Tequila and Mescal Reviews
Tequila Reviews:
- 1800 Reserva Silver Tequila (87)
- 1800 Reserva Reposado (82)
- 1921 Blanco Tequila (85)
- 1921 Reposado Tequila (87.5)
- 1921 Añejo Tequila (93)
- Adictivo Tequila Plata (86.5)
- Adictivo Tequila Reposado (82)
- Adictivo Tequila Anejo (81)
- Agave 99 Anejo Tequila (80.5)
- Alamo Gold Tequila (77.5)
- Alamo Blanco Tequila (82.5)
- Alamo Reposado Tequila (86)
- Alamo Añejo Tequila (87)
- Avion Silver Tequila (87)
- Cabo Wabo Blanco (84.5)
- Cabo Wabo Reposado (86.5)
- Cabresto Silver Tequila (93)
- Cabresto Reposado Tequila (90)
- Cabresto Don Silver Reserve Añejo (89)
- Cabresto Don Silver Reserve Series Extra Añejo (92)
- Cabrito Blanco Tequila (80.5)
- Cabrito Reposado Tequila (84)
- Camarena Silver Tequila (82)
- Camarena Reposado Tequila (81)
- Casamigos Blanco Tequila (88.5)
- Casamigos Reposado Tequila (90.5)
- Casamigos Añejo Tequila (90.5)
- Corralejo Blanco Tequila (82)
- Corralejo Reposado Tequila (81)
- Corralejo Anejo Tequila (89)
- Corralejo Triple Distilled Reposado Tequila (88.5)
- Corzo Silver (90)
- Corzo Reposado Tequila (92)
- Corzo Anejo Tequila (90.5)
- Cruz Del Sol Silver (83)
- Cruz del Sol Reposado (90.5)
- Don Julio Blanco (87.5)
- Don Julio Reposado (87.5)
- Don Julio Anejo (90.5)
- Dulce Vida Organic Blanco (89)
- Dulce Vida Organic Reposado (92)
- Dulce Vida Organic Tequila Añejo (89)
- Dulce Vida Organic Tequila Lone Star III Anejo (91)
- Dulce Vida Organic Rocky Mountain Añejo Tequila (94)
- Dulce Vida Organic Tequila Extra Añejo (97)
- El Jimador Silver (83.5)
- El Jimador Reposado (85)
- Espolon Blanco Tequila (87.5)
- Espolon Reposado Tequila (88.5)
- Espolon Anejo Tequila (86)
- Herradura Silver (83.5)
- Herradura Reposado (83)
- Herradura Anejo (86)
- Herradura Ultra Anejo (84)
- Herencia de Plata Blanco (83.5)
- Herencia de Plata Reposado (85.5)
- Herencia Historico Tequila (Extra Anejo 5 Anos Cristalino) (85)
- Hornitos Plata Tequila (81.5)
- Hornitos Reposado (79)
- Jose Cuervo Especial Plata (82.5)
- Jose Cuervo Especial Gold (77)
- Jose Cuervo Tradicional Silver (82.5)
- Jose Cuervo Tradicional Reposado (80.5)
- Milagro Silver (87.5)
- Milagro Reposado (90)
- Olmeca Blanco Tequila (71)
- Olmeca Gold Tequila (74)
- PaQuí Silvera Tequila (85)
- Patrón Silver Tequila (88)
- Patron Reposado Tequila (87.5)
- Patrón Añejo Tequila (89)
- Patrón Reposado Barrel Select Tequila (86)
- Reserva del Señor Añejo Tequila (90)
- Roca Patrón Silver Tequila (93)
- Roca Patrón Reposado Tequila (94.5)
- Siempre Plata Tequila (87.5)
- Tromba Blanco (90.5)
- Tromba Reposado (86.5)
Agave Based Liqueurs
- 1921 Tequila Cream (87)
- Agavero (Licor de Tequila) (77.5)
- De la Tierre (Tequila Maple Liqueur) (81.5)
- Patrón XO Cafe (83)
A Note about Tequila
Tequila is an Agave based spirit distilled from the Blue Agave plant in the Tequila Region of the state of Jalisco in Mexico. If the product is produced outside of this Tequila region then the spirit must be labeled as Mescal. This is like the distinction between Cognac and Brandy.
Tequila may be labeled as Mixto or 100% Agave. 100% Agave tequila uses only Weber Blue Agave as the base ingredient for fermentation. Mixtos may use other varieties of Agave, or other sugars (fructose) in the fermentation process, but they still must use at least 51% Weber Blue Agave.
Tequila may be labeled as “Blanco” (unaged clear), “Gold” (usually caramel colored blanco), “Reposado” (rested in oak for two months to a year), “Anejo” (aged in oak for one to three years) and “Extra Anejo” (aged in oak for more than three years).
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Mezcal Reviews:
- Jaral de Berrio Mezcal Joven (83.5)
- Milagro Anejo Mezcal (90)
- Montelobos Mezcal Joven (90)
A Note on Mescal:
Mezcal is distilled from 100% Maguey (or Agave) in the Mezcal Region of Mexico. Whereas Tequila must be produced from Blue Weber Agave, Mezcal may be produced from many different varietals. Mescal labeling based upon classifications of maturity. These Classes are as follows:
Blanco or Joven: Mezcal which has not been altered in any way after distillation. (No aging)
Madurado en Vidrio: Mezcal that has been rested in glass vessels larger than 5 liters for over 12 months either buried underground or in a specialized area that minimizes variations in light, temperature, and humidity.
Reposado: Mezcal that has rested in wooden barrels for two months but not longer than 12 months in a specialized area that minimizes variations in light, temperature, and humidity. There are no specifications or limits regarding the shape or size of the barrels.
Añejo: Mezcal that has rested in wooden barrels for over twelve months in barrels that are no larger than 1,000 liters. They must be rested in in a specialized area that minimizes variations in light, temperature, and humidity.
Abocado con/Infused with: Mezcal that has had ingredients or extracts added to the mezcal post-distillation to contribute flavor. These ingredients can include, but are not limited to: Agave worm, damiana, orange, lime, mango, honey, or others, provided they are authorized by Ministry of Health.
More information maybe found here: (Mescal Explained)
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Each Tequila and Mezcal review contains a rating or score out of 100, and these scores can be interpreted using the following scale:
0-25 A spirit with a rating this low would actually kill you.
26-49 Depending upon your fortitude you might actually survive this.
50 -59 You are safe to drink this…but you shouldn’t.
60-69 Substandard swill which you may offer to people you do not want to see again.
70-74 Now we have a fair mixing spirit. Accept this but make sure it is mixed into a cocktail.
75-79 You may begin to serve this to friends, again probably still cocktail territory.
80-84 We begin to enjoy this spirit neat or on the rocks. (I will still primarily mix cocktails)
85-89 Excellent for sipping or for mixing!
90-94 Definitely a primary sipping spirit, in fact you may want to hoard this for yourself.
95-97.5 The Cream of the Crop
98+ I haven’t met this bottle yet…but I want to.
Very loosely we may put my scores into terms that you may be familiar with on a Gold, Silver, and Bronze medal scale as follows:
70 – 79.5 Bronze Medal (Recommended only as a mixer)
80 – 89.5 Silver Medal (Recommended for sipping and or a high quality mixer)
90 – 95 Gold Medal (Highly recommended for sipping and for sublime cocktails.)
95.5+ Platinum Award (Highest Recommendation)
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I use the same Review Methodology for Tequila as I have been using for Rum and Whisky. Although this is currently under review, for the time being the method I use is detailed here:
My Methodology
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