Best Tequila?

[chazwicke]

As a beer and scotch drinker I do not know that much about tequila and what are the better brands to look for. I enjoy the occasional margarita but since the college days have not really indulged in tequila tasting. I am stocking my bar at the new beach place and would like to only have top shelf brands in all the liquor I keep there. What is the best tequila out there? I know there are many brands avalable. What would you recommend in high end tequilas?

[MeridianFC]

My favorites, all factors considered:

El Tesoro and Herradura. Something to keep in mind with good tequila is there are going to be many occassions when you'll actually want the younger un-aged Silvers. I know, I know, being a beer drinker with an interest in Whiskey/Whisky, Cognac, etc. I tend to think in terms of aging in decades, but there an element of taste to good tequila that disappears as it ages. A really good silver, like El Tesoro, will have a peppery spiceness that the Reposado (rested) and Anjo (old) styles will not. For mixed drinks like margaritas I think it's essential, but it's also excellent for just sipping. It gives you the true taste of the agave plant.

That said the Reposados and Anjos will have some of the classic characterisitcs of other aged spirits.

One oddball in the world of Tequila is the Reserva de Familia Cuervo. Now if you're like me you realize that almost all Cuervo products, certainly their Silver and Gold, are utter and complete undrinkable vile crap. I don't even like their 1800 b.s. But they do make the 4 year old (for tequila that's very, very old) RdFC. It's utterly stupendous with a flavor unlike any other, with excellent depth and complexity. It's a real savoring drink. Be aware it usually retails for $80-100.

Owing to a supply/demand issue with the agave plant, the price of tequila is very high right now. There are several brands that are quite excellent (Chinaco, Patron, etc.) that are priced a bit above their worth IMHO.

If it was me I'd stock like this:

El Tesoro Silver (several bottles so you can make mixed drinks)
Herradura Reposado & Anejo*
Cuervo Reserva de Familia Cuervo

Final word of advice, if the bottle does not say "100% Agave" (sometimes "100% Blue Agave") do not buy it. Ok, the Sauza silver is not 100% agave but it makes ok margaritas, but that's really the exception that proves the rule.

*In the past, I'm not sure if this is still the case, Herradura paid their Jimadors (the folks that pick the plants) a living hourly wage as opposed to a by the pound rate. This had two benefits, 1. the workers are treated more fairly, 2. because they are not paid by weight they would cut the agave closer to the core which many believers leads to a smoother tequila.

[Stodbrew]

My favorite tequila, although I'm not sure of its availability in this country, is Perfidio. It is made in Puerto Vallarta in a very small distillery. In my opinion, it tastes more whiskey like than tequila. Regardless, it is delicious.

[Tweek]

you can get perfidio here. it is quite good I agree. I also like Patron, and while maybe not the best it is definately top shelf.

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by MeridianFC
My favorites, all factors considered:

El Tesoro and Herradura. Something to keep in mind with good tequila is there are going to be many occassions when you'll actually want the younger un-aged Silvers. I know, I know, being a beer drinker with an interest in Whiskey/Whisky, Cognac, etc. I tend to think in terms of aging in decades, but there an element of taste to good tequila that disappears as it ages. A really good silver, like El Tesoro, will have a peppery spiceness that the Reposado (rested) and Anjo (old) styles will not. For mixed drinks like margaritas I think it's essential, but it's also excellent for just sipping. It gives you the true taste of the agave plant.

That said the Reposados and Anjos will have some of the classic characterisitcs of other aged spirits.

One oddball in the world of Tequila is the Reserva de Familia Cuervo. Now if you're like me you realize that almost all Cuervo products, certainly their Silver and Gold, are utter and complete undrinkable vile crap. I don't even like their 1800 b.s. But they do make the 4 year old (for tequila that's very, very old) RdFC. It's utterly stupendous with a flavor unlike any other, with excellent depth and complexity. It's a real savoring drink. Be aware it usually retails for $80-100.

Owing to a supply/demand issue with the agave plant, the price of tequila is very high right now. There are several brands that are quite excellent (Chinaco, Patron, etc.) that are priced a bit above their worth IMHO.

If it was me I'd stock like this:

El Tesoro Silver (several bottles so you can make mixed drinks)
Herradura Reposado & Anejo*
Cuervo Reserva de Familia Cuervo

Final word of advice, if the bottle does not say "100% Agave" (sometimes "100% Blue Agave") do not buy it. Ok, the Sauza silver is not 100% agave but it makes ok margaritas, but that's really the exception that proves the rule.

*In the past, I'm not sure if this is still the case, Herradura paid their Jimadors (the folks that pick the plants) a living hourly wage as opposed to a by the pound rate. This had two benefits, 1. the workers are treated more fairly, 2. because they are not paid by weight they would cut the agave closer to the core which many believers leads to a smoother tequila.


I had read about the impending agave shortage and possible rise in prices about 2 years ago I think in an article maybe in the Washington Post or possible one of the many beer drinks papers I read. We also have a Mexican restraunt in Centreville that has a tequila bar. I may try all three before I buy. Thanks for the info and recommendations.

[MeridianFC]

That's a great idea. Red Sage downtown also has a pretty large number of tequilas (as well as dynamite margaritas).

Try drinking all three classes (Silver, Reposado, Anejo) to get the feel for what you like best. If you're a whiskey/whisky drinker you'll probably lean toward the Anejo, but really do some experimenting with the Silver. If you have a taste for good Eau d'
Vie, Grappa, etc. you'll be well pleased I'm sure. I have a couple of books on tequila but I can't remember the titles (hmmm....) right now. I'll post 'em when I get home.

100% agave or bust.

[hopjack13]

i can't beleive nobody has recommended Patron! Patron hands down ! the best to-kill-ya i've ever tried, runs around $90-$120 a bottle i think. also a trendy brand out here is cabo wabo. it's pretty good i thought, but don't remember too much after that.
i think it goes for around $70 a bottle????

[hopjack13]

ooops, someone did throw patron in there :rolleyes:

[MeridianFC]

Patron is excellent, it's just not worth a C Note a bottle.

[Fast_Eddy]

My hands down fav is Don Julio Anejo.

[skahtboi]

Originally posted by MeridianFC
Patron is excellent, it's just not worth a C Note a bottle.

What???? I get Patron Anejo all day long for sixty bucks a bottle!

[hopjack13]

well you guys sure know your to-kill-ya ,
i try to stay away from that stuff, it makes me kinda crazy.
last time i ended up on top of an electrical tower to get better reception on my cell phone......
i had to call some one to come pick me up and they had a hell of a time finding me, finally they heard me singing some song by the insane clown posse, looked up and there i was :rolleyes:

[chazwicke]

Thanks for all of the good info guys. And Hopjack, I recommend you stick to beer. :D

[SeaPA]

I'll echo the vote for Herradura Anejo, my personal favorite. I also enjoy Hussongs, similar in price and taste to Herradura. Note that these are "sipping" type tequillas, not "dump in a blender with margarita mix" tequillas. Don't waste the good stuff in margaritas, kinda like you wouldn't use Crown to make up a batch of Whiskey sours.

I also agree that Patron is good but not worth the price. I'm lucky to live in an agricultural area, the local liqour store has a great selection of tequillas to cater to the migrant crews.

[chazwicke]

Thanks again for all the recommendations. I will go sample a few of them at Red Rocks a local Mexican food restraunt that has a tequila bar. I intend to stock one to mix margueritas with and one or two for sipping. (I'm worried that I am regressing to my college days )

[chazwicke]

Now how about a good margarita recipe?

[hopjack13]

Originally posted by chazwicke
Hopjack, I recommend you stick to beer.

Agreed! ;)

[MeridianFC]

Originally posted by chazwicke
Now how about a good margarita recipe?

It really is simplicity but it will take some time to find the exact proportions that give you the taste you seek. I usually never measure anything I just keep adding till it tastes right but here are some general guidelines.

ingredients:

ripe limes, appx. 3-4/drink depending on size of fruit
simple syrup (regular sugar doesn't disolve quickly or thoroughly enough)
Cointreau*
Tequila (El Tesoro Silver is my preference)
crushed ice

I find a large restaurant size (1 gal.) glass pickle jar to be best for making up the mix, but any large glass container will do.

1. I use a reamer to get the juice from the lime because I don't mind the pulp, but you can get the juice from the limes however you prefer. You want about 3-4 limes per drink.

2. Add about a tablespoon of simple syrup per drink to the lime juice to start with and shake the hell out of it. Taste. I always have to keep adding syrup and you probably will too. You want a mix that, well, is sweet and sour, but not too sweet (the Cointreau will bring some sweetness). I wish there were some hard and fast rules but it depends on the limes.

3. When you've got an acceptable mix (ever so slightly more sour than sweet) add 1/2 oz of Cointreau per drink. Shake the hell out of the mix again. Taste. It should be perfectly balanced between sweet and sour with the barest, barest background of orange from the Cointreau.

4. For one drink, in a shaker chuck in the crushed ice, 1.5oz of tequila (or more if you're feeling a bit daffy) and 3oz of your lime mix. Shake and strain into your glass. I don't use salt but do whatever floats your boat. Maybe place a lime wedge on the glass to look fancy. Obviously you will adjust the proportions up and down to find what you like. I really only ever eyeball it so I'm hoping my measurements are correct.

If you find your mix is missing a little something, it's usually because the limes are substandard (it's really hard to get good limes). You can cheat and add some Rose's lime juice to your mix which will add flavor & sweetness.

K.

*You can use Triple Sec or Grand Marnier though I find GM too heavy

[shaken]

I, too, am a big fan of tequila, however, it is not a fan of me.

I really enjoy the flavor and aroma, soooo....
About 8 years ago, I got 5 lbs. of agava nectar and added it
to a 7 gal. boil of a pilot batch of Maerzen, just for S&G's.
It took forever to ferment out, but the flavor was subtle,
and the aroma was there. Not like a tequila but definitely has some makings of other possibilities.

[chazwicke]

I found a very informative and excellent site on the subject.

http://www.ianchadwick.com/tequila/index.html


I learned a ton from it.

[skahtboi]

Originally posted by chazwicke
Now how about a good margarita recipe?

I, too, will tell you to play around with the recipe til you make it match your taste. I use:

Rose's Lime Juice
Simple sauce
Sour sauce
Patron Anejo
Triple Sec

Fill a shaker with crushed ice, add two jiggers lime, simple and sour, three tequila and triple sec. Shake until well blended. Serve in a salted margarita glass.

Simple yet tasty.

[SeaPA]

Here's a simple, but good, recipe for frozen (tho I prefer on the rocks):

1. 1 small can Welch's Lime-aid concentrate (dump into blender)
2. Fill can with Triple Sec, dump into blender
3. Fill can with tequilla, dump into blender
4. Repeat step 3
5. If you like 'em strong, repeat step 4
6. Fill blender with crushed ice
7. Blend
8. Serve in salt-rimmed glass

[chazwicke]

Just an update. I have been trying different tequilas based on some of the recommendations on the board. I tried the
El Tesoro Platinum, Herradura Reposado & Hussongs Reposado along with a few others. I can say that I definitely prefer the reposado to the silver. I have not yet ventured to the anejos yet although I did purchase a bottle. This is an interesting journey. I have also managed to shed 12 1/2 lbs by staying away from carbs. (This is primarily why I am trying tequila and not indulging in my primary love - beer - right now. ) I'll be vacationing for the next week or so and I do intend to drink beer while on vacation but I also intend to pursue some more tequilas.