And just as wineries have long heralded sustainability and estate vintages, many tequila fbricas are now replanting agaves to replace the plants they have harvested, and some are cultivating agaves exclusively from their own farms; both of these relatively new practices are precautions against a projected agave shortage in a few years, which is already causing prices to rise, all due to our insatiable thirst for Mexicos national spirit. There are four officially sanctioned styles of top shelf tequila authorized by the government agency CRT (Consejo Regulador del Tequila), which regulates the spirit: blanco, sometimes called silver or plata, it is bottled clear and unaged; reposado, barrel aged from two to 11 months, giving it a tannish hue; aejo, deeper in color and aged from one to three years; extra aejo, rich, brownish-golden tequilas that have been aged longer than three years. I love honey and vanilla. It is also definitely of high enough quality to not leave you with too mean of a hangover. 1942 is 100% Agave and from Jalisco, he says. This is my go-to celebration tequila but who needs a celebration these days to drink some liquid gold. Cracked the cap on Roca at the Cambria Hotel! . This brand is affiliated with country music star George Strait, but thats not why we love this tequila. This one is also great for those who like complex flavors, as it evokesfig, quince, date, pineapple, and pumpkin. Another way to ease into sipping tequilas is to get one infused with flavor. Its truly delicious and has made a name for itself as a bottle that. Please dont deprive yourself of this tequilas full range of flavors by diluting it with ice. Hermosillo selected his agave fields carefully, in the volcanic soil of the mountains of western Jalisco. The brand is also dedicated toenvironmental sustainability, which you can read more about here. Its blend is also notable, especially for a tequila priced under $50, highlighted by pure agave and notes of citrus like lemon, lime and grapefruit. This unique concoction lives in American white oak barrels for about 49 months, producing a complex aroma and smooth mouthfeel evocative of the finest cognacs. This tequila gets its name from the year of its creation, so yeah, you've got a spirit with a more than 200-year history. Siete Leguas, named for Pancho Villas horse, has been family made since 1952 at the distillery where Patrn got its start. Casa Noble recently revamped its bottles as well as its range of tequilas, slimming down to a blanco, a reposado, and an aejo. Plus the bottle designed byart director Fabien Baron is definitely worth saving! Warm oak, vanilla, and roasted agave flavors lead into a lingering oak and rich vanilla finish. Sesin Blanco is light and fresh with a touch of spice, complemented by sweet citrus and green pepper notes. Don Julio Ultima Reserva Extra Aejo Don Julio The late Don Julio Gonzlez began his tequila-making career in 1942 and developed an extraordinary sense for taste and aroma, resulting in some of . 40% ABV (80 Proof) 2720B. Don Julio 1942 is a complex, aromatic anejo tequila, aged longer than most anejos. If you knowthen you know. But just as Scotch whiskies, which at one time were only aged in ex-bourbon or sherry casks but are now being finished in different wine or whiskey barrels, top shelf tequila has successfully adopted this practice. My go-to tequila in Clase Azul Reposado. By subscribing, I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Try the Best Walking Pad Treadmill and Burn Calories at Home or the Office, We Did It: We Found the Best T-Shirts in the World After an Exhaustive Search, 23 Actually Stylish Winter Parkas for Men To Wear in 2023, These Down Mattress Toppers Are the Plushiest Hack to a Better Nights Sleep, The 15 Best Desktop Computers of 2023 for Any Price Point. Tequila is actually a sub-category of mezcal, and it can only be made from Blue Weber agave in five states in Mexico. Jose Cuervo is a legacy among tequila brands, one that has been synonymous with the spirit for over two centuries. Try the bright and crisp blanco expression to start. Theyre both good quality, but for the price point, I usually stick to Herradura. In celebration of the brands 80th anniversary in 2022, Tequila Don Julio Ultima Reserva has been released, representing the final agave harvest planted by Gonzlez and his family in 2006 and set aside for this special distillation. Along with his 80 proof Tequila Ocho, this is a favorite drink for legendary tequila maker Carlos Camarena of El Tesoro fame. This distillers blanco, reposadoand aejo expressions are each contained in captivating skull-inspired sculptures representing the Mayan, Peruvian and Nicaraguan cultures, and fashioned by local artists. #seminolecasinococonutcreek #donsuenos #donsuenostequila #lifeonyourterms #100deagave #jalisco #mexico, A post shared by Don Suenos Tequila (@donsuenos) on Feb 3, 2020 at 8:44am PST, Bryan Long, assistant director of food & beverage at Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa in Palm Beach, Florida. ", Cristalino style is the hottest thing in ultra-premium tequila at the moment, and this onea barrel-aged anejo finished in port wine casksbrings the rich flavor of a tequila aged for nearly two years with the smoothness of a silver tequila. Lauren Hubbard is a freelance writer and Town & Country contributor who covers beauty, shopping, entertainment, travel, home decor, wine, and cocktails. When buying in bulk or out at a bar, Espolon is an excellent option. Its latest release in the Tradicional portfolio, Aejo combines the Cuervo family recipe with a touch of charred American oak to create a remarkably smooth tequila that might be confused for a light, upon first taste. Immature agaves produce shallow and bitter-tasting tequilas, and any tequila that uses less than 100 percent agaves is a mixto, a sugary flavored concoction hardly worth pouring. Made with 100% blue Weber agave, our tequila boasts rich aromas . After launching with a blanco in 2020, they followed up with a reposado a few months later. According to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, sales of super-premium tequilas have increased by more than 700 percent since 2002, after having emerged from the 19th and 20th century veils of dusty backbar bottles and shooters and into the 21st centurys spotlight of hand-blown decanters and limited editions. This alone makes it a pop culture icon, but more so a go-to for adventurous nights out on the town. "This aejo tequila is. That goes double for tequilano reallygive us a double. Don Julio, Ultima Reserva, Tequila Extra Aejo. That depends upon the taste profile the maestro tequilero is after, with The Bad Stuff (yes, thats the brands misleading name) currently leading the pack with its recently released Doce XII, a superb 12-year-old silky-smooth bottle that goes for $1,000. Its infused with real fruit, too, so dont expect any of that artificial taste. "Tequila has come a very long way from its early harsh days and its blue collar palates," says .css-gegin5{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#9a0500;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-gegin5:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}Iaki Orozco, who founded Riazul Tequila. The best tequila brands include many lesser-known distilleries and top-shelf spirits, but when it comes to sugary cocktails and shots, 1800 is the true champ. Subscribe now and get up to 61% off the cover price. The only problem with this tequila is finding a shelf tall enough to store the bottle. The aging process will also change the color of tequila. There is a new anejo expression that was just released, but until that becomes more readily available try this one. 88; El Jolgorio Pechuga . #tequila #donjulio1942 #donjulio #friday #bakersfieldfriday #wildfriday #thursday #amazing #bocadossushibar #bar #bakersfield #bakersfieldphotographer #foodie, A post shared by Bocados Sushi Bar (@bocados_sushi_bar) on Oct 4, 2019 at 7:05pm PDT, Natalie Migliarini, the mixologist behind Beautiful Booze on Instagram. Reserva de la Familia. Don Julio Gonzlez was granted a loan by a local businessman and threw himself into the tequila-making business right away. heads, even among the best tequila brands. COUNTRY . Herradura celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2020 by debuting Legend, which takes advantage of the brands affiliation with spirits behemoth Brown-Forman. Their latest version, made from estate-grown blue agave, is aged for four to five years in ex-bourbon barrels for a complex flavor that brings out notes of chocolate and dried fruit in the tequila. I enjoy the 123 Tequila Anejo. However, its most significant distinction is sitting front and center on your bar for guests to admire. Theyre both delicious and great to sip over ice. It was worth the wait. Best enjoyed chilled, keep a bottle of this tequila in your freezer for a refreshing cocktail. That means that each batch comes from a particular year and the agave from a particular field or rancho, adding a bit of terroir concept to the spirit of the spirit. Lingering finish boasts a white pepper streak and a bit of mint. Some tequilas want to be smooththis tequila wants to take you back in time. More: Facts Every Tequila Aficionado Needs to Know. But there are some new entries in this unofficial category to check out, including this bottle from Tequila Komos. Those same fruity notes carry over on the palate, along with hints of cinnamon and clove. The agave plant (essentially a plump, cactus-like plant) can only be harvested at a precise time to give off the optimal amount of sweetness without being too tart, bitter or bland. We may earn a commission on items bought through our links. Jose Cuervo is a legacy among tequila brands, one that has been synonymous with the spirit for over two centuries. Copyright 2023 Penske Business Media, LLC. The spirit at the heart of Reserva De La Familia is aged a minimum of three years, then married with reserve tequilas that have been around as long as three decades. But when you get a particularly delicious spirit, we're definitely into drinking it on its own too. Featured here at Bocados Sushi Bar . Just about the most delicate reposado you can sip on with notes of honeydew, anise, and subtle florals. That third distillation refines the finished product without dulling it down. To start, agave plants are harvested by hand in the Jalisco Highlands, using farms that pass the strict standards of the Mexican Tequila Regulatory Council (TRC). I have three bottles of 1942, it's good, but I prefer Reserva. Don Julio 1942 is the choice of connoisseurs around the globe. We also suggest pairing this with a Tomahawk steak as big as your fridge will allow. . . Come in and enjoy! Tequila blanco, also known as silver tequila, is probably the most well-known, and it typically appears colorless in the bottle. $ 200.00 $ 170.00. After a long night or Patron Margaritas I ended the evening with a comparison between Don Julio 1942 vs Herradura Legend Anjeo Tequilas. Don Julio is a terrific heritage brand that creates smooth, tasty and not too exorbitantly priced tequilas, making Blanco a perfect choice when buying a round for your compadres at the local pub. It's been agedfor seven years in used French oak red wine barrels before it makes its way into your glass and the result is a deep and almost sweet flavor withhints of oak and vanilla. The consistency on each bottle gives light notes of vanilla, fruits, spice, and caramel without leaving the savor of . Each bottle is aged forsix months in a blend of American white oak, French oak, and French acacia casks and the result is a drink that has flavors likecooked agave, honey, vanilla with a mid-palate of cacao nibs. As noted below, Patrns Extra Aejo 10 Aos is aged in a combination of used American oak and hybrid American and French Limousin barrels, while one of their newest limited editionsSherry Cask Aged Aejois aged exclusively in ex-Oloroso sherry barrels. This grapefruit flavor is especially perfect for Paloma lovers. If youre stumped on what to get, dont worry some of our favorite bartenders have your back. Although its widely known for its mixto tequila, Cuervo has some higher-quality tequilas in its lineup. Smooth, silky, creamy and a trace of heat. #drinkfortaleza #tequilafortaleza #tequila #fortalezatequila #drinktequila #destileriafortaleza #tequilajalisco #agave #blueagave #blueweberagave #tequilalosabuelos #tequilareposado #reposado #tequilablanco #tequilaaejo #aejo #blanco #tequilashot #tequilatime #tequiladay #hechoenmexico #stoneground #productofmexico #tequilas #smallbatchtequila #tequilalove #fortalezaforlife #fortaleza, A post shared by SDBeerDrinker (@sdbeerdrinker) on Apr 27, 2018 at 6:14pm PDT, Nate Simmons, bartender at Garden & Grain in Pensacola, Florida. That changes now. TEQUILA BATTLE- DJ 1942 VS AVION 44 11,867 views Apr 29, 2020 201 Dislike Share Drams on Deck 880 subscribers Independent reviews of extra anejo tequilas, Don Julio 1942 and Avion 44.. Plus, in our selection, of top shelf tequila youll find an even newer and rarer Patrn extra aejo that has been aged for eight years in French and American oak casks. Just ask Kevin Moran, general manager at Seagar's Prime in South Walton, Florida, who reps hard for Don Julio 1942. Its aged for two years in both American and French oak barrels and then blended with extra aejo that was matured for an impressive six years in American oak. Aejo tequila is complex, full-bodied and is recommended for sipping. Patrn en Lalique Serie 1 was followed by its sequel, Serie 2, in 2017, and now comes Patron en Lalique Serie 3. Tequila Ocho is a unique brand because it releases single estate vintage tequilas. Avin Reserva 44 Extra Aejo Tequila is aged for 44 months, with 43in oak barrels, and the final month in petite oak barrels. How long? I've seen comments that the Don Julio might be too sweet. This greatly intensifies the tequila, creating layers of complexity with sweetened notes of cooked agave, fruits and spices, along with heavily floral accents and a hint of caraway. Blancos notwithstanding, the best tequilas have traditionally been aged in American or French oak barrels. Its light, soft and crisp, which arent exactly characteristics you expect from a tequila. What remains are notes of vanilla, citrus and grass that you can enjoy on its own, neat or with some ice. Whether you're looking for a way to spice up your nightcap, or are an avowed tequila fan who wants to delve into the best of the best sit back, grab a few bottles from these tequila brands, and see for yourself why tequila is well on its way to becoming the next liquor to appeal to sippers worldwide. . Avion Silver Tequila Review. One of the best organic-certified brands on the market, 123 Tequila has prided itself on creating delicious organic tequilas by employing some of the best farming and production practices in the biz. The reposado is aged for a year in French oak barrels. The company matures this blend for 12 months in oak barrels before it spends an additional four months in Irish single malt whiskey barrels, adding unique flavors like cinnamon, caramel and stewed figs to the tequilas already distinctive profile. Don Julio is a total crowdpleaser and after one sip, you'll get why. Patrn Silver Tequila $51.99 Buy Now. #espolonanejo #campariamerica, A post shared by susie bohnstengel (@suzybohnz) on Feb 6, 2020 at 1:30pm PST, Cody Dillon, general manager at Florblanca in Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica. 1942. Delicate notes of bright citrus, greens and pepper lead to a crisp and smooth finish. Its aged in oak barrels for three weeks, leading to a naturally sweet taste without overpowering. How do you think the Avin 44 compares? Another tequila with unique flavors, this one will give you some subtlecoconut and lime flavors while finishing up with the smoke of pepper. Don Julio 1942 es la eleccin de conocedores de todo el mundo. . (The fact the bottle will look gorgeous on your bar cart is purely a bonus.). Another thing to look for aside from region of origin: a four-digit number that represents each distillerys unique code. The liquor and cucumber combo has been with us for quite some time. His goal is to make as expressive a tequila as possible, and nowhere is that more evident than in the extra aejo. If you purchase a product or service through a link in this story, we may receive a small commission. The anejo and super anejo offer a consumer-friendly price point and drinkability. Blanco tequila is one of the smoothest tequilas and excellent to drink on its own. Youll find all of these innovationsand morein our selection of the best tequila on this side of the border. Aside from margaritas, you can also use tequila in a Paloma (served with grapefruit juice) and a Sunrise (served with orange juice). This is not the Jose Cuervo of your college spring break days. Weve also made suggestions to pair them with specific foods for some of these options, just as you would a fine wine. Cristalino was originally created by Beckmann, but since 2020 it has caught on with other tequileros as well; youll discover two of the newest cristalinos below. Avion nailed the palate here, enriching its formula with butterscotch, vanilla, roasted agave and marzipan notes for one unbelievable sip. These bottles are meant to be savored one sip at a time. The 1942 is more than just a decor piece that accentuates any bachelors at-home bar. Some brands are certified as additive-free, however, meaning they eschew this process. Then, after a brief period macerating the fruits and spices, an unusual third distillation is performeda first for the Maestro Dobel portfolioduring which the pechuga is placed at the top of the still, thus infusing the tequila vapors which are condensed with aromatics of the fruits, spices and the now-savory turkey breast, which is cooked in the distillation steam. Reserva for me. Plus, get the exclusive Robb Report tote bag FREE. Don Julio 1942 Aejo Tequila Review. #Rocasilver #passthepatron #cambria #chicagohotels, A post shared by Chandler Crawford (@chandy.chitown) on Oct 31, 2019 at 11:22am PDT, Josh Streetman, bartender at Motor Supply Co. in Columbia, South Carolina. That commitment to quality and taste is what has awarded Reserva 44 numerous key spirits awards. . The excitement and media coverage over Avion's Reserva 44 not only helped give a boost to existing products in the space like Don Julio 1942, it also pushed major companies like Patron and 1800 (owned by the . Avion Reserva 44. Lowland Blue Weber agaves, sourced from a single-family estate, are double copper pot distilled to create a base of Maestro Dobels Silver tequila. You can find rave reviews for it everywhere, and people especially remark upon how smooth it is when sipped straight. We suggest a few fresh squeezed limes with this one, and pairing it with your favorite bar foods, such as wings, sliders or nachos. Subscribe now and save. Mijenta Reposado is aged up to six months in barrels made of American oak and European acacia, bringing lovely notes of wood, vanilla and some incense to the palate. Cristalino, an aged tequila filtered with activated charcoal to remove its color and enhance flavor, is the latest trend in the tequila space. I enjoy drinking the anejo on the rocks with a squeeze of fresh lime. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. When you hear the description of this Reposado, you'll almost be reminded of a fine wine. The Mexican government assigns the Norma Oficial Mexicana number (or NOM) and certifies that the bottle youre holding is authentic tequila produced in Mexico. At the Patrn Hacienda, bartenders make versions of classic cocktails like a Negroni and Old Fashioned using Patrn tequila. All Rights reserved. Hints of cappuccino, cinnamon, clove, deep vanilla, and salted. .css-1du65oy{color:#323232;display:block;font-family:NewParis,Georgia,Times,serif;font-weight:normal;margin-bottom:0.3125rem;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;-webkit-font-smoothing:auto;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-1du65oy:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-1du65oy{font-size:1.0625rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-1du65oy{font-size:1.0625rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-1du65oy{font-size:1.3125rem;line-height:1.2;}}The Best Cocktails for St. Patrick's Day, Subscriptions for Every Kind of Wine Lover, Kentucky Derby Cocktails for Your Race-Day Party. It does have a gentle fruitiness reminiscent of a brandy, mingled with a dry herbaceousness and a surprisingly vibrant agave presence, given all that wood aging. Reserva is way more interesting and complex. El Tesoro Paradiso is an extra-aejo that spent five years resting in ex-cognac barrels (instead of traditional American oak). This aejo tequila is aged a minimum of two and a half years in oak, giving it a distinctive sweet vanilla character. You get almonds, apples and olives on the nose. The concept of sustainability extends to the packaging that uses recycled glass and soy ink labels. Includes digital magazine access + a free gift. Avion Reserva 44, Don Julio 70, Don Julio 1942, Don Julio Real, Gran Patron Burdeos, Gran Patron Biedra, Gran Patron Platinum, Milagro Unico 2, Milagro Select Barrel Reserve. Priced slightly above the $30 mark, its a fantastic value and great gift for dad this, Discover 38 Things That Will Turn Your Home Into Your Favorite Place, High Noon Is Launching A Brand-New Tequila Seltzer For Spring And Summer Sipping, Think Warm Thoughts With the Best Hard Seltzer Brands to Sip This Year, quite a few beverages you can mix it with, Too Busy for the Gym? Talk about the perfect summer drink. 14 Delicious Non-Alcoholic Spirits to Sip. . On the palate, caramel, vanilla, whiskied oak, pepper, with under tones of dried cherries, cocoa, leather. Avion Reserva 44 Aged for 44 months, Avion's ultra-aged aejo shares the taste profile of a fine cognac, only smoother. Today, the grandson of founder Don Felipe Camarena oversees production. Privacy Policy. #yesIdrinktequilainachampagneglass #claseazulreposado #claseazul #drinkresponsibly, A post shared by Johnte Archer (@johnte_archer) on Nov 8, 2019 at 3:30pm PST, Joseph Palminteri, director of food and beverages at Via Sophia in Washington DC. ), but artists rapping about shots of Patrn have given tequila an undeservedly bad (and, ahem, cheap) rep. Its truly delicious and has made a name for itself as a bottle that turns heads, even among the best tequila brands. The reason its not considered an extra aejo is because of the younger liquid in the blend. Avion nailed the palate here, enriching its formula with butterscotch . It mixes well with just about everything, including watermelon, apple, cucumber, lemon, mint and ginger. It is then filter-stripped of its color, using Beckmanns exclusive process. From the very beginning, Patrns handcrafted method has included 100% Weber Blue Agave and the centuries-old tahona process, where a sizable volcanic stone wheel slowly crushes agave fibers. Warm oak, vanilla, and roasted agave flavors lead into a lingering oak and rich vanilla finish. Still, its selection of high-quality tequilas has an archetypal smoothness that places it among the elite. The individually numbered crystal decanters were created by Laliques creative director, Marc Larminaux, and are reflective (literally) of the harvested green-topped agave pias.