Review: 1921 Blanco Tequila   85/100
a review by Chip Dykstra (Aka Arctic Wolf)
Published June 02, 2020

Named to commemorate the final year of the Mexican Revolution 1921 Tequila is made from 100% Agave cultivated in the Highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. The distinction between tequila made from highland agave versus tequila made from lowland agave is important because agave grown in the highlands tends to carry a different flavour profile into the final tequila than lowland tequila. Highland tequila tends to have more sweet fruity citrus flavours and perhaps a touch more hot pepper in the finish.

Although I could not find direct information on the 1921 Tequila website regarding the exact distillery which produces this agave spirit, I did notice that the identified NOM on the bottom of the label is 1535. 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 it is Destileria Morales, S.A. de C.V. which is located about 100 km east of Guadalajara in Arandas ( a municipality of the Altos Sur region of the state of Jalisco).

I should note the 1921 Tequila Brand has moved production to Casa Tequilera de Arandas, S.A. de C.V. (NOM 1499) which is located about 7 km east of Arandas ( a municipality of the Altos Sur region of the state of Jalisco). Although the overall character of the tequila should remain consistent, there may be subtle changes in the overall flavour profile due to this move.

In The Bottle 4.5/5

Pictured to the left is the bottle display for the 1921 Blanco Tequila. The squat square bottle has a nice visual appeal. It is quite different from other bottles on my liquor shelf, and this difference serves to help it stand out a bit from the crowd. The bottle is sealed with a synthetic cork which is always a bonus for me, as I find the synthetic corks have far more durability than the regular variety, yet they still give that satisfying ‘pop’ when the spirit is opened. To ensure nothing inside escapes before you open it, a waxy plastic covering seals the cork which must be removed with a tear strip.

In the Glass 8.5/10

1921 Blanco Tequila is clear in the glass. The initial aroma is typically highland with a mild, but firm agave scent rising into the air accompanied by a building spiciness of citrus zest and spicy white pepper. The agave is fruity with vegetal impressions of baked squash and grilled pineapple. Its hard to be sure but I seem to notice a touch of cantaloupe in the air as well. I also seem to notice some herbal notes, perhaps a hint of vanilla and a touch of grassy mint in the breezes.

In the Mouth 51/60

The delivery brings a light squeal of peppery highland spice across the palate heating the mouth with white pepper and citrus peel. The fruity agave is soft carrying a subtle herbal flavour alongside the typical punky squash-like flavour. There is also a light creaminess and mild sweetness which aids appears to make the spirit more approachable despite that spicy squeal I noted earlier. The impression I have is that I am sipping on a nice well mannered blanco which has just enough zip to please the hardened tequila aficionado, yet is smooth enough to reach a larger audience.

I mixed a Margarita, and then a Paloma. Either cocktail could serve as my recommended serving, however I seemed to taste a touch of grilled pineapple in both cocktails. This led me to in a new direction where I tried to accentuate the pineapple flavour with the addition of fresh pineapple juice in a serving called Pineapple Blue (see recipe below).

In The Throat  12.5/15

1921 Blanco has a nice spicy finish tempered by a light honey-like sweetness. That herbal quality I noticed in the delivery seems to find more expression in the exit and perhaps I am sensing a touch of smoke as well.

The Afterburn 8.5/10

The 1921 Tequila can be sipped if you do not mind that light squeal of peppery spice; however I think its best destiny is as a cocktail mixer. The spirit is just aggressive enough to please the hardened tequila enthusiast, yet it remains approachable for the casual tequila fan. This is a good choice if you have to please a wide variety of palates.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Suggested Recipe

Pineapple Blue

2 1/4 ounces 1921 Blanco Tequila
3/4 ounce Bols​ Blue Curaçao
3/8 ounce​ Pineapple Juice
Garnish with fresh Citrus

Add the three ingredients into a metal cocktail shaker with ice
Shake until the outside of the shaker begins to frost
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass
Garnish with pineapple or fresh citrus fruit

Please enjoy Responsibly!

Note: If you are interested in more of my original cocktail recipes, please click this link (Cocktails and Recipes) for more of my mixed drink recipes!

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

You may (loosely) interpret the scores as follows.

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 Tequila.  Accept this but make sure it is mixed into a cocktail.
75-79    You may begin to serve this to friends, (we are probably still cocktail in 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 delicious cocktails!
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)