Thursday, March 21, 2024

What Is The Smoothest Tequila For Shots

El Espolon Blanco Tequila

How to Taste Expensive Sipping Tequila – WSJ After Hours

This Blanco tequila is made exclusively from blue agave harvested in the Highlands region of Mexico. The agaves are harvested by experts who hand-pick and use only the best ones after theyve been left to mature for almost ten years.

The clear, fruity tequila offers a sweet aromatic experience with notes of agave, owers, lemon zest, white pepper, and tropical fruits. The palate offers a soft, oily mouthfeel with agave, vanilla, and pineapple flavoring with a hint of spice. The tequila won a double gold medal at the World Spirits Competition and earned 94 points from the Beverage Tasting Institute.

Between the unique texture and simple, fruit flavors, youll enjoy many yummy shots from this high-quality, affordable Blanco tequila.

What About Tequila Shots In Mexico

The westernised way of drinking tequila where you lick some salt off the back of your hand, swallow an entire shot of tequila in one go and finish off with a quick suck on a lime wedge does actually originate from Mexico it is how Mexican people drink very young tequila i.e. not reposado or añejo.

However, this style of tequila drinking in Mexico has a party vibe to it and is more common amongst younger drinkers. As smoother tequilas are more readily available and affordable, this white, rougher tequila seems to be drunk less frequently.

Drink The Oldest Tequila You Can Find

Like a fine whiskey, tequila is one of those drinks that improves with age. And, the longer tequila has been aged, the more mellow and, yes, the more drinkable, it will be.

The clear tequila that we most commonly slug back in bars is usually fresh out of the vat and as a result is pretty rough to drink even in Mexico. Hence the need to chase this baby brew with lime and salt.

However, drink a tequila that is even a little bit older and the taste and drinkability increases dramatically.

Tequila usually falls into these categories:

  • Blanco completely unaged tequila that has spent less than 2 months in steel or neutral oak barrels
  • Joven as above but is often gold coloured
  • Reposado aged more than 2 months but less than 1 year in oak barrels
  • Añejo aged 1-3 years in oak barrels
  • Extra Añejo aged more than 3 years in oak barrels

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Best Under $: Teremana Blanco

Courtesy of Total Wine

Region: Jalisco | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Vanilla, Pepper, Citrus, Earth

Leave it to The Rock to have his name behind a classy blanco, which is produced using high-mountain agave roasted in brick ovens and distilled in copper pot stills. Lynette Marrero, bar director at New Yorks Llama Inn, is a fan. Its made in the most authentic way and without any additives, she says, so its great for connoisseurs looking to sip on a serious tequila.” But, she also serves it to people wanting to learn more about the category.

She likes its clean character and wonderful flavor: The agave shines through, complemented by fragrant citrusy and earthy notes, vanilla and a hint of aromatic peppery spice.

Tequila Definitely Not Just A Shot

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Tequila means different things to different people.Whether you prefer your tequila neat, in a Margarita, a shot with a lime, or enjoyed on the beach, itâs a spirit thatâs easily enjoyed in many situations.

Tequila snobs will absolutely turn their nose up to those that do that salt, lime, shot, oblivion thing. Not that shots donât have their place, but whatever tequila youâre shootingâeven if itâs a blanco, actually took a minimum of eight years to get to the glass. To say the least ,tequila definitely deserves some respect.

Tequila is made from blue agave a plant and not a cactus and by law must be made in Mexico. There are five types of tequila silver, gold, reposado, añejo, and extra añejo.

It is primarily produced in Jalisco from the succulent blue agave plant after maturing for 8 years. These agave plants are of a one-time use and the heart is cut out and processed to make tequila or Mezcal. Flavors vary from the fermentation process, itâs surrounding and whether itâs a high or low land plant.

After the hearts are cut out of the blue agave plant, they are then steam-cooked to prepare for fermentation. And while tequila, like vodka and gin, is a clear spirit, it is actually pot-distilled at least twice.

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What Is Reposado Tequila Good For

Whether youre making a classic margarita or adding such fancy twists as Hennessy Margarita, Grand Marnier Margarita or Cadillac Margarita, its a great choice. An alcoholic drink like Tequila and Ginger Ale with reposado adds a lot of flavor. Tasting tequila anejo neat or on the rocks, it has a dark, rich flavor.

Types Of Tequila Brands

What to look for when buying a good bottle of tequila? Rule of thumb: look for a mid-priced tequila of any age: price does indicate quality! When youre shopping for tequila, look for 750 ml bottles in the range of $22 to $35. Anything cheaper isnt worth buying. Here are a few types of tequila brands that we recommend:

  • Espolon Blanco: inexpensive tequila blanco
  • El Tesoro Blanco: mid-priced tequila blanco
  • Patrón Silver: mid-priced tequila blanco
  • Milagro Reposado: mid-priced tequila reposado
  • Suerte Reposado: mid-priced tequila reposado
  • What are your favorite types of tequila? Let us know in the comments below.

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    Danos Dangerous Tequila Aejo

    Reserve Bar

    One of the most-awarded bottles on our list, Danos Añejo Tequila is aged 18 months in virgin French white oak barrels and produced using 100% agave at a family-owned distillery that dates back to 1840. A small sip reveals aromas of roasted agave with woody notes, before the tequila opens up with hints of caramel, coconut and oak.

    Founded in Steamboat Springs, Colorado in 2018, Danos Tequila just won Best in Class Añejo at the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Danos also won the Gold Medal in the 2019 Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America Tasting Competition, and the Double Gold and Gold in the 2018 SIP Awards.

    Think of this as the cognac of tequila best for sipping neat, or with an ice cube.

    The Best Blanco Reposado And Aejo Tequilas To Be Savored On Their Own

    Blind Tequila Taste Test World’s Smoothest Tequila
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    LIQUOR / Chloe Jeong

    Best Highlands:Tequila Chamucos Reposado at Drizly

    Floral on the nose, it has the bittersweet fruitiness and briny undertones to keep you coming back for more.

    A is fantastic, but its not the only way to drink tequila. In fact, if you take a deeper dive, you’ll discover tequilas you can enjoy on their own, says Crystal Chasse, beverage director of Talk Story Rooftop in Brooklyn, New York. What she’s describing is what’s called a sipping tequila.

    ” distinctive nuances that take you on a journey from the front to the back palate, with a finish that makes you come back for another sip, she explains.

    According to Morgan Hurley, marketing and beverage director of Mex 1 Coastal Cantina in Charleston, South Carolina, a sipping tequila should be 100% agave and very well-crafted, particularly if its unaged.

    Reposados, on the other hand, are barrel-aged for two months to a year, and they should be mellow, he says. “But still have that cooked agave flavor mingling with the honey, toasted oak and vanilla.

    Here, the best sipping tequilas our experts recommend to drink right now.

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    Best For Margaritas: Herradura Silver

    Image Source / ReserveBar

    Region: Mexico | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Vanilla, Agave, Oak

    Herradura is well known and for the price, says Reniel Garcia, bar director of Havana 1957 on Española Way. Fruity and spicy, great to sip or make your favorite Margarita. Its particularly flavorful in a Margarita because Herraduras silver tequila is aged in oak for 45 days, infusing it with soft flavors to round out this classic cocktail.

    Top Quality Blanco Reposado And Aejo Tequilas On A Budget

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    Liquors / Chloe Jeong

    Tequila is a category that’s gotten a lot of attention in recent years, and the most exclusive bottlings are commanding increasingly elevated pricesbut in all the excitement about the latest extra añejo or celebrity vanity project, it’s easy to forget about the quality budget tequilas that continue to represent incredible values. Some of these are made with very traditional ingredients and methods , while others employ modern technologies like autoclaves and diffusers, but all of them represent good bang for the buck in a category that’s becoming pricier by the day.

    Whether you’re blending your tequila into a , serving it on the rocks, or simply sipping it neat, there’s a budget bottle out there with your name on it. We spoke with some expert bartenders and beverage consultants from the United States Bartenders Guild to find out what some of their favorite cheap bottles of tequila are, along with some recommendations on how to use them in cocktails.

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    Best Blanco: Don Fulano Blanco

    Courtesy of Don Fulano

    Region: Jalisco | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Lemon peel, Lemongrass, Cooked agave

    “Theres a saying: ‘Whiskey is aged in wood, and tequila is aged in the ground,'” says Hurley. Thats so true because agave takes six to eight years to mature, so you can detect the influence of the terroirthe soil, sun and shade of mountainsespecially in a blanco. He calls this one from the Altos region phenomenal.

    Produced by Jaliscos famed Fonseca family using deep well water, Don Fulano Blanco offers “green cooked agave notes, a little bit of pepper and minerality, and hints of lemon peel and lemongrass, Hurley says. Along with those complex layers of flavor, Hurley likes its mouthfeel. It has a nice body all the way through, so its one of the easiest drinking tequilas out there,” he adds.

    Blancos showcase the terroir and the agave, but they also show any imperfections. Look for spirits with a medium to full body, a bit of attitude, minerality and brightnessand not much ethanol burn. You can tell an impure spirit if you get that. Morgan Hurley, Marketing and Beverage Director, Mex 1 Coastal Cantina

    Is Tequila Stronger Than Vodka

    1 shot of tequila with a dash of hot sauce bombed into a ...

    Tequila must have an ABV content of 35% to 55%, whilst vodka can be as strong as it likes as long as its over 40% to be sold in America. In terms of taste, the strength of the drink is determined by how you drink it. As most people drink tequila neat or as a shot, some would argue that tequila is the stronger liquor.

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    Best Cheap: Sauza Silver Tequila

    Budget tequilas are tricky, and it is very easy to get burned when you buy the wrong one. Sauza Silver is one that wont let you down or leave your mouth on fire. It may not be as smooth as top-shelf tequilas, but it is one of the best affordable options, and its in nearly every liquor store.

    Sauza is distilled in the town of Tequila and right across the street from Jose Cuervo. While both brands are famous for their cheap gold tequilas, Sauzas 100 percent blue Weber agave silver tequila is a smoother option for tequila shots when you want to save money. It makes a nice margarita as well, particularly when blended with fruits like strawberry and pineapple.

    Bottle Size: 750 milliliters | Tasting Notes: Fresh agave, fiber, pepper | ABV: 40% | Region: Los Valles, Jalisco

    Silver tequilas are unaged and the most affordable of any brands lineup. Tequila Herradura offers a brilliant example that should be almost anywhere you look. It is premium, but not priced out of reach for the average drinker, and it always produces a great tequila cocktail.

    Bottle Size: 750 milliliters | Tasting Notes: Cooked agave, citrus, black pepper | ABV: 40% | Region: Tequila Valley, Jalisco

    The Best Tequila Shots

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    Tequila is known for being a great part drink whether youre doing a bunch of shots in a row or enjoying some fun and interesting cocktails, theres a tequila for everything. While shooting straight tequila is fun for some, with a little extra effort and a few new ingredients, you can open up a whole new world of shots. Not only do these offer new and complex flavors but some of them look amazing. A tray of brightly colored shots can do a lot to liven up the party.

    The best tequila shots strike a good balance between effort and ease. You dont want a single shot to take you forever to make, but a little extra time can be well worth it. A handful of ingredients, a couple of steps, and a few minutes of your time is a reasonable expectation.

    The shots outlined here are a great place to start. Youll find plenty of fun colors and flavors, and they can all be adjusted to your taste. While certain ratios are recommended for the best outcome, youre always free to add more or less of something to change the taste or strength to better suit you!

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    Olmeca Altos Reposado $25

    Most people reach for the blancos when pouring tequila shots, but give this reposado a chance. Its aged for six to eight months in former whiskey barrels but is lighter than most tequilas of its kind. Its sweet and citrusy with subtle hints of vanilla and wood on the palate. Give this to your whiskey-loving friends and they wont look back.

    Los Azulejos Tequila Silver

    5 Best Tequilas Under $50 – Reposado Edition

    Tequila Los Azulejos, whose name means “glazed” or “polished” in Spanish, is made from 100% agave and bottled to maintain the spirit’s freshness and brilliance during the second distillation process. Los Azulejos Tequila Silver is presented in a stunning bottle crafted from hand-blown artisan glass that highlights the color and vibrancy of this exquisite Tequila.

    This silvery tequila has a strong agave taste with hints of pepper, fragrant herbs, and sour-sweet overtones that appear to favor minerality from the moment it enters the mouth. Natural agave and clear flavors dominate the palate. The lack of roast allows smoothness and softness to take over your senses.

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    Casamigos Reposado Tequila: Best Sweet Tequila

    Price: £50 |

    The brainchild of George Clooney and Rande Gerber, friends who could never find a tequila quite good enough to serve in their Mexican homes, this is a spirit that has unsurprisingly attracted a lot of publicity. So is it really worth the hype? Absolutely, especially if you like your tequila on the sweeter side, with vanilla and caramel coming through on both the nose and pallet, balanced with spice and tobacco.

    Aged for seven months in previously used whisky barrels, we can confirm there is absolutely no burn, although we were less convinced by their blanco tequila, which we found disappointingly unsophisticated for the price. Drink neat, on the rocks or mix in a cocktail.

    Key specs Alcohol content: 40% Bottle size: 70cl Type: Reposado

    Writers Pick: Patron Silver

    Average Price:$43

    Why This Tequila?

    Theres a reason Patron is such a big name in the tequila world. When it comes to shots, its difficult to beat the classic flavor of Patron Silver with its notes of vanilla beans, vegetal, sweet agave, and ripe pineapple. Its smooth, mellow, and goes down easy every time. Isnt that exactly what you want in a tequila shot?

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    How To Drink Tequila Like A Non

    Before we get into the details of how to drink tequila like a Mexican, lets take a good hard stare at how the rest of us tend to approach the subject of tequila drinkingor should I say tequila slamming.

    More often that not, it goes a little something like this:

  • Enter bar, consume a dozen or so other drinks.
  • Realise its past midnight and a) you want to dance or b) you still feel too sober to call it a good Friday night.
  • Shout to your friends, Tequilas?!
  • After a mixed reactions of hell yeahs and urghhh, I hate tequila , head to the bar.
  • Ordering process: tequilas please.
  • Return to friends with tray full of evil clear liquid in shot glasses complete with a scattering of lime wedges and salt.
  • Add salt to back of hand. Deep breath.
  • Get a wedge of lime ready to drown out the tequila pain. Take another deep breath.
  • Get beer bottle within grabbing distance, in case the lime doesnt work. Double deep breath.
  • Round of chanting with friends.
  • One
  • Try to swallow as your throat closes in protest.
  • Swallow harder while trying to breathe through your nose.
  • Finally swallow the liquid which burns all the way down to your stomach.
  • Shove a ridiculously large amount of sharp citrus into your mouth and suck on it like youre a new-born given your first dummy/pacifier.
  • Discard lime, take huge swig of beer and wipe tears from your eyes.
  • Cheer at the round of empty glasses and breathe a secret sigh of relief that its over
  • Until some shouts Another round!
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