All things considered, I had a pretty good year with respect to the spirit called Tequila in 2012. I was able to help in a small way with Edmonton’s first Tequila festival earlier this month, and I was able to double the number of reviews here on my website. Although Tequila has a small following in my local market (relative to rum and whisky), that small group of tequila aficionados is very passionate about their favourite spirit; and, I believe that group of Tequila lovers is steadily growing!

In an effort to recognize the growing importance of this spirit in not only my locale, but also as a global spirit; I have decided this year to give Tequila its own awards page on my website this year (last year I grouped the Gin, Tequila and Vodka Awards together all on the same page). All of my 2012 Rum Howler Awards are based upon side by side tastings of the various spirits which are in competition for each particular award. It is a process which takes a little time to work through which means I begin my tastings early in September and do not finish until near the end of September. It is my policy that all spirit samples which I receive in a given year are automatically considered for my awards. I do my review, and then I set aside the remainder of the spirit for the end of the year judging. This year, for the first time, I also received additional industry samples specifically for my Rum Howler Awards.

And so without further ado, it is time for me to reveal the recipients of the 2012 Rum Howler Awards for Excellence in the Production of Tequila. These Awards are for the best Tequila Spirits I encountered in the year 2012.

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The 2012 Rum Howler Award for Best Blanco Tequila

and the winner is:

Avion Silver Tequila

Runner-up award to: Herencia de Plata (Blanco)

Honourable Mention to Cruz Del Sol Silver Tequila

It was a good year for Tequila on my website as I was able to taste many new spirits as well as to revisit several that I had been introduced to previously. One of the Tequila spirits which blew me away was Avion. To be honest, I was unimpressed when I saw the bottle, and the marketing. But when I tasted it, I was converted rather quickly. This is not only the best Blanco tequila, it might well be the best white spirit I sampled all year.

To choose the winner of this category I made two of my favourite cocktails, Metro Mexico, and the Margarita and I balanced the performance of the tequila in these cocktails against the flavour when sipped neat at room temperature.

(Considered for this award were Avion Silver Tequila, Cabo Wabo Blanco, Corralejo Tequila Blanco, Cruz Del Sol Silver Tequila, Don Julio Blanco, Herencia de Plata (Blanco),Hornitos Plata Tequila, and Patrón Silver Tequila)

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The 2012 Rum Howler Award for Best Reposado Tequila

and the winner is:

Herencia de Plata (Reposado)

Runner-up award to Cruz del Sol Tequila (Reposado)

Honorable Mention to Patron Reposado Tequila

For this category, I again made some cocktails, the first being A Deadly Shade of Gold and the second, the Royal Alexander Margarita. I also tasted each spirit neat. I placed 50 % of the weight upon the cocktails and 50 % of the weight upon how the spirit tasted when served neat at room temperature.

The Herencia de Plata Reposado was the winning Reposado Tequila, although I feel compelled to say that the Cruz del Sol Reposado was  a very close second place. I gave the Patron Reposado Tequila an honourable mention as it seemed to also separate itself from the rest of the pack as I was doing my tastings.

(Considered for this award were Alamo Reposado Tequila, Cruz del Sol Tequila Reposado, Heradurra Reposado, Herencia de Plata (Reposado), Hornitos Reposado Tequila, and Patron Reposado Tequila)

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The 2012 Rum Howler Award for Best Anejo Tequila

and the winner is:

1921 Añejo Tequila

Runner-up award to Patrón Añejo Tequila

Honorable Mention to Alamo Añejo Tequila

The 1921 Anejo Tequila is simply outstanding. It is one of those spirits which tastes great the first time you sip it, and then as you let the spirit breathe, the tequila  gains even more character in the glass. I judged the spirits sipping them neat and in a cocktail I call, Maximiliano. In each setting the 1921 Anejo Tequila was simply superior to the rest of the field.

(Considered for this award were 1921 Añejo Tequila, Agave 99 Anejo Tequila, Alamo Añejo Tequila, and Patrón Añejo Tequila)

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The Winners:

The 2012 Rum Howler Award for Best Blanco Tequila:  Avion Silver Tequila

The 2012 Rum Howler Award for Best Reposado Tequila:  Herencia de Plata (Reposado)

The 2012 Rum Howler Award for Best Anejo Tequila :  1921 Añejo Tequila

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The Runner-ups:

The 2012 Rum Howler Runner-up Award for Best Blanco Tequila: Herencia de Plata (Blanco)

The 2012 Rum Howler Runner-up Award for Best Reposado Tequila: Cruz del Sol Tequila (Reposado)

The 2012 Rum Howler Runner-up Award for Best Anejo Tequila: Patrón Añejo Tequila

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The Honourable Mentions:

The 2012 Rum Howler Honourable Mention Award for Best Blanco Tequila: Cruz Del Sol Silver Tequila

The 2012 Rum Howler Honourable Mention Awards for Best Reposado Tequila: Patron Reposado Tequila

The 2012 Rum Howler Honourable Mention Award for Best Anejo Tequila: Alamo Añejo Tequila

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