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Posts Tagged ‘Mixto’

Review: Olmeca Gold Tequila

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 21, 2018

Olmeca is a Tequila brand owned by Pernod Ricard, distributed by Corby Brands here in Canada. The line-up features three sub brands, Olmeca (which is a Mixto), Olmeca Altos (which is a 100 % Blue Weber Agave tequila) , and Olmeca Tezón (which is 100% Blue Weber Agave and which is produced from 100 % Tahona crushed agave). All of these sub brands are double distilled from Mexican Blue Agave in Copper Pot Stills. As well each of the brands will contain some distillate from the juice of agave which has been crushed in the traditional method with a two ton Tahona millstone.

Capeador

According to the NOM identifier on the bottle’s back label (NOM 1111 CRT), Pernod Ricard produces the spirit at the Pernod Ricard Mexico Distillery in Arandas, Jalisco which would suggest that Olmeca is a highland Tequila. However, because Olmeca Blanco Clasico is a mixto rather than a 100 % Agave tequila, we cannot be sure that all of the agave within the spirit comes from the same growing region. As well mixto Tequila may also contain up to 49 % by volume of spirit distilled from other sugars.

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Olmeca Gold Tequila

“… herbaceaous with an assertive agave presence. The fruity agave aroma caries smells of mushy banana and baked squash as well as a peppery spice in the form of white pepper and lime zest. This initial punch of earthy agave dissipates quickly, and is replaced by a light cane sweetness and indications of fine citrus zest …”

Please enjoy my review as well as my newest cocktail recommendation, the Capeador.

Chimo!

 

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Review: Jose Cuervo Especial Gold

Posted by Arctic Wolf on April 16, 2018

The Jose Cuervo Especial is available as both a Gold or ‘joven’ tequila and as a Silver or ‘plata’ tequila. These tequila spirits are not made from 100 % blue agave which means that they are referred to in the industry as “Mixto“. A Mixto tequila must have at least 51 % of its volume made from blue agave distillate, but the other 49 % can be distilled from other non agave sugars (usually sugar cane). Mixto is also subject to less stringent regulation with respect to additives such as sugar syrup and caramel. In the case of the Jose Cuervo Especial Gold, the information presented to me is that the joven spirit is made from a blend of reposado (aged) and younger tequilas. It is bottled at 40% alcohol by volume.

(In July of 2013, Proximo Spirits acquired the distribution rights for the Jose Cuervo brand.)

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Jose Cuervo Especial Gold

“… The breezes above the glass have a light alcohol taint alongside a mixture of caramel, mild white pepper and a somewhat muted herbaceous agave (the smell of which resembles boiled squash or cooked pumpkin). As I let the glass sit, the sweetness seems to increase a little and I catch an almost rum-like indication of sugar cane. Citrus zest joins in …”

Please enjoy my review which includes my cocktail suggestion, the Dreadful Lemon Sky.

Chimo!

 

Posted in Mixto Tequila, Tequila, Tequila Review | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Jose Cuervo Especial Gold

Review: Alamo Gold Tequila

Posted by Arctic Wolf on January 22, 2018

Alamo is a tequila brand sold by Minhas Distilleries in Western Canada. I reviewed part of the portfolio a few years ago; but recently I noticed that a change had occurred concerning the distillery of origin for the tequila brand. In my previous review I had noted that the Nom on my sample bottles was 1529, which indicated that the spirit was produced by Agaveros y Tequileros Unidos de Los Altos, a tequila producer which typically distills agave grown in Los Altos, the highlands of Mexico’s tequila producing region. However, the spirit sold by Minhas now carries a different Nom (1438) indicating that the distillery of origin for the current spirit is Destiladora del Valle de Tequila, S.A. de C.V., a producer which typically uses both highland and lowland agave in its production of Tequila.

The change of Nom upon the tequila bottle is a signal that the spirit may have undergone significant changes, and a new series of reviews is in order. I thought I would take the opportunity to review not only the Reposado and Anejo tequila which I analyzed a few years ago but also the Gold and Blanco tequila which are part of the Alamo line-up.

Here is a link to my review of the Alamo Gold Tequila:

Review: Alamo Gold Tequila

“… When I took my first sip of the gold tequila I noticed that the spirit was lightly sweet. The agave complexity was masked somewhat by this light sweetness with earthy agave flavours of baked squash, grilled pineapple and banana sitting a little further back in the flavour profile slightly behind the sweetness …”

Please enjoy the review which include my cocktail recommendation, the Toreador.

Chimo!

 

Posted in Mixto Tequila, Tequila, Tequila Review | Tagged: , , , , | 3 Comments »

Review: Olmeca Blanco Tequila Clasico

Posted by Arctic Wolf on July 31, 2015

_0114_olmecablancoOlmeca is a Tequila brand owned by Pernod Ricard, distributed by Corby Brands here in Canada. The line-up features three sub brands, Olmeca (which is a Mixto), Olmeca Altos (which is a 100 % Blue Weber Agave tequila) , and Olmeca Tezón (which is 100% Blue Weber Agave and which is produced from 100 % Tahona crushed agave).

Tequila Sunrise

Tequila Sunrise

All of these sub brands are double distilled from Mexican Blue Agave in Copper Pot Stills. As well each of the brands will contain some distillate from the juice of agave which has been crushed in the traditional method with a two ton Tahona millstone.

Here is a link to my full review of Olmeca Blanco Tequila Clasico:

Review: Olmeca Blanco Tequila Clasico

“… I noticed an aggressive punch of smokey agave filled the air. The aroma vanished as quickly as I noticed it, and even when I took a cautious sniff from my glass, I could not locate that same punch of punky fruit and smoke. Instead, I noticed a peppery effervescence which was combined with mild agave aromas and a light sweetness which reminded me of cane …”

Please enjoy my review which ends with a nice cocktail suggestion, the Tequila Sunrise.

Chimo!

 

 

Posted in Blanco Tequila, Mixto Tequila, Tequila | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: Olmeca Blanco Tequila Clasico

2015 Margarita Challenge #7 – Jose Cuervo Especial Plata

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 12, 2015

Cuervo Margarita

Cuervo Margarita

The next entry in my 2015 Margarita Challenge is a spirit which caused more dissension amongst my judges than any other. Amongst the four Rum Chums who acted on my jury panel they was no agreement whatsoever regarding the Jose Cuervo Especial Plata. Two members of the panel had the spirit ranked near the top. One judge had the spirit ranked somewhere in the middle and one judge had it ranked well down her list. (In the case of every other agave spirit, my judges were very consistent in their rankings.)

When all the scores were tabulated and adjusted, the Jose Cuervo Especial Plata (a Mixto rather than a 100 % agave spirit) settled into the top 10 as the 7th best blanco tequila for Margarita Cocktails.

You can read my newly revised review here:

Review: Jose Cuervo Especial Plata

“… The entry into the mouth is smooth and unobtrusive with an obvious sweetness which again reminds me of cane syrup. The fruity agave is not aggressive; and there is only a mild white pepper spice heating the palate. Some lemon and lime accents are present …”

The Jose Cuervo Especial Plata lacks the “in your face” earthy herbaceousness and the spicy heat of a typical Blanco Tequila. It is instead, smooth and easy to drink; and carries a cane-like sweetness forward which will appeal to many people. Although the spirit lacks the character of a true 100 % Agave tequila; it nevertheless performs very well as a cocktail spirit.

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Note: If you wish to follow my 2015 Rum Howler Margarita Countdown, I have created a summary page which will list all of the results as they are published. That page is available here:

2015 Rum Howler Margarita Countdown

Posted in Awards, Mixto Tequila, Tequila, Tequila Review | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on 2015 Margarita Challenge #7 – Jose Cuervo Especial Plata

 
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