 - 0 comments
Tequila Ambhar is now available for purchase online via the popular 1-877-spirits.com website. Now, those outside Ambhar's current distribution area can taste the flavorful handmade spirit for themselves.
http://www.1-877-spi.../Ambhar-Tequila
http://www.1-877-spi.../Ambhar-Tequila
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