Tequila Forum

[Max Power]

Went to a friend's house Wednesday night for a few beers and he busted out an unopened bottle of Jose Cuervo Tradicional Reposado. No disrespect to those who might enjoy the stuff but after all the fine quality tequilas I've been sampling lately, I can say unequivocally that I absolutely HATED it from the very first sip. I find it sharp, thin and completely lacking in the floral notes that I've come to enjoy. And talk about a pounding headache yesterday morning!:bigeyes: I'm going to gift my buddy a bottle of Gran Centenario Reposado, which he could have bought for the same price, so he'll have something decent in his cabinet that costs under $25. Or maybe I'll put an extra bottle of Muchote in my shopping cart when I place my on-line order and really treat him to something special and affordable.

Thanks for checking out the site. I know that eventually I have to review the less interesting tequilas and you pretty much have it right with JC Tradicional. This brand is popular in Mexico because it's cheap and available...and they don't drink mixtos like Americans do.

It's not really a tequila meant for sipping. It's not a terrible mixer, but for the money, there's just better values out there. The funny thing is that Gran Cent is made by Casa Cuervo. Same company, but different missions with each tequila. I really like GC because it delivers a nice spice mixture (the anejo is particularly like a bakery) for a good price. That's definitely more of a craft/sipping brand than JC Tradicional.

That's what I try to do with the blog and reviews. Anyone in the world can tell you that a $100 tequila is smooth and tastes good. I'm trying to differentiate so that people know where the best values are based on what their palate likes in a tequila.

Hopefully everyone can learn something and enjoy learning more about what the world of agave juice has to offer. Sorry about making you go broke, but hopefully you're enjoying the ride.

[Clavius]

Alright guys, I picked up a bottle of Don Julio Reposado today. Going to give it a try when I get home!

[bigtoys]

"Max":

glad I checked the nonwhiskey forum and found your tequila recs since I didn't remember them or write them somewhere during last night's chat. I actually fell asleep with the computer on my chest and when I woke up everyone had left.

Looks like Binnys has the Clase Azul Repo and I'm probably gonna get a bottle this weekend. Noticed they also have a $1600 bottle--have you tasted that?

One of my coworkers was asking me about tequilas (he liked my 1921 rec last year) for his 5 de Mayo party and I'm gonna send him your list of 6 and the link to your website.

thanks again.

[Max Power]

"Max":

glad I checked the nonwhiskey forum and found your tequila recs since I didn't remember them or write them somewhere during last night's chat. I actually fell asleep with the computer on my chest and when I woke up everyone had left.

Looks like Binnys has the Clase Azul Repo and I'm probably gonna get a bottle this weekend. Noticed they also have a $1600 bottle--have you tasted that?

One of my coworkers was asking me about tequilas (he liked my 1921 rec last year) for his 5 de Mayo party and I'm gonna send him your list of 6 and the link to your website.

thanks again.

Cool. I just posted a full list of what is currently in my basement in the "collecting" topic on the main page. Clase Azul is very good choice to be a crowd pleaser. It's got a great overall flavor and is mild enough to not offend any palates.

I've never had the $1600 bottle. Honestly, I don't see the point. I've had a few of the $200-300+ tequilas and I don't find any of them to be appreciably better than what can be had for $100 and under. I can't see myself ever paying for those ultra high end ones, but I would certainly drink them for free.

[ebo]

Ok, I just got home with a bottle of Don Julio Reposado, Espolon Repesado and Herradura Anejo.

I've decided that, although I like Blanco Tequilas, I prefer the Repesados, so far. I haven't tried an Anejo, yet. I'm hoping I like those, too.:cool:

[unclebunk]

Ok, I just got home with a bottle of Don Julio Reposado, Espolon Repesado and Herradura Anejo.

I've decided that, although I like Blanco Tequilas, I prefer the Repesados, so far. I haven't tried an Anejo, yet. I'm hoping I like those, too.:cool:

Aha! ebo jumps in with both feet! I suspect you'll love the anejos, and I think Herradura's is a good one. In about forty-five minutes my neighbors are kicking off their Cinco de Mayo party and I'm psyched because the food is always fabulous. They've got three generations of their family cooking up a storm and I'm just about to walk in to gastronomic paradise. Since I can't bring anything food-wise that is terribly authentic, I'm dropping by the party with a case of Victoria beer and bottles of El Tesoro Platinum and Gran Centenario Reposado. That ought to hold 'em!:grin:

[moose]

I've got Espolon Repo, but I think I will also pick up another tequila for tonight, maybe El Jimador Anejo.

[Clavius]

Ok, I just got home with a bottle of Don Julio Reposado, Espolon Repesado and Herradura Anejo.

I've decided that, although I like Blanco Tequilas, I prefer the Repesados, so far. I haven't tried an Anejo, yet. I'm hoping I like those, too.:cool:

How did you try the Don Julio Reposado? What did you think of it?

[bigtoys]

Got a bottle of Clase Azul Reposado and immediately came home and made a margarita: 2 oz tequila, 2 oz. Agavero orange liqueur, 2 oz. freshly squeezed lime juice, 1 oz sugar syrup. Wife approved; could probably up the tequila to 3 oz for a "stiffer" drink. chips and guac, too.

thanks, Max!!

watching the Derby

also got this from the bourbon aisle

[Bmac]

Cool bottle. What's the price range on that?

Also...what is Gawd's name is that blurry green picture? O___O It scares my pancreas!

[bigtoys]

Cool bottle. What's the price range on that?

Also...what is Gawd's name is that blurry green picture? O___O It scares my pancreas!

$99

guac on a blue corn chip--a "little" out of focus, I'll admit

[unclebunk]

...guac on a blue corn chip--a "little" out of focus, I'll admit

Well I'll be damned. My guess was a funky looking green-headed chicken. My brother though said it looked more like my mother-in-law's profile. Come to think of it, he may have a point...

[Max Power]

Cool bottle. What's the price range on that?

Also...what is Gawd's name is that blurry green picture? O___O It scares my pancreas!

You can find Clase Azul online for around $80. It's a fantastic bottle. That's a pricey margarita you're making, but I'm sure it's awesome.

I'm interested to hear what people think of the Don Julio Repo. It's one of my favorites. A great balance of what repo should be.

Espolon is great for the money as well.

I've only hadd Herraddura anejo once an I remember it being pretty good...best of the Herradura line. A bit syrupy, but good flavor.

I'm about to get the kids to bed and start celebrating Cinco de Mayo properly.

[Max Power]

Max Power's Margarita Recipe: (makes a few)

8 oz fresh lime juice

8 oz tequila (I'd list a specific one, but there's too many and depends on mood)

2 oz Grand Marnier

1 oz Cointreau

2 oz Agave Nectar

Shake it up, serve on the rocks...enjoy. It make about 20 ounces, so you get 4 decent ones out of it. Or one really awesome one. :grin:

[redbear]

Anybody have an opinion on the Jose Cuervo Anejo that looks like this bottle? I passed on one the other day. I know they don't make it anymore. Is it tasty enough to buy?

[Max Power]

Anybody have an opinion on the Jose Cuervo Anejo that looks like this bottle? I passed on one the other day. I know they don't make it anymore. Is it tasty enough to buy?

Depends on the price. It's basically similar to the current RdF extra anejo. If it's under $70, it's a steal. Over $100 and they're just trying to gouge you. It's a nice collector bottle though if you're interested in that.

[ebo]

How did you try the Don Julio Reposado? What did you think of it?

I don't know what I was expecting, but it's more "delicate"? than I thought it would be. That isn't a bad thing. I just figured it might be a bit more robust, for some reason. It has a great flavor that I found kind of citric and floral.

I have to admit that I didn't give it a proper sit down tasting. I had people over and I was going between beer and a bottle of Patron that a buddy brought. He wanted to try the Don Julio, so I cracked it open and we had a small taste.

I really need to sit down with a pour and get to know it before I can give a better opinion of it.

[ebo]

Since I'm very new to Tequila, can someone please tell me what NOM means? I see it on tequila forums I've perused, but I have no idea what it means.

[Max Power]

Since I'm very new to Tequila, can someone please tell me what NOM means? I see it on tequila forums I've perused, but I have no idea what it means.

The NOM is the government assigned number for that particular distillery. Having it ensures that the tequila is authentic. The same NOM can produce many different brands. They may be owned by the same company, but it may also be "contract distillery" that produces for a given brand owner.

Here is a link that explains it pretty well:

http://www.tequila.net/faqs/tequila/what-is-the-nom.html

[ebo]

Thanks, Max.

NOM: Norma Oficial Mexicana

[Clavius]

I finally got around to tasting the Don Julio Reposado that I purchased. Let me say that, for someone new to tequila, the nose on this stuff is incredible. I don't even know how to describe most of what I smell, but I like it! Upon tasting it is very smooth yet rich.

[luther.r]

Depends on the price. It's basically similar to the current RdF extra anejo. If it's under $70, it's a steal. Over $100 and they're just trying to gouge you. It's a nice collector bottle though if you're interested in that.

I would say that it's similar to the current RdF but not quite as good. There seems to be some consensus that the JCA is the same juice as the best year or two of RdF from the early 2000s. If it's anywhere under $100 I'd say it's a great buy.

[ebo]

I sat down with the Don Julio Reposado, with a clean palate. This stuff is amazing. The nose is honey and vanilla, which I also get on the palate. It's like drinking a liquid creamsicle with a bit of pepper. :cool:

[Clavius]

I sat down with the Don Julio Reposado, with a clean palate. This stuff is amazing. The nose is honey and vanilla, which I also get on the palate. It's like drinking a liquid creamsicle with a bit of pepper. :cool:

I agree, I'm starting to really like the stuff. Now I want to know what the Anejo tastes like...

[Ejmharris]

Picked up Tres Agave Blanco ($25) and El Mayor Anejo ($29). Both seemed liked good deals and I faintly remember Kevin (maxpower) gave them pretty good write ups. The Tres Agave was a gift pack with a lime squeezer and Agave Nectar bottle. It had a very fresh and clean flavor. I am looking forward getting a lime for a margarita with it but it is very in nice neat. What it makes me think of is that it is a non-tequila drinkers tequila but still all can enjoy. Would be nice to taste a bigger flavor at a higher abv. Is all tequila sold at 80 proof in the US?

As for the El mayor, not sure what to think about it yet. I will say I think it is a nice price at $29 but that was a $10 off sale. I will need to get another pour, but I expected a little more smoothness with this one. It has a fantastic color out of the bottle. Not sure what the regs are for coloring tequila. I like the flavor on the palette just punched you a little on the finish.