Tequila
You won’t find any 300 dollar tequilas here. These are tequilas that I know and love. And I’m always looking for bargains that taste amazing. So, that’s what you’ll get. There will be more to come. We’re just getting started.
Maker: Gran Orendain
Type: Blanco, Reposado and Anejo 80 proof
Notes: I love this stuff. All of the styles are excellent, and I keep a bottle of each around. But I admit I’ll have three anejos around at one time. Old Town Tequila and Mission Wines and Spirits both carry Gran Orendain.
The flavors and nose are citrus and fruit. The anejo is a little bit caramelly. It is a smooth sip and goes down a little too easy. But at $33 bucks for the blanco, what’s not to like?
Maker: Don Pilar
Type: Blanco and Anejo 80 proof
Notes: Years ago, I had read good things about this anejo. So, when I found it at a BevMo in Natomas, Ca, I went over the picked up a bottle. And then I also picked with the blanco and reposado as time passed.
With Don Pilar, I prefer the anejo over the other two. I love the caramel nose and flavor of it. And Mission Wines and Spirits online carry this now. And the prices are under $40 for a really good anejo. It’s one of those few tequilas that I’d suggest as a mixer. The caramel goes great with marguerita mix. It sort of craves some citrus. But I prefer to drink it straight.
Maker: Azunia Organic
Type: Blanco, Reposado and Anejo 80 proof
Notes: These are some of my top 5 favorites. They are so lovely, vegetal, citrus and floral. And I like each of the styles for its own reason.
It is really fun to start with a short pour of the blanco and move on up to the reposado and then the anejo to see what the oak and age does to the raw beverage over time.
Maker: Dulce Vida Organic
Type: Anejo 80 & 100 proof
Notes: It is interesting to try the 80 and 100 proof side by side. the 80 is classic tequila with great flavor. The 100 is just more of the same flavors. But the alcohol bite isn’t what you’d expect from te 100 proof. I found it to be just a little more alcoholic.
But for the money, the 80 proof is less expensive and really well worth the price to get your hands on this one.
Maker: Don Abraham Organic
Type: Blanco & Anejo 80 proof
Notes: One thing I love is a blanco. I love to taste the raw beverage. And then if I love the rawness, I’ll move up to reposado and anejo. In this case I just went to the anejo to see how oak and age had treated it.
Both are great, herbal, citrus bombs. I like my tequila neat. And these are both perfect for pouring a glass to sip on. They are easy to drink with classic flavors and texture.
Maker: G4
Type: Blanco 80 proof
Notes: I saw the review of this on Mission Wines and Spirits. The notes were highly favorable — let’s just say that.
And after tasting it, I agree with what other reviewers have said. It is concentrated, pronounced and full of interesting rough edges that make you want to visit with it further. I’ve been sipping on this for several nights. It is perfect as a stand-alone sipper. But it would go great in mixed drinks as well. It is versatile.
It actually reminds me of Tapatio below. I love the great rawness of this great pour.
Maker: Tapatio
Type: Blanco 110 proof
Notes: So, first post. This is were I’m starting. I love this stuff.
Do not let the goofy label scare you off, nor the fact that this is a blanco. I love blancos/silvers. Those are the real expression of a tequila before the oak and aging that put the caramel patina on top.
This one is so powerful. It is almost overwhelming. Spice, licorice sweet, cardamom. This thing is a monster. Very worth spending 65 bucks on. If that’s pricey, try the blue label Tapatio Blanco at about half this price. It even comes in a 1L bottle. Looks dirt cheap, but it’s also very good.
