Welcome to the top shelf
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This generation has a nose, taste and ingenuity to turn basic commodities into complex masterpieces. We have spear head the revolution of coffee, craft beer, food trucks - now on the menu Tequila.
This isn't your shots, shots, shots... tequila.
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We're talking about sipping and enjoying some fine spirits.
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Before we start, here's a few basics:
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1. Gold Tequila - Get their color from the caramel coloring added to the tequila before fermentation. Watch out for brands that don’t cite “100% agave”, as those brands have added coloring and sugar to obtain the gold color. Gold tequilas are not typically aged, and usually contain only about 51% agave tequila. Sometimes 100% agave gold tequila is made by combining silver tequila and an aged tequila, such as reposado or añejo. Since quality aged tequila has a gold hue, the addition of the coloring was a marketing tactic to improve one’s perspective of cheaper brands.
2. Silver Tequila- Silver tequila, sometimes referred to as blanco, is rarely aged more than a couple of weeks, making it the purest form of tequila. It is often considered the best type of tequila to use in mixed drinks, and is commonly seen in margaritas.
3. Reposado - Reposado means “rested” in Spanish, and reposados rest anywhere from two months to a year before they are bottled. Reposados take on the gold hue from the barrels in which they are aged. They are typically aged in oak or white oak barrels, and the type of barrel changes the flavor of each distillery’s tequila.
4. Añejo - Añejo tequilas are aged from one to three years, and are considered the best type of tequila for sipping because of their smoother flavor. Añejo means “vintage”, and they are darker than reposado tequilas.
5. Extra Añejo - Extra or ultra añejo tequilas are aged for over three years. This is a relatively new type of tequila, which got its official classification in 2005. This type of tequila is the most expensive, not only because the flavor is improved with age, but also because distilleries will only allow their best spirits to age for so long. Extra añejo tequila should be enjoyed, not shot or mixed.
ref: https://casablancamexican.com/understanding-differences-types-tequila/
Some good choices to get you started
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#1 Casamigo
Casamigos is a little surprising. Most celebrity endorsed products only have the name going for them. However, Casamigos is a very good product in its own right. Aged 8 months, it's got strong caramel flavors but not very strong vanilla. There isn't much smokiness, and there is some nice, tempered agave. Overall, I find it to be a great balance of flavors.
#2 Siete Leguas Anejo
My 2nd favorite tequila only surpassed by Don Julio 1942. But I can drink this without going broke!
#3 Cabo Wabo Reposado
A great buy for the money! By far the spiciest Reposado I’ve tasted, which adds to the complexity and enjoyment of the spirit. Very good to sip neat at room temperature and stands out well in a margarita. Nice thick, rich vanilla and oak and a nice lingering finish. I’ve been highly impressed with Cabo Wabo’s products, especially given their affordable price. Definitely recommend for any tequila fan!
#4 Avion Silver
Avion Silver Tequila has a nose of grapefruit zest with fruity heart of agave and mild white pepper. The entry is smooth with a palate of mild white pepper and raw agave heart. The finish is raw agave heart with hint of mint and anise. Avion Silver Tequila is 5 star tequila neat , but loses some of its allure mixed fading into the cocktail. Recommended.
#5 El Tesoro de Don Felipe Platinum
NeatPour, Muncher, & quetzal have all summed this tequila up perfectly. I paid $40 for this bottle and this could easily go for $60+. Nose and palate are a bright bouquet of fresh agave and garden vegetables. Fresh cut lettuce, chopped cabbage, jalapeno peppers and some pear and kiwi as well. A fantastic sipping tequila and makes the most flavorful margarita.
Don't be cheap
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Get your grown-up on, and treat yourself to a tier 1 tequila. You will be amazed the world of flavors once your palate adjusts and picks up favors you never expected.