Review: Olmeca Gold Tequila   74/100
A review by Chip Dykstra (Aka Arctic Wolf)
Published 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.

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.

Olmeca Gold Tequila is bottled at 40 % alcohol by volume.

In the Bottle 4/5

The bottle presentation for the Olmeca Gold is shown to the left. It is a squat rectangular bottle with a square base. The the label includes a small illustration of a colossal stone head which is an artifact associated with Olmec civilization. The Olmec were present in Mexico from approximately 1500 BCE to about 400 BCE, and are believed to be the first Mesoamerican civilization.

The bottle also features embossed designs which represent a style of artwork which was present at the time of the Olmec. These designs not only give the bottle a link to the Mexican past, they also serve the dual purpose of making the bottle easier to grip.

A major detractor to the presentation is the pressed on metal cap which seals the bottle. In my opinion, those metallic caps which seal spirit bottles practically scream “bottom shelf”.

In the Glass 7.5/10

The Omeca Gold carries a pale golden colour into the glass and when I tilt and twirl that glass I see a lightly thickened sheen on the inside of the glencairn the crest of which drops skinny legs back down to the spirit below. The initial nose is 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.

In the Mouth 44/60

When I took my first sip, I noticed the tequila carried a firm vegetal nature with flavours that resembled grilled zucchini and over-ripe banana. There is an underlying caramel-like sweetness, as well as a firm peppery bite of agave spice and citrus zest. Of course, a mixto tequila is not necessarily intended to be sipped, and so I decided that it was probably best to begin a few cocktail explorations.

Because of the firm earthy vegetal characteristic of the spirit, I decided that I should begin with a Toreador, which is a cocktail I have found works well with vegetal lowland tequila (see recipe below). I followed that up with a Margarita which I find works well with spicier highland tequila. It was the Toreador that I preferred by a wide margin. I am not sure whether any lowland agave is used in the production of the Olmeca Gold, but the spirit seems to demonstrate more of a lowland, than highland characteristic as far as mixed drinks are concerned. Even better than the Toreador, is a new recipe of mine (the Capeador) which I have shared below.

In the Throat 11/15

The Olmeca Gold brings a firm punch of agave spice through the exit. I found sipping uncomfortable as a mild but firm astringency accompanies the spice which gave my tonsils a whack and brought some burn into the finish. Even when mixed in a cocktail, some of this harshness persists.

The Afterburn 7.5/10

Olmeca Gold is a mixto tequila and as such the spirit is almost certainly designed to be a mixer rather than a sipper, and a mixed drinks is exactly what this agave spirit’s destiny is. When I checked my review and scores for the Olmeca Silver, I found the major difference between the two was that the Olmeca Gold carried a touch more caramel sweetness through its flavour profile. It was perhaps just a touch spicier and more herbaceous as well. I found that Toreadors were preferred over Margaritas so I recommend that you have a bottle of Apricot Brandy and a few lemons on hand when you mix your cocktails.

You may read some of my other Tequila Reviews (click the link) if you wish to have some comparative reviews.

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Suggested Recipe

Capeador

1 1/2 oz Olmeca Tequila
3/4 oz  Bols Apricot Brandy
3/4 oz  Fresh squeezed Lemon Juice
3/8 oz Sugar Syrup (1:1 ratio)
ice
Splash Club Soda
Citrus Peel

Add the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice
Shake until the sides frost
Strain into a chilled glass with ice
Complete with a splash of Club Soda
Garnish with Citrus Peel (optional)

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