Tequila

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Originally Posted by ILLfarmboy

James, How do the 4 Copas offerings compare to El Tesoro?

Since buying a bottle of El Tesoro repasado and a bottle of the blanco the Gran Centenario tequilas taste sweet, too sweet, even the blanco. My wife even commented on how sweet the GC blanco tasted when I gave her a sip of the El Tesoro and then had her try the GC. A few days ago she even requested that I make our Margaritas with the ET platinum. We've never made them at home and I can't recall having one in a restaurant. I used a 2:1:1 ratio. I had mine straight up and she had hers on the rocks. I liked it, but she thought they were a bit too strong with tequila. She liked it better after the ice melted some. I plan on experimenting further when we have tacos for supper again.

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ILLfarmboy, I can't recall the 4 Copas well enough to make an honest comparison. As it was the first tequila that I've had that didn't taste like rot-gut so I was obviously impressed. It got me to go out and try all these others since then. The 4 Copas was not available in my area so I haven't had the opportunity to try it again. I just remember it having a citrus flavor and not being too sweet for sure.

If I ever have the pleasure again I'll report back the new findings.

Cheers!

Enjoying some of that Partida Anejo tonight.

Here's a couple questions.

Definitions and preparation aside, only referring to taste, what's the general difference between anejo and resposado? Especially if you compare the two styles within one brand head to head.

Second question: more specifically, what about Herradura Anejo vs Herradura Resposado?

Here's my very extremely limited experience with better tequilas. I was introduced to Chinaco, my first 'sipping' tequila. I've tried a few other brown ones, sorta recall the brands, but I didn't know to pay attention to the rest of the title.

In general always preferred the brown ones vs blanco or silver. Although I have had at least one blanco that I really liked. But all my trials were in bars, many years ago, can't remember all I've had.

So recently I was in a liquor store, trying to decide on a brown tequila. I was flying blind, I hadn't done a bit of research. Generally I don't like putting money down without spending at least a few minutes googling a couple reviews.

Based on a neck tag bragging about some awards, I settled on something I had never tried up to that point: Herradura Anejo. I can't imagine tequila being better than this.

I've noticed that with rum I tend to prefer anejo rums. I'm really curious about Herradura Resposado as compared to Herradura Anejo.

OK here is the lowdown woith definitions and then Ill get into taste.

Blanco - unaged tequila normally clear
Reposado - up to 1 year of barrel aging
Anejo - 1-3 yea barrel aging
Extra Anejo - 3+ years of barrel aging

It seems you prefer anejos (like me) as they are more mellow and I think have more characteristics than unaged (blanco) tequila. IMO reposados are the best for margaritas though. So, the difference between Herradura anejo and reposado is just time spent in barrel which makes the anejo type taste more mellow and "smoother".


If you liked Herradura anjeo then Herradura Sellecion Suprema Extra anejo (HSS) would blow you away!

Other good ones out there.

"Affordable":
El Tesoro anejo - this started my lovefest with tequila $40-50
Tonala Suprema Reserva - $40

More luxury:
Don Julio 1942 - $80ish
El Tesoro Paradiso - $100ish
HSS - $300ish
Don Fulano Imperial - $100ish

I used to always recommend JCRF (Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia) which is a tequila that comes out each year with a newly designed box by some artist. The 04s were amazing and most of the releases since its inception in 1995 were amazing. Since 04 the 05, 06, 07, and 08 are just not even close to 04 and and earlier vintages. The 09 has some promise and I am awaiting a sample before I buy it. I just wanted to add that as it seems to be a tequila that is becmiing more readily available. Price is around 80-100. It used to be the ONLY Cuervo product worth buying (barring the 1800 Collecion which is in the 1000s), but I wouldnt bother until they release a worthy vintage OR you get an 04.

Thankfully, I have 4-5 bottles of the 04 bunkered. I am hoping JC will turn it around, but they are probably too big to care.

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Originally Posted by Vange

I used to always recommend JCRF (Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia) which is a tequila that comes out each year with a newly designed box by some artist. The 04s were amazing and most of the releases since its inception in 1995 were amazing. Since 04 the 05, 06, 07, and 08 are just not even close to 04 and and earlier vintages. The 09 has some promise and I am awaiting a sample before I buy it. I just wanted to add that as it seems to be a tequila that is becmiing more readily available. Price is around 80-100. It used to be the ONLY Cuervo product worth buying (barring the 1800 Collecion which is in the 1000s), but I wouldnt bother until they release a worthy vintage OR you get an 04.

Thankfully, I have 4-5 bottles of the 04 bunkered. I am hoping JC will turn it around, but they are probably too big to care.

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I disagree about it being the ONLY Cuervo product worth buying (barring the 1800 Collecion). I thought the Jose Cuervo Anejo was excellent, IMO just as good as any JCRF and only half the cost. But that's just my opinion, I know many on the tequila forums don't agree. And of course the Jose Cuervo Anejo is no longer sold and very hard to find, so I guess it's not very relevant, but I wanted to mention it.

I would also agree JCA is another quality Cuervo product, but as you mentioned no longer available. Rumor has it is similar to JCRF in its heyday.

For our annual Cinco de Mayo party, I always pick up a couple good Anejo's or Reposado's for drinking as a toast later in the evening. One of the bottles this year, was 1921 Reserva Especial. It has many bourbon qualities to it. Kinda mapley, caramelly. It was fantastic. To date, this is the best tequila I've ever tasted. :yum:

What no love for the Don Julio Anejo?

I used to be an avid Tequila drinker. Part of the reason I got out of it was that most bottles I liked suddenly jumped up into the $50 range.

I prefer Blanco's and Reposado's now as I find most Anejo's unsuited to my palette for anything other than an after dinner drink.

I think Milagro Reposado isn't a bad deal here @ $33 and goes great with beer!

Anejo is just woodier and I usually prefer a reposado. Herradura is one of my favorites and I prefer the reposado there. I haven't sampled a lot of other lines comparing the different styles in the line, so maybe with other brands I would prefer the anejo. I also like Hornitos, which is the reposado version of Sauza, and El Jimador Reposado, which is Herradura's value brand. If I want to try a new tequila, I usually start with the reposado. It's a very personal preference thing, so your results may vary.