The Best Cocktails To Make With Casamigos Tequila
Casamigos price and delicious taste makes it a great option for shaking up a range of incredible cocktails. And Casamigos alcohol percentage also means you wont need many of these drinks to truly understand just how delectable this spirit really is. There are various Casamigos types of tequila, and weve included some of our favourite Casamigos recipes for each below.
Ready To Become A Tequila Expert
This tequila guide will cover what makes a tequila a tequila and go over some basic definitions so you can dazzle yourself and others with tequila knowledge. Ill provide some recommendations for tequilas that are widely available so you can begin to stock your home bar and ensure the best tequila experience for your next party or quiet night at home.
Leela Cyd Ross
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But Its Easy To Understand Why Casamigos Rose In Popularity So Quickly
when you take a quick look behind the scenes. The brand produces three different types of tequila blanco, reposado and añejo. Theyre all made using only the purest Blue Agave and are aged between seven and nine years.
Each agave piña spends 72 hours in a brick oven and then a further 80 hours fermenting more than double the industry average. All of this combined with the extensive tasting process ensured that Casamigos was destined for success.
And dont think that Casamigos just has a celebrity appeal. As well as being a firm favourite for friends of Clooney, its also a winner of multiple awards around the world. Once youve taken a sip of Casamigos, its definitely one that youll request again.
Youre also safe in the knowledge that Clooney and Gerber approve of your bottle, as they personally sample each batch before its sold, to guarantee quality control.
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Drink Casamigos And Wake Up With George Clooney
Following a night of heavy tequila consumption, Clooney and Gerber made their way back to Gerbers house, where Clooney settled in a guest room for the night. A few hours later, he woke to find Cindy Crawford getting into bed with him. Crawford mistakenly identified the piled heap on the bed to be Gerber, while Clooney thought hed accidentally wandered into the master bedroom after drinking one too many.
Needless to say, we all laughed about it, Gerber said in a 2019 interview. ended up being our first commercial: Drink Casamigos and wake up with Cindy Crawford. Or, as Cindy likes to say: Drink Casamigos and wake up with George Clooney.
A Buying Guide To Tequilas
The tequilas recommended here are by no means a comprehensive list, but rather suggestions for widely available tequilas across many price points.
Some good buying guidelines are:
- Avoid anything that is packaged in plastic or that costs less than $15 as these are signs of cheap tequila thatll burn like hellfire down your throat and taste like lighter fluid.
- Buy only tequila that states 100% agave on the bottle.
- Its perfectly reasonable to find a smooth, flavorful tequila for $25-$30 thats great for shots, cocktails, or sipping. A high price does not always indicate high quality.
- If theres a worm or scorpion or, really, any animal in the bottle, then dont buy it. Its a marketing gimmick used to sell cheaply produced tequilas and its almost guaranteed to be dreck.
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How Is Casamigos Made
Tequila production is very regulated and it is the little details that make the difference in one tequila’s production versus another.
Casamigos Tequila’s production involves:
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Blue Weber agave is grown in the red clay soil of Jalisco, Mexico, an area known for producing the richest-tasting tequilas.
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Distilled at Productos Finos de Agave in Jesús María, Jalisco.
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Agave pinas are slow-roasted for 72 hours in brick ovens.
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The fermentation process takes 80 hours.
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Casamigos Blanco is rested for 2 months.
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Casamigos Reposado is aged for 7 months and Añejo is aged for 14 months, both in used American whiskey oak barrels.
Tequila Isnt The Only Drink On The Menu
In 2018, Casamigos added a joven mezcal to its lineup. Apart from being its only non-tequila offering, the mezcal is Casamigos sole release that isnt bottled in clear glass. Gerber was responsible for its matte-black design, and each bottle is finished using a special rubbing process to make it unique.
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The Taste Of Casamigos Tequila
For all the background, the really important thing you want to know is how does this tequila stack up against others, right?
We had the opportunity to taste Casamigos Reposado Tequila and try it in a few cocktails. The first impression is that it is a very nice tequila though slightly milder in flavor than some of its counterparts, but that seems to be what it’s founders were going for.
Casamigos was designed to be a sipping tequila, one that “didn’t have to be covered up with salt or lime.” On this point, they hit it on the mark! The reposado is a tequila that you can pour and sip to your heart’s content. It is as smooth as a premium whiskey, has nice notes of caramel and cocoa and a silky mouthfeel and is simply a delight to drink. Everyone that we shared it with was impressed.
The only problem we can foresee with Casamigos is that it may get lost in some cocktails. The Danny Ocean recipe above is probably about as complex a flavor as we would use the reposado in. If you were to go any further with strong flavors, you would lose those subtle oak qualities that make it a good tequila.
Keep the drinks light and you will love mixing with Casamigos.
A Nightlife Entrepreneur And An Actor Walk Into A Bar
When building their respective homes in Mexico, actor and director George Clooney and bar and restaurant tycoon Rande Gerber took the opportunity to drink as much tequila as they could get their hands on. Sitting in a bar one night, the pair reflected on all the bottles theyd sampled. Each agreed they hadnt yet found their perfect match, and so they decided to make their own.
drop!
Gerber described the desired formula in a 2018 interview: We wanted one that didnt burn going down, that was super smooth, and had the right flavor profile. One that we didnt have to mix typically we drink it straight or on the rocks that we could drink all day long and not be hungover in the morning.
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Casamigos Tequilas Unique Taste Comes From An 80 Hour Fermentation Process
The first step to making great Casamigos tequila is sourcing high quality ingredients. Casamigos employ a Master Distiller in Jalisco to oversee the tequila-making process. The finest agave piñas are selected from where they are grown in Jalisco, Mexico, and they are roasted in traditional ovens for 72 hours. Most other tequila producers steam their piñas for just seven hours, but Casamigos Tequilas longer roasting process brings out the depth in the agaves sweet flavour.
A proprietary yeast is used by the Master Distiller to ferment the alcohol in order to produce a consistent, refined flavour. The roasted piñas are crushed and fermented, using Casamigos special 80 hour fermentation process. The average tequila is fermented for 48 hours, so Casamigos extra-long process brings a complexity of flavour which you can taste when you drink it.
If It Aint Broke Dont Fix It
but you can still add to it. So, in 2018, Casamigos released its first mezcal. While unmistakably a Casamigos offering, this joven mezcal comes in a matte-black bottle rather than a glass one, and undergoes a special rubbing process to ensure you never get it mixed up with any other bottle. As you might imagine, its also another popular choice.
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Casamigos Is Not Just Celebrity Hype
Celebrity founders may have brought the brand attention, but since launching, Casamigos spirits have picked up numerous gold medal awards at spirits competitions, including the Los Angeles International Spirits Competition, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, the New York World Wine & Spirits Competition, and the Spirits of Mexico Tasting Competition.
Does Trader Joes Only Sell Their Brand Of Tequila
Trader Joes stocks many top name-brand tequilas in addition to several varieties of their house-brand tequila. The brand names often available include Cazadores, Milagro, Casamigos, Espolòn, and Casamigos.
However, not every name brand is sold in every state that allows liquor sales.
In fact, its liquor selection is one reason many customers swear by the quirky yet highly successful store. It offers name-brand bottles at prices that wont break the bank.
But in order to offer its customers good products at low prices, most of its products are private labels. In fact, its one of the secrets some stores can offer high-quality products at prices that often make us question their quality.
As an example, a Tequila youll get at TJ for, lets say, $24 could be available under a different name and packaging and a slightly different expression for $56.
There are those wholl argue that ShopRite is a better deal than Trader Joes. Which ones better? Thats what I explored in a recent article of mine. Its no secret that TJs is cheaper, but there is one reason that thousands flock to ShopRite instead.
Just click the link to read it on my site.
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Can You Buy Casamigos Tequila At Trader Joes
Trader Joes does sell Casamigos tequila, but not in every state that allows liquor in grocery stores. For example, it does not sell it at Trader Joes stores in California, but it does in New Mexico. Patrón tequila is the same way. It is not sold in California but is in other states.
But skip the Patron Casamigos is much better.
Casamigos was started by George Clooney and two of his friends. Mr. Clooney came up with the idea that they should create one of the best-tasting and smoothest Tequilas .
In time, its become a multiple award-winning drink that Diego eventually bought for a billion dollars!
To see if the TJs near you sells Casamigos, simply put in your zip code on the Casamigos website and see if TJs shows up in the list that pops up.
You wont find that info on TJs website.
Hold the phone. Trader Joes tequila? Finally, a reason to go grocery shopping.
Hilary George-Parkin
The Verdict: Is Casamigos Worth The Money
Casamigos is on that fine line of expensive tequila. Compared to many of its counterparts, the brand did do an excellent job of keeping it below the $50 price point that can be a deterrent for many drinkers. It’s the magic number for the majority of us because once liquor passes it, it becomes a real luxury.
We do think that Casamigos is worth the money. It is a nice tequila that is premium but not overpriced for what it is. It’s a tequila that you can save for those special occasions without feeling like you’re either wasting it in a mixed drink or sacrificing your hard earned dollars.
Though we’ve only tasted one of the three Casamigos Tequilas, we suspect that the blanco and añejo follow suit with the reposado. Is this going to be a tequila for those who love the bold agave flavors? No. This is a tequila for drinkers who enjoy the softer side and it is a gentle introduction for the new tequila aficionado.
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Lets Talk About Aging Tequila
The amount of aging and the amount of agave used to make a tequila are what create the different varieties. Each variety has a different type of flavor, aroma, and price point.
These are blanco, reposado, añejo, and extra añejo.
Keep in mind that añejo doesnt mean best, it just means oldest. If you prefer the flavor of blanco, then buy blanco. Extra añejos are often the most expensive tequilas.
How Is Tequila Made
While grapes, wheat, or corn can be harvested a few months to a few years later before being processed and distilled into alcohol, the blue agave plants used to make tequila are different. They take about 10 years to grow before theyre ready to be harvested for tequila.
The labor-intensive harvesting is done by hand by agave farmers known as jimadores. Here are the main steps for turning agave into tequila:
- Agave harvesting: When ready to be harvested, the spiny leaves and roots are cut off the main plant body, called the agave heart or piña, which goes to processing.
- Process the agave: The hearts are slowly baked, which can sometimes take days. The slow cooking reduces caramelization and prevents the juices from turning bitter, thus maintaining the flavor of the agave.
- Crush the agave: Afterwards, the cooked hearts are crushed to release their sugary juices. This can be done by a mechanical crusher and grinder, or by the traditional way using a volcanic stone wheel called a tahona. Historically, a mule pulled the tahona, but these days an electric motor does the job. In theory, this slower practice of extracting agave nectar that will be fermented and distilled creates a more robust and complex flavor.
- Ferment the agave into tequila: The extracted juices are then fermented and twice-distilled as dictated by regulations. The distilled alcohol can then be bottled straight away or aged in wooden containers.
Elise Bauer
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El Tesoro Aejo Tequila
Reserve Bar
If you want to discover an authentic Mexican tequila with a bold yet traditional flavor, then order a bottle of El Tesoro. El Tesoro may be owned by Beam Suntory, the Japanese company responsible for Suntory Whisky, but this tequila is still made from traditional methods and local agave. In fact, the grandson of founder Don Felipe Camarena oversees production today. The Añejo variety is aged in American oak bourbon barrels for up to three years, which results in a nice blend of warm agave and oak flavors. If you try this tequila neat, youll notice notes of maple, vanilla and caramel, balanced with pepper and floral tones.
Review Of Casamigos Reposado Tequila
We must preface this review with the fact that we are naturally skeptical of celebrity-backed liquor. We have seen too many times in recent years that a celebrity endorsement does little for the actual quality of spirits and quite often they are disappointments. However, we do keep an open mind when faced with any new spirit and test each on their merits, not the names behind it.
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There Are Three Varieties Of Casamigos Tequila For You To Try
Casamigos Tequila comes in different varieties, which are defined based on how long the tequila is left to age. The youngest, the Casamigos Tequila blanco, rests for just two months, so it is crisp and clean, with flavours of citrus, vanilla, and sweet agave. The finish is long and smooth. The next youngest variety is the Casamigos Tequila reposado, which is aged for seven months in American white oak barrels. It is soft and smooth, with flavours of oak, caramel, and cocoa. The finish is silky and medium to long. Finally, the variety which is aged the most is the Casamigos Tequila Añejo, which is aged for fourteen months in American white oak barrels. It has flavours of caramel and vanilla, with both sweetness and spice. The finish is lingering and smooth.
Whether you like to sip your tequila neat, to pour it over ice, or to drink it in a tasty cocktail, Casamigos Tequila is sure to please. You can purchase a bottle of Casamigos Tequila now from our online shop!
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Casamigos Aejo Vs The Competition
- Don Julio Añejo
- 1800 Añejo
Casamigos Añejo and 1800 Añejo will definitely compete for a tequila pundits liking.
Both have different fruits, confectioneries and spices in their respective tastes, with the 1800 Añejo displaying hints of cinnamon, candied pears, butterscotch and toasted oak . What could sink Casamigos could be the finish, as theres a slight lingering bitter feeling in the gullet as the last of the añejogoes down.
Practically the same case can be presented, when comparing the añejosof Casamigos and Patron.
Vanilla, raisins and oak wood are present in the taste, but they do not try to be the lead in the Patron añejo theater. The telltale peppery rush of agave is still in the drink, and is very much the dominant flavor.
Again, what could steer rookie and veteran tequila drinkers towards Patron is Casamigos aforementioned lingering bitterness in the finish. In contrast, Patron goes down the throat smoothly, aided by hints of caramel and ever-so-slight white oak smokiness.
However, when ranged against the Don Julio añejo, Casamigos is nowhere near close.
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Is Trader Joes Tequila Campo Azul Any Good
Trader Joes Tequila Campo Azul has won the San Francisco WSC award in four different years. Plus, the Beverage Testing Institute rated it 92 in 2 different years.
Its ABV is 40%. Proof 80. Distiller: Productos Finos de Agave NOM 1416. The lovely-shaped bottle has a hologram around its neck. Perhaps a sign to prevent fake reproductions.
Its smooth and light!
You can savor the exquisite blend of vanilla, cedar, chamomile, ginger, and pepper. Its aged four months and has a neutral aroma, it has a straw color, and like all good tequilas, its 100% agave.
Can you get any tequila you want from your local grocery stores?
I am afraid the answer is: it depends. Even in 2021, some states dont allow the sale of alcohol, and some have restrictions on the time stores can sell it.
This is what I explored in a recent article of mine. One of the things I shared is a convenient table showing you exactly what you need to know at a glance.
Just click the link to read it on my site.