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Archive for the ‘Tequila’ Category

Review: Espolon Reposado Tequila

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 11, 2016

Lonely Silver Rain SAM_2572Espolon is a tequila brand created by Master Distiller Cirilo Oropeza. This is a premium tequila made in a small batch process from ‘hand-selected 100% Blue Weber agave, grown in the rich red clay and cool climate of the Highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. At that facility piñas of the hand selected agave are cooked for 18 to 20 hours prior to their fermentation. They apparently use a slower distillation technique than is in use at most other facilities, and when the spirit is finished, their Espolon Reposado Tequila is aged in new American Oak barrels for 6 months, filtered and then bottled at 40 % alcohol by volume.

The Espolon website tells us that the company likes to play rock music at their facilities to ‘inspire’ the agave. I did a little follow-up research and found a question and answer session with the Espolon Master Distiller, Cirilo Oropeza on the Campari America (the brand owner) website (see here) where the Mr. Oropeza admits he actually prefers to play classical music instead. This is because (according to Oropeza when referring to classical music), “it’s not so fast, not so crazy, it’s gentler for the yeast.” 

Here is a link to my full review of the Espolon Reposado Tequila which apparently is produced after exposure to in interesting range of musical styles:

Review: Espolon Reposado Tequila

“… The first sip brings a slight coolness to the palate a we have a light menthol-like flavour melded into the soft agave and peppery spice of the highland tequila. A mild but firm impression of sweetness comes through as well resembling light butterscotch lying alongside the agave. There is a gentle vanilla presence, hints of cinnamon and milk chocolate and a scattering of sandalwood spice …”

Please enjoy my latest review as I continue to walk on the wild side with the agave spirit, Chimo!

 

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Review: Cabresto Reposado Tequila

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 30, 2016

Cabresto repo SAM_2550Tequila 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.

Cabresto Reposado Tequila is a pure 100% Agave tequila. The agave fields, and the distillery which produces the tequila are located in Atotonilco in the highlands of Los Altos de Jalisco, Mexico. The harvested agave is cooked in an adobe furnace that softens the plant’s fibers and transforms its starches into sugars. Once cooked and rested the agave is passed through a shredder to separate the coarse fibers, then through rollers to squeeze out its sweet juice. Once distilled, the reposado tequila is aged in charred white oak barrels for a period of over six months, and then bottled at 40 % alcohol by volume.

Here is a link to my review of the Cabresto Reposado Tequila:

Review: Cabresto Reposado Tequila

“… When I bring the spirit to my nose I notice the breezes carry a very light honeyed caramel scent into the air beside a warm punky agave fruit. There is some spicy white pepper and some mild indications of sandal wood and oak spice. The notes are not aggressive but they are firm. As the glass breathes I notice impressions of scattered tea leaves, a light herbal quality reminiscent of fall grass which has just turned dry enough to cut for hay, and bits of menthol. These impressions are slippery and vague yet they serve to give the Reposado Tequila a bit of added character …”

Please enjoy the review, Chimo!

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Review: Corralejo Reposado Tequila

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 27, 2016

Corralejo Repo SAM_2537Hacienda Corralejo was established in 1775 by Don Pedro Sanchez de Tagle in the Mexican State of Guanajuato. The distillery (Nom 1368 CRT) uses traditional methods of fermentation and distillation with clay ovens used to cook the agave and copper pot stills used for the distillation.

According to the Corralejo website their Reposado Tequila is an aged in America Oak barrels. As a reposado spirit, the tequila must be aged a minimum of two months, but less than a year in oak barrels of any size. I could find no information on the company website indicating the exact aging time for this brand; it could be that the time of aging varies depending upon when the master blender feels the spirit is ready to be bottled. The website indicates the Corralejo Reposado is bottled at 38 % alcohol by volume which is probably true for the domestic market; however, my sample bottle ( available in Canada) is labelled, 40 % alcohol by volume which is also the bottling proof of the spirit in the USA.

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Corralejo Reposado Tequila

“… The nose of the glass carries a mixture of caramel/ butterscotch, light fruity agave and mild white pepper. Both the aroma of agave and spicy pepper were muted which gives me the impression that this reposado tequila promises to be very approachable. After waiting for a few minutes I nosed the glass again hoping to find a more assertive agave aroma, but the glass remains dominated by light caramel and vanilla …”

Please enjoy my review, Chimo!

 

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Review: Espolon Blanco Tequila

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 18, 2016

Espolon BlancoEspolon is a tequila brand created by Master Distiller Cirilo Oropeza. This is an premium tequila made in a small batch process from ‘hand-selected 100% Blue Weber agave, grown in the rich red clay and cool climate of the Highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. The Espolon website tells us that the company likes to play rock music at their facilities to ‘inspire’ the agave.

At that facility piñas of the hand selected agave are cooked for 18 to 20 hours prior to their fermentation. They apparently use a slower distillation technique than is in use at most other facilities, and when the spirit is finished, their Espolon Blanco tequila is rested, filtered and then bottled at 40 % alcohol by volume.

Here is a link to the full review:

Review: Espolon Blanco Tequila 

“… The initial aroma somewhat earthy as a firm agave scent rises into the air. The punky agave gives me impressions of both baked squash and lightly sweet grilled pineapple. A light citrus zest is apparent as is some spicy white pepper. Taking my time with the glass, I seem to notice some softer notes of vanilla and menthol in the breezes which perhaps hints an underlying softness which may become apparent upon tasting …”

Please enjoy my review. In the next few days I will be taking a detour to try the new Pusser’s Spiced Rum, Chimo!

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Review: Cabresto Silver Tequila

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 15, 2016

Cabresto Silver SAM_2528

Tequila Cabresto, imported by Cabresto Imports Corporation, is a brand rooted as solidly in Detroit as they are in Arandas, Mexico. It 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 agave and currently handles the branding and exportation of Cabresto to the United States. Silverio’s daughter, Sonia, is the first Lopez to graduate college and is spearheading the US operations of the Cabresto Imports Corporation. They do all this while maintaining the family tire shop in Southwest Detroit.

Cabresto Silver Tequila is a pure 100% Agave tequila. The agave fields, and the distillery which produces the tequila are located in Atotonilco in the highlands of Los Altos de Jalisco, Mexico. The harvested agave is cooked in an adobe furnace that softens the plant’s fibers and transforms its starches into sugars. Once cooked and rested the agave is passed through a shredder to separate the coarse fibers, then through rollers to squeeze out its sweet juice.

As a highland tequila,we can expect the Cabresto Tequila 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.)

Cabresto Silver Tequila is bottled at 40 % alcohol by volume.

Here is a link to my full review of a blanco tequila which I have found to be ridiculously good:

Review: Cabresto Silver Tequila

“… The fruity agave seems to hint at impressions of baked garden squash, grilled pineapple and mushy banana. As I am enjoying the aroma, I notice citrus spice and herb pepper building up and breaking free from the earthy agave notes. Perhaps I am noticing a hint of cinnamon and a touch of soothing menthol in the breezes as well …”

Please enjoy my review of this outstanding silver tequila, Chimo!

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