What Tequila do you recommend?

[scratchline]

My favorite is Chinaco. I like the reposado, but they're all good. Truly a different animal from run-of-the-mill cheap tequila. To me, the reposado straight almost tastes like a cocktail, since it's got so much going on.

The New York Times did a comparative reposado tasting recently, which has some interesting comments.

[Edward_call_me_Ed]

snip
I just can't go below 1800 for anything and find that gold stuff worthless even for margaritas.

Anyway I appear to be one of the few that enjoys sipping on the Silver Tequilas (Blanco and Plata). And yes Chuck sipping on a Tequila is every bit as enjoyable as sipping on a whiskey. I find my bourbon glass works well for this and I do add a squeeze of a fresh lime wedge.... Yummy!

And about Ceurvo Rezerve DL; yeah it is exceptional stuff. I can get it around here just under $80 which is spendy, but dam is it good!

Herradura Silver seems to be the Tequila for me. I like it neat and in a margarita. I like its peppery taste. I like the price point too. At around 2,200 yen or just under 20 bucks US it is barely more expensive than a mixto. In fact it is cheaper than some aged mixtos.

1800 confuses me. I have seen three different 1800s, all of them were Reposado. One was 100% agave quite dark and quiet expensive, around 80 bucks. Another one was around 30 bucks, but I couldn't find 100 % agave anywhere on the label so it must have been a mixto. Then there is the bottle that I bought, Reposado, 100% agave, not very dark and around 30 bucks. Very drinkable, but I think I prefer Herradura Silver.


Ed

[Vange]

I concur, the 1800s are very confusing. There are definitely different grades of them though. If they say 100% blue agave obviously they are better than the mixtos, (Cuervo 1800 gold, etc) but I still think they are lacking something.

I have tasted the 1800 Reserva anejo ($50), it's ok.
The 1800 Milenio (bottled for the millenium 6 yers ago), again, its average.
Then there is also a 1800 Coleccion. ($1000+ per bottle!) I know a few people that have tried it and they said it's DEFINITELY not worth the price.

As far as Cuervo goes, the Gran Centenario line is a Cuervo product and quite good for the price (2 of the highter end anejos are only available in Mexico).

The JCRF is the best Cuervo product IMHO.

[SingleBarrel]

Anyone here ever tried the recently added Cuervo Black Anejo Tequila? Amazingly smooth, aged in (you guessed it) apparenly new charred oak barrels, giving it a nice smoky taste, and also very inexpensive, especially for a true Anejo. It's not something I'd call my favorite tequila, but it is something unique. Almost too smooth for me, but it's interesting.

[Vange]

JC Black is a mixto. The genius Cuervo marketing labeled the bottles 100% anejo to be misleading. A tequila is either a blanco, reposado, or anejo. No variation like 20% blanco and 80% anejo exists. So, 100% anejo is redundant. You are either aged over a year and thus an anejo, or less than a year and a reposado, or not aged at all and a blanco. 100% blue agave is the key.

[Virus_Of_Life]

Herradura Silver seems to be the Tequila for me. I like it neat and in a margarita. I like its peppery taste. I like the price point too. At around 2,200 yen or just under 20 bucks US it is barely more expensive than a mixto. In fact it is cheaper than some aged mixtos.

1800 confuses me. I have seen three different 1800s, all of them were Reposado. One was 100% agave quite dark and quiet expensive, around 80 bucks. Another one was around 30 bucks, but I couldn't find 100 % agave anywhere on the label so it must have been a mixto. Then there is the bottle that I bought, Reposado, 100% agave, not very dark and around 30 bucks. Very drinkable, but I think I prefer Herradura Silver.


Ed

You can get Herrdura Silver for under $20 Ed??!?!?!?! Holy Crap that is a damn good deal! I picked up and since finished a bottle a while back for $29.99 on sale and that was the best I have EVER seen... I'd never run out of it at that price.

Anyway, I don't put it in a margarita though, I enjoy it straight too much to do that. Interesting that around here 1800 is the cheaper of the two where there it is the Herradura.

[CrispyCritter]

I've never tried Cuervo Black, but more than once I've seen it in the whiskey aisle, and not among the tequilas. I'm wondering if this is on purpose.

FWIW, I've loved the Distinguido 100% agave reposado that I have on my shelf. The silver and añejo versions that I tasted were also quite good, but I felt that the reposado was the most versatile of the three.

[gr8erdane]

Gran Centenario is made by Cuervo? Say it ain't so! No really, PLEASE, say it ain't so.....

[Vange]

GC is made by Cuervo. Cuervo has a long and rich history, it's just the mass production of the swill they produce that gives tequila and name and Cuervo a bad name. If you try JC Reserva de la Familia you'll have a new found respect for Cuervo. Also, the GC lin of tequilas are good as well. They DO know how to make tequila, but they are brilliant marketers and JC mixto can be found in every bar in America.

[Frodo]

I agree with Evangelos. I've had the JCRF and it's REALLY good. The Gran Centenario Anjeo I've had, and it's one of those "bang for the buck" tequilas at prices inside Mexico. Nothing like the regular Cuervo swill...