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For Tequila Lovers

#281
I did a little more research on the Olmeca Altos last night after enjoying my first taste of it, and discovered that Olmeca also makes (a) a mixto under the "Olmeca" label, and (b) the super-premium Tezon brand. The interesting part is the difference between the Altos and Tezon: The juice in the latter comes entirely from an ancient stone-crushing process which many claim makes a superior tequila, whereas the Altos brand is a blend of this juice with juice that's been produced through more modern (and now more common) machine shredding.

I personally can't speak to the question of whether the old-fashioned stone-crushing process really makes for better tequila, but the Altos is good enough to make me wonder. I've been putting off trying the Tezon because of its hefty price tag, but now I'm thinking I might just have to bite the bullet to find out.
 
#282
Not sure if it's already been mentioned here, but another really good, reasonable priced tequila is El Ultimo Agave. The Reposado is incredible and only costs about $17 for a 750ml bottle.

ElUltimoAgaveall_zps5af527b7.gif
 
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#283
MJ5150 said:
I never quite got into tequila as I was hoping I would. I have a fresh bottle of Arrogante, which isn't all that bad, but I'm just not a sipping tequila kind of person.
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Oh, no -- say it ain't so, Mike! I thought we had you won ever. If I recall correctly, you even were zeroing in on a preference for blancos (like me). What happened?

Lemme suggest something: Wait a few months, and then give it another try on a nice warm (or even hot) summer day. Pour yourself a good blanco over a few ice cubes and find a nice spot to sit outdoors with it. Even I, as much of a tequila-head as I am, often switch to Scotch during the winter months. To me the blanco-on-ice is like a lemonade on a hot day, and not nearly as well suited for a dark, cold winter night.
 
#285
Lobster11 said:
Oh, no -- say it ain't so, Mike! I thought we had you won ever. If I recall correctly, you even were zeroing in on a preference for blancos (like me). What happened?

Lemme suggest something: Wait a few months, and then give it another try on a nice warm (or even hot) summer day. Pour yourself a good blanco over a few ice cubes and find a nice spot to sit outdoors with it. Even I, as much of a tequila-head as I am, often switch to Scotch during the winter months. To me the blanco-on-ice is like a lemonade on a hot day, and not nearly as well suited for a dark, cold winter night.
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Good memory you have. I did start focusing on blancos. I like those the best. Still, it just wasn't the same enjoying a glass of tequila for me in the evenings as something else.

I'm going to take your suggestion and give it a rest, then come back and try it with ice. I was always having it neat, room temp.

-Mike
 
#286
Lobster11 said:
I did a little more research on the Olmeca Altos last night after enjoying my first taste of it, and discovered that Olmeca also makes (a) a mixto under the "Olmeca" label, and (b) the super-premium Tezon brand. The interesting part is the difference between the Altos and Tezon: The juice in the latter comes entirely from an ancient stone-crushing process which many claim makes a superior tequila, whereas the Altos brand is a blend of this juice with juice that's been produced through more modern (and now more common) machine shredding.

I personally can't speak to the question of whether the old-fashioned stone-crushing process really makes for better tequila, but the Altos is good enough to make me wonder. I've been putting off trying the Tezon because of its hefty price tag, but now I'm thinking I might just have to bite the bullet to find out.
Click to expand...


So to recap:

Olmeca - mixto
Olmeca Altos - puro, part stone crushed agave
Tezon - puro, 100% stone crushed agave

I'll have to keep an eye out for the Altos. Looks like the Tezon goes for about $50, so the price tag ain't THAT bad.
 
#287
aborgman said:
So to recap:

Olmeca - mixto
Olmeca Altos - puro, part stone crushed agave
Tezon - puro, 100% stone crushed agave

I'll have to keep an eye out for the Altos. Looks like the Tezon goes for about $50, so the price tag ain't THAT bad.
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Exactly.

Agreed that 50 bucks isn't THAT bad, but the Altos was only $25, so.... Will the Tezon be twice as good? Prolly not, but I can't help but find out....
 
#288
MJ5150 said:
Good memory you have. I did start focusing on blancos. I like those the best. Still, it just wasn't the same enjoying a glass of tequila for me in the evenings as something else.

I'm going to take your suggestion and give it a rest, then come back and try it with ice. I was always having it neat, room temp.

-Mike
Click to expand...

Awesome. Meet back here in six months? :D
 
#289
I haven't read this whole thread.

My go to tequila is Espolon's 'reposado' type.

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It's not harsh, very sip-able. Has a nice smokyness to the flavor. Is low cost and is fairly widely available. There may not be a better reposado, for the money. In addtion to drinking it straight, it also works well as an Old Fashioned, with tequila. Or coupled with some dry vermouth.
 
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#293
Was surprised to find the Olmeca Altos plata at my local state store. Very tasty, and I'm usually an añejo guy.
I've never seen Tezon so it will probably have to wait for my next out-of-state foray.
Two flavors of Lunazul were available, but there was a $10 off sale on Doble so that got my money this trip (in addition to the Altos...)
 
#296
Espolon has an Anejo available now, in the U.S.

It's aged for a year in unused White Oak Barrels and is then transferred to what is called "Wild Turkey" Bourbon Barrels, for a 2-3 month hand finishing process. "Wild Turkey uses #4 alligator char barrels, meaning they have the heaviest deep-layer alligator char. "

for comparison, their standard reposado which many of us like, is aged 6 months in white oak Barrels, which may or may not be used.

Espolon-Anejo-Hi-Res-e1420176438551-525x690.jpg
 
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#297
Sad news in tequila land for National Tequila Day. For anyone who is a fan of the Corallejo family of fine tequilas, they stopped making those delightful little split bottles. Not only a fantastic tequila in the price range (find them, try them, you will love them), the little bottle held just a bit over four 1.5 ounce shots, leaving just a nip for the bartender. Great conversation starter, and social moment created by popping one of those suckers open at the bar. The reposado (pictured) is a personal fav for shooting/sipping, but still bold enough for mixing. Their Anejo is also excellent with a big, full pallet, tequila package. Great stuff.

So in honor of the beautifully crafted party-in-a-bottle Corallejo split, this evening we will say adios mi amigo to you with a double dose from one of your larger compadres.

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#299
I just found this thread. Lots of great information here.

Has anyone tried sotol? I had never heard of it until we vacationed in the Big Bend area of Texas last year. I think it's made somewhere close by over the border. I'm really enjoying Sotol Hacienda de Chihuahua Anejo. It's a little smokier and a little grassier than any tequila I have tried.

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