[Vange]

I met his tequila last night and I can trully say, wow, it's fantastic. Hint of a scotch taste, but smooth and overall great. I really enjoed it. After having a few snifters of JC Reserva de la Familia, I had some CN Anejo (probably in an effort to save the JC RF for anotehr time, I did have to be at work today). I can honestly say, they don't even compare. Here in NJ I can get CN Anejo for $73 and JC RF for $70. I'd much rather have JC Reserva de la Familia over the CN. This isn't saying I don't like CN, I do like CN. If I had to rate JC RF from 1-10, it gets a 9 while I would give CN probably a 7.5.

Just thought I would share my experience with JC RF last night with you guys and to see if you are as impressed with this tequila as I was last night and will be for awhile.

[ashman5]

I whole heartedly agree. To me there is NO comparison. I love CN, especially the Anejo, but the Reserva is on another level.

Reserva is completely drinkable, and likeable by people that don't like tequila.

[reifer]

Me three!
Guess you know how I feel about the comparisons.
I find myself drinking more Reserva de Familia all the time. I have been in a funk about losing Porfidio Single Barrel Anejo for some time but, really believe that Reserva will be more then able to take it's place once I run out of my stash.
And your pricing in the US is a terrific bargain! Impossible for me to find it that cheap anywhere in Mexico.
I was in San Diego last weekend and took my hosts to their local Costco in La Jolla and there it was for $69.95 US. They bought a couple and I even imported one back to Vallarta. At that price, I don't know what else I would ever drink.
BTW, I also agree that it is a great intro for newbies who think that tequila is Cuervo Gold. If they don't like Reserva, save yourself the trouble, they won't like anything.
By the way, the Costco there also had Don Julio Real for a decent price--$285. Still a lot of money but better then most. They also have a new leather-like box. The old metal container is apparently gone.

[lirubis]

I find JC Reserva to be a great product and one of the few drinkable Cuervo tequilas. The difference I find between Casa Noble and JCR is that CN has a complex aroma with a lot of agave and other notes mixed in there, very much maintaining its tequila characteristics and it has less wood characteristics thank JCR(Although you do have the vanilla, chocolate and coffee bean, from the white oak that are well balanced with the other notes and make it an outstanding tequila), JCR is more towards the wood characteristic and less agave with an excellent body and color also an outstanding spirit. Both in their own way are excellent products in my opinion…

Now my favorite tequila to drink is white so I do like those strong agave notes in all my tequilas even anejos.

I usually go to the annual party at La Rojena when they do the presentation of the JCR, they do an impressive show you feel you are in the Disney of Tequila.

[Mossy]

I also recently discovered Reserva and it quickly became one of my favorites.

As far as "ultra" anejos go, I may have to give the slightest edge to the 4-year Tonala Reserva Suprema. They are quite similar, but the Tonala manages to retain a bit more agave character, substituting some of the wood for a pleasant spice/cinnamon aroma. The Cuervo may have a slight edge in smoothness, IMHO.

It's also available at some Costcos, definitely worth checking out.

If I could consistenly get Reserva de Familia for $70, I'd probably always have a bottle on hand. Most liquor stores in my area have it for $90, so I'm gonna nurse the two bottles I have. As of now, its a Friday evening-only thing!

[reifer]

lirubis, on Dec 15 2004, 12:47 PM, said:

I usually go to the annual party at La Rojena when they do the presentation of the JCR, they do an impressive show you feel you are in the Disney of Tequila.

I think that your description is just right.
Seems to me that there are two major groupings of tequila characteristics and both of these occupy one of them.
The JCR (thanks for the acronym!) is in the category that I prefer more smoothe, even sweet, with almost carmel. I am sure it is a function of the oak. It reminds me of the Porfidio single barrel and I think that where Martin really shined was in his aging in oak.
The other category that gives more true agave flavor and bouquet can also be very good. Others in this category, in my view, that are very good are the El Tesoro anejos, Don Julio 1942, etc. I can understand why people who drink more blanco would like them better.
Interesting, I heard a Don Julio rep. talk about how with 1942 they had figured out how to age for a longer period without picking up so much oak? Not sure what that means or why they would want to do it but, it seems to be true that there is less oak and more of the agave characteristic.

So how do you get invited to the Cuervo's annual party at La Rojena? I've heard that it is great!

[Vange]

I was going to savor my JCRF because I bought the bottle online for $86. After finding it recently in a liquor store very close to where I work for $70, I figure it can become a common staple of mine. (as long as this liquor store can keep it in inventory)

Another bargain near me was El Tesoro Anejo. (in the new squarish bottle) I was getting them atr $37 a bottle! Unfortuntly, after buying all 3 remaining bottles from the sehlf they haven't restocked since and when Iasked them what the deal was and if they would get more, they said their distributir stopped carrying it. :( Oh well. JCRF it is!!

I'll tell you reifer, I am shocked that Mexicos prices for tequila aren't better. When I was in Mexico last summer, I saw bottles of 1942 for $150-$170. Then I stumbled across a bottle for $120 (in Mexico still)thinking that was an awesome deal, I bought it. I then realized I could get it for $100-$110 here in the US. Granted, it's only $10, but I made an assumption and was wrong. I did find Johnnie Walker Blue Label for $120 in Mexcico, where the cheapest I can get it here is $160. Very odd!


Mossy. as for the Tonala Reserva Suprema, does it look the same as the Tonala Anejo ceramic bottle as pictured here? I haven't actually seen a picture of the 4 year Reserva of Tonala. If you have an image that would be most useful for me in finding it if I stumble across it.

https://67.85.218.22...f1bc051fc09f852
56f4000630bac/f6c0a436f956b5d185256f6300679f3e/$FILE/tonala.jpg

[Vange]

I hope to add 4 more stories for my 4 remaining unopened tequila bottles soon. I hope they are all as exquisite as JCRF is.

Don Julio Real (got it for $310)

PuraSangre Special Edition ($150)

Porfidio Singe Barrel ($130) This is the one I asked about in a different thread.

El Tesoro Paradiso

[Vange]

Tonala link again

http://www.missionli...57&BACK=A0004A1

[reifer]

Mossy, on Dec 15 2004, 02:04 PM, said:

As far as "ultra" anejos go, I may have to give the slightest edge to the 4-year Tonala Reserva Suprema.

Interesting. I have the original Tonala but, had not even heard that there was a Suprema!
Fabrica de Tequilas Finos is a beautiful brand new facility in Tequila town. They are virtually exclusively into selling outside Mexico. In fact when I visited I had to snivel to get them to even sell me at the distillery. I think they produce a very good product. A couple of their other brands that I have tasted are:
Don Camillo
Stallion
Los Azulejos Reposado which is excellent

I gotta go to work to see if I can get a sample of the Suprema

[reifer]

Evangelos, on Dec 15 2004, 02:24 PM, said:

I'll tell you reifer, I am shocked that Mexicos prices for tequila aren't better.

It is unbelievable. The only one I can think of that is a lot cheaper is Gran Centenario at least for now.
You can buy the anejo anywhere for under $30 and if you shop a bit as cheap as $19 US
They have two supers that are worth a look on your next trip to Mexico too.

[reifer]

Evangelos, on Dec 15 2004, 02:26 PM, said:

I hope to add 4 more stories for my 4 remaining unopened tequila bottles soon.  I hope they are all as exquisite as JCRF is.

Wow, what a lineup! I think they are all very good. I'll look forward to hearing what you think.

[reifer]

Evangelos, on Dec 15 2004, 02:28 PM, said:

Tonala link again

That's the old bottle with regular anejo but, Mark at http://www.pocotequila.com has a new picture of the new Suprema bottle

[Mossy]

Evangelos, on Dec 15 2004, 03:28 PM, said:

Tonala link again

http://www.missionli...57&BACK=A0004A1

E,

Thats a photo of Tonala's regular anejo.

Mark over at PocoTequila used my photo/information to construct a nice page for the Reserva Suprema:

http://pocotequila.c...alareserva.html

If you find a bottle of it, a word of caution: Remove the shot glasses from the recess ASAP! I left them in too long, and the "retention system" (scotch tape) released, allowing the glasses to fall on the floor, disintegrating into 10,000 shards (they were thin, cheesy numbers, not worth using)

[jag]

Evangelos, on Dec 15 2004, 12:24 PM, said:

Mossy. as for the Tonala Reserva Suprema, does it look the same as the Tonala Anejo ceramic bottle as pictured here?  I haven't actually seen a picture of the 4 year Reserva of Tonala.  If you have an image that would be most useful for me in finding it if I stumble across it.

Here's a picture of it on Poco Tequila: Tonala Suprema Reserva

[Vange]

Just checked out the link on Pocotequila. I can''t belive I missed that, unless it's a new posting.

Let me get this straight, there are 2 shot glasses INSIDE the bottle? Why would I want that version?

[jag]

Mossy, on Dec 15 2004, 12:46 PM, said:

If you find a bottle of it, a word of caution: Remove the shot glasses from the recess ASAP!

I actually got the bottle that doesn't have the shot glasses. For what it's worth, it looks just like that.

[Vange]

so, for an exyta $30 you get 2 shot glasses IN the bottle? I assume from the Mossy link I can get them out and I should immediately!

Maybe I'll just stick to the regular bottle!

[Mossy]

Evangelos, on Dec 15 2004, 04:16 PM, said:

so, for an exyta $30 you get 2 shot glasses IN the bottle?  I assume from the Mossy link I can get them out and I should immediately!

Maybe I'll just stick to the regular bottle!

Yeah, the bottle is recessed, with a "cave" blown into the bottom of the bottle. Thats where they place the two shot glasses.

If you can find a cheaper bottle without the glasses, I'd definitely recommend going with that.

But the bottle my wife got cost only $55 at Costco.. Cant imagine the regular bottle would go for much less than that.

[Mossy]

jag, on Dec 15 2004, 03:53 PM, said:

Mossy, on Dec 15 2004, 12:46 PM, said:

If you find a bottle of it, a word of caution: Remove the shot glasses from the recess ASAP!

I actually got the bottle that doesn't have the shot glasses. For what it's worth, it looks just like that.

Have you tried it yet?

I dont think Ive met anyone who's sampled it yet, just curious as to others' perceptions...

[jag]

Mossy, on Dec 15, 2004 01:33 PM, said:

Have you tried it yet?

I dont think Ive met anyone who's sampled it yet, just curious as to others' perceptions...

I have tried it but it's been a while, so what I remember right now is that I liked it a bit better than the regular Tonala. I'll try both again soon and let you know.

[jag]

By the way, I had the JCRF two weeks ago and wasn't all that impressed by it. I'll have to try it again, I guess.

[lirubis]

reifer, on Dec 15 2004, 03:19 PM, said:

I think that your description is just right.
Seems to me that there are two major groupings of tequila characteristics and both of these occupy one of them.
The JCR (thanks for the acronym!) is in the category that I prefer more smoothe, even sweet, with almost carmel.  I am sure it is a function of the oak.  It reminds me of the Porfidio single barrel and I think that where Martin really shined was in his aging in oak.
The other category that gives more true agave flavor and bouquet can also be very good.  Others in this category, in my view, that are very good are the El Tesoro anejos, Don Julio 1942, etc.  I can understand why people who drink more blanco would like them better.
Interesting, I heard a Don Julio rep. talk about how with 1942 they had figured out how to age for a longer period without picking up so much oak?  Not sure what that means or why they would want to do it but, it seems to be true that there is less oak and more of the agave characteristic.

So how do you get invited to the Cuervo's annual party at La Rojena?  I've heard that it is great!

Here is what I know, to age a tequila longer without getting so much oak you can do one of two things: You use a very old and used barrel that has almost no tannins left or the best choice is you use a new barrel and set tequila there for a time according to what you want and then take it out, you again set a new batch of tequila in there and therefore you will get less tannins (less oak). The tequila you used first is distilled again since it is very bitter with all the tannins of a new barrel.

Preparing process of the barrels and the barrels you choose also has to do with how strong the tannins are. Finally the oxygenation and the filtering have also an influence on smoothness and wood notes.

I’ve known Juan Domingo for a few years now so I guess I got in the list one day and they keep sending me the invitation. They do a great show and they actually let you “bottle” one and they put your name in the label and you get to take it home.