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Archive for the ‘Tequila’ Category

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2017 Rum Howler Awards For Tequila

Posted by Arctic Wolf on January 2, 2017

rh-winner2017

Beginning in 2015, I made a concentrated effort to make the Agave Spirit a larger part of my website. I began with my Rum Howler 2015 Margarita Challenge and, as part of that effort, designed my version of the quintessential tequila cocktail just for the competition, the Alfred Cointreau Margarita Cocktail. That effort triggered a response from industry as Tequila producers began to take note of my website, and I was contacted to provide spirit reviews from many new producers.

Margarita

Margarita Cocktail

Alas the quirks of Canadian Customs and Excise scared more than a few of these companies away as getting me samples is not easy if you are not based in Canada. However, a steady trickle of samples began to cross my desk and my Tequila Review Page began to grow. That trickle continued into 2016, and not only did the quantity of tequila which I was able to taste increase, the quality of tequila which I was exposed to went off the charts. This new high quality of agave spirit is reflected in the 2017 Rum Howler Awards for Tequila.  (I did make one significant change this year bringing my awards forward one year such that my awards would be in the same calendar year as the awards from other publications and websites.)

As most of you know, when I conduct my deliberations for my annual Rum Howler Awards. I consider not only the spirits which I received as samples in the given year, I also include the samples from the previous year. This means that the body of spirits for my 2016 Rum Howler Awards for Tequila represent the best agave spirits I have tasted to this point.

Here is a link to my 2017 Rum Howler Awards for Tequila:

The 2017 Rum Howler Awards – The Year in Tequila

 

 

Posted in Awards, Extras, Tequila, Tequila Review | Tagged: , , | Comments Off on 2017 Rum Howler Awards For Tequila

Review: Cabresto Don Silver Reserve Series Extra Añejo

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 29, 2016

Extra Anejo (Cabresto) SAM_2574On March 7th, 2016 Tequila Cabresto released the latest addition to their line of premium tequila, Don Silver Reserve Series Extra Añejo. This is a 100 % agave tequila which (according to the media information sent to me) has been aged for seven years in American white oak former whiskey barrels.

Although the Cabresto website does not specify the exact distillery which produces this agave spirit, I did notice that the identified NOM on the bottom of the label 1509. This NOM identifier is required by the Mexican Government to be placed on the label of each bottle of tequila to verify that it is produced legally from agave sourced in the Tequila region of Mexico. Each distillery has its own NOM, and thus we can trace the distillery of origin. In this case the producing distillery is Tequila Embajador who incidentally also produce Alma de Agave and of course Embajador Tequila.

Here is a Link to my full review of this rare extra-anejo tequila from Cabresto:

Review: Cabresto Don Silver Reserve Series Extra Añejo

“… The extra-anejo spirit brings light sandalwood and oak spices into the air alongside a nice rich agave presence. Light caramel scents accent the agave and the oak, and as I continue to nose the glass the three aspects of the aroma seem to merge together forming a lightly sweet impression of agave oak syrup. Peppery spices build up as does the firm earthy agave presence. Tea leaves, bits of milk chocolate and hints of cinnamon round out the nose which is very inviting …”

Please enjoy my review of this outstanding aged spirit.

Chimo!

Posted in Extra Anejo Tequila, Tequila, Tequila Review | Tagged: , , , | Comments Off on Review: Cabresto Don Silver Reserve Series Extra Añejo

Review: Herencia Historico Tequila – 27 de Mayo 1997 (Cristalino)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 26, 2016

Historica Cristalino SAM_2582Herencia Tequila is 100% Blue Weber Agave Tequila produced by TEQUILAS DEL SEÑOR, S. A. DE C. V.,  a mid-sized, fourth generation family company located in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. The company was founded in 1943 and currently produces a number of tequila brands which include, Reserva del Señor, Sombrero, Tekali, and of course Herencia de Plata.

Herencia Historico Tequila 27 de Mayo 1997 was created by Tequilas del Senor to commemorate the recognition of the domination of origin, TEQUILA which was signed in Brussels Belgium, on May 27, 1997. Three expressions commemorate this historical event, the Extra Anejo 15 Anos, the Extra Anejo 5 Anos, and the Extra Anejo 5 Anos Cristalino. All of these expressions are 100 % Agave tequilas which have been aged in oak casks imported from Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. The Cristalino (which is the subject of this review) is aged for 5 years and is then triple filtered to produce an almost clear spirit which is bottled at 35 % alcohol by volume.

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Herencia Historico Tequila – 27 de Mayo 1997 (Cristalino)

“… The nose is very interesting as the filtering has muted much of the oak and wood spice to the point that all I can decipher (of the woody notes) is a light piny scent which resembles sandalwood. The typically strong earthy note of agave has only a fraction of its former power as well. Within these muted scents of oak and agave are additional mild herbal aromas (menthol and licorice) and a pleasingly sweet smell of toasted marshmallow …”

Please enjoy my review of this special commemorative aged tequila.

Chimo!

Posted in Extra Anejo Tequila, Tequila, Tequila Review | Tagged: , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Review: Casamigos Añejo Tequila

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 17, 2016

Cas Amigos An SAM_2577Casamigos is a tequila brand promoted by George Clooney, Rande Gerber and Mike Meldman. According to the website information this is an ultra premium tequila made in a small batch process from ‘hand-selected 100% Blue Weber agaves, grown in the rich red clay and cool climate of the Highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. As a highland tequila, we can expect Casamigos to exhibit strong fruity citrus notes and to have a little hot pepper in the delivery and in the finish. (This is as opposed to lowland tequila which has stronger earthier flavours of agave and less hot pepper.)

The Casamigos website tells us that the piñas of the hand selected agave are roasted in traditional brick ovens for 72 hours prior to their fermentation. During a long 80 hour fermentation, these piñas are exposed a special blend of yeast said to maintain a ‘consistent, refined flavor’. The Añejo Tequila is rested in American Oak for 14 months before being bottled at 40 % alcohol by volume.

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Casamigos Añejo Tequila

“… The spirit in the glass is quite nice to nose. A light sweetness of caramel is combined with a light dusting of oak and sandalwood and a gentle sweep of vanilla. These notes are followed by a firm but slightly muted fruity agave presence. It takes a few minutes but eventually spicy notes of white pepper and hot citrus zest begin to break though as well …”

Please enjoy my review and the cocktail recipes included within, Chimo!

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Review: Cabresto Don Silver Reserve Añejo

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 14, 2016

Cabresto Anejo SAM_2578Tequila Cabresto, imported by Cabresto Imports Corporation, is a brand rooted as solidly in Detroit as they are in Arandas, Mexico. Tequila Cabresto is a family owned brand with duties spread across two generations of the Lopez family. Founder Silverio Lopez runs the family ranch in Arandas and cares for the agave until its reached peak yield. His son Antonio is learning the craft of growing the best agave in the world and currently handles the branding and exportation of Cabresto to the US. Daughter Sonia is the first Lopez to graduate college and is spearheading the US operations of Cabresto Imports Corporation. They do all this while maintaining the family tire shop in Southwest Detroit.

In December, Cabresto released their Don Silverio Reserve Añejo. Aged for 18 months in American white oak barrels, Cabresto Añejo was the first spirit in the Cabresto line-up to feature Tequila Cabresto‘s new shorter more premium bottle and modernized logo.

Here is a link to my review:

Review: Cabresto Don Silver Reserve Añejo

“… The initial aroma from the glass continues to excite me as my nostrils are greeted by clean oak spices which have been accented by citrus zest and white pepper. Fruity agave reaches up as well melding itself into the clean spicy aroma. I catch faint whispers of grilled pineapple and baked garden squash, a light winding of vanilla as well as lovely, faint impressions of mint and cinnamon …”

Please enjoy my review as I continue to climb the ladder towards the top of the Cabresto Tequila line-up.  Chimo!

Posted in Anejo Tequila, Tequila | Tagged: , , , | Comments Off on Review: Cabresto Don Silver Reserve Añejo

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