Tequila y Mezcal

[burntorangebongos 10710]

On 4/5/2018 at 1:44 AM, Bone3421 said:

Tequila is a mezcal but not all mezcals are tequila...ya dig

Tequila is only from blue agave and the state of jalisco (kinda like champagne)

Sort of true. Tequila comes from one varietal of agave, the Weber Tequiliana if grown in the right region, as you mention. Mescal comes from 5 varietals.

My understanding is that for Tequila, the agave hearts are baked in an autoclave. For mescals, they are pit roasted. If you like smoky flavors then Mescal might be the way to go, especially if you can find one that they rest in barrels for a few months. That sounds yummy but I've never looked into the Mezcals about their aging process.

I like to use fresh squeezed grapefruit juice and lime juice and mix it with tequila, then add club soda over crushed ice.

[Bone3421 716]

Sort of true. Tequila comes from one varietal of agave, the Weber Tequiliana if grown in the right region, as you mention. Mescal comes from 5 varietals.
My understanding is that for Tequila, the agave hearts are baked in an autoclave. For mescals, they are pit roasted. If you like smoky flavors then Mescal might be the way to go, especially if you can find one that they rest in barrels for a few months. That sounds yummy but I've never looked into the Mezcals about their aging process.
I like to use fresh squeezed grapefruit juice and lime juice and mix it with tequila, then add club soda over crushed ice.

So a paloma...they are tasty

[GreenspointTexas 9598]

Just brought those back from my wife and I’s recent trip to Mexico City. All mezcal.

Gonna be a long post, so TLDR if u want

For about a decade, ive been mainly into tequila and not so much mezcal, but i had still enjoyed it. However, about a year ago, that began to change. I had read more and more about the differences in Mezcal and Tequila, how they are made, marketed, etc. I had come to the realization that Tequila is now boring to me.

Tequila is made from only one agave. Its made in an industrialized process, typically distilled until there is very little flavor left, marketed like vodka, and corners are cut almost everywhere by every brand (diluting with water, mixing in other sugars, harvesting the blue agave too soon, etc)

There are over 1000 tequila brands registered with the mexican government, and only about 100 distilleries. You are getting the same product over and over, with marketing being the major difference the lay-person notices. That being said, there are some good tequila’s out there. The best blanco on the planet is Fortaleza Still Strength. Its not diluted with water, and made is a more traditional/rustic process. Also, barrel aging an agave spirit is bullshit. Sorry, but its a “yankee” way of taking the flavor of the agave away and making the spirit more subdued for the average American. This isnt bourbon... aging agave is just wasting plants and time

Mezcal, on the other hand, can be made from any one or number (blend ie “ensamble” or “mezcla”) of 240 or so agave varities that grow in mexico. It has a protected DO, but most people in the industry think its pretty shitty, as mezcal has been indigenous to Mexico for over 500 years.

Mezcal differs greatly on taste between brands due to a large number of factors. Agave type, region, wood used to roast, length of roast, length of fermentation, type of still (typically copper or clay pot), how the mezcal is “cut” by the mezcalero, what is growing nearby, what ambient yeasts are in the air used to ferment the “tepache,” etc etc.

Most people when they try mezcal for the first 10-20 times will only taste smoke. However, the more mezcal one drinks, the less the smoke is noticable. I wont say better mezcal brands necessarily have less smoke, but most of the time its more agave flavor than anything.

I started with a few bottles from Del Maguey and my collection grew from there. I currently have maybe 70 bottles in my mezcal collection and growing. It’s the best spirit in the world, imo, because its impossible for it not to be authentic, its all about the flavor of the agave and not some silly barrel, and its made primarily by people who have been making mezcal for generations. I cannot urge you enough to try every mezcal you can. Typically, the good mezcal is not going to cheap.... its likely gonna be $70 and up, with some of the best stuff topping out around $150-$200 a bottle. Its a fascinating spirit. Here are some good brands to start with:

El Jolgorio
Real Minero
Rey Campero
Mezcalosfera
Mezcalero
Del Maguey
Vago


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Bone3421 716]

Good stuff...ive had the some del maguey vida and some ilegal joven and montelobos but thats about it for my mezcals

[NotActuallyALonghorn 4974]

4 hours ago, burntorangebongos said:

Sort of true. Tequila comes from one varietal of agave, the Weber Tequiliana if grown in the right region, as you mention. Mescal comes from 5 varietals.

My understanding is that for Tequila, the agave hearts are baked in an autoclave. For mescals, they are pit roasted. If you like smoky flavors then Mescal might be the way to go, especially if you can find one that they rest in barrels for a few months. That sounds yummy but I've never looked into the Mezcals about their aging process.

I like to use fresh squeezed grapefruit juice and lime juice and mix it with tequila, then add club soda over crushed ice.

I don't think there is any real regulations for mezcal other than being some sort of agave. Or at least any that make a significant difference in taste. Last year when in central Mexico we got some that tasted like vodka. I also got a bottle that was supposed to be better stuff that tasted like smokey vodka after I got back to the states and tried it. I did taste some while we were there that had a nice smokey agave flavor. There is a huge variation because the definition is so vague. 

 

[texasdago 7562]

Where did you get all that mezcal in CDMX?

 

I've become a big fan of pechuga, as well... really appreciate the flavor.  

[GreenspointTexas 9598]

13 minutes ago, texasdago said:

Where did you get all that mezcal in CDMX?

 

I've become a big fan of pechuga, as well... really appreciate the flavor.  

The labels with the animals are all from Erick Rodriguez/Almamezcalera. Many would say its the best mezcal money can buy. His tasting room in Mexico City is an incredible experience.

Also stopped by Sabra Dios (expensive), La Oriunda (overrated, bad selection), and Mis Mezcales (my favorite place).

[texasdago 7562]

Only mezcal store I've been to is La Oriunda but when you're traveling with family, you visit what you can.  Will check out the others.  Alipus used to be nice for a quick tasting in Condesa.

[NotActuallyALonghorn 4974]

Not bad for 275 pesos.

[GreenspointTexas 9598]

35% abv?

[hopkinsnhorns 533]

Buddy of mine made me a tequila drink the other day.  He cinnamon sugared the rim of a rocks glass, then poured a couple fingers of good resposada in it.  Then he put some more cinnamon sugar on a slice of orange and torched it to brulee.  You take a sip of tequila and follow with a nibble of cinnamon sugar orange.  It was very tasty.  I'd prefer that to 99% of desserts nowadays.

[NotActuallyALonghorn 4974]

7 hours ago, GreenspointTexas said:

35% abv?

I think it has something to do with how the mexican government taxes liquor.

[GreenspointTexas 9598]

8 hours ago, hopkinsnhorns said:

Buddy of mine made me a tequila drink the other day.  He cinnamon sugared the rim of a rocks glass, then poured a couple fingers of good resposada in it.  Then he put some more cinnamon sugar on a slice of orange and torched it to brulee.  You take a sip of tequila and follow with a nibble of cinnamon sugar orange.  It was very tasty.  I'd prefer that to 99% of desserts nowadays.

What.the.fuck!?

[NotActuallyALonghorn 4974]

[rage-a-holic 4371]

[NotActuallyALonghorn 4974]

https://images2.imgbox.com/2c/37/TD2yYCL5_o.jpg

Edit: reception here is too slow to get it to insert the image. Sorry.

Edited March 13, 2019 by NotActuallyALonghorn

[NotActuallyALonghorn 4974]

84 Pesos, so less than five bucks. Not so much for drinking straight, but could be worse.

[GreenspointTexas 9598]

On 3/12/2019 at 12:55 PM, rage-a-holic said:

Is that the $200 bottle? They were giving away free pours at the Las Perlas all you can drink mezcal and tequila event last fall and I didnt care for it. Thoughts?

[rage-a-holic 4371]

6 minutes ago, GreenspointTexas said:

Is that the $200 bottle? They were giving away free pours at the Las Perlas all you can drink mezcal and tequila event last fall and I didnt care for it. Thoughts?

It was fairly smooth. $125 at Sam's Club Cozumel.

 

Not nearly as smooth as Tierra Noble, which is my new favorite. $170 at La Europea.

 

 

[lonestarguido 21]

Pogo's here in Dallas has a killer Tequilla and Mezcal selection.  Andy Cody who is the spirits expert is a walking encyclopedia on all things tequilla and mezcal.

Tapatio Blanco is my go to value drinker and have been a big fan lately of Siembra Azul.  They made a special 12th anniversary repasado and it is outstanding for the $.

[texasdago 7562]

Guys guys... 275 pesos for tequila in Mexico?  Please y'all... get yourself some high end stuff for Mexican prices.  Don't bother with the cheaper stuff.  I'd rather pay $50 for a bottle of pechuga in Mexico knowing a) I can't find it here and b) if I do, I'm paying $200.00.  You can tequila of that other quality all day long in the US.

[NotActuallyALonghorn 4974]

3 hours ago, texasdago said:

Guys guys... 275 pesos for tequila in Mexico?  Please y'all... get yourself some high end stuff for Mexican prices.  Don't bother with the cheaper stuff.  I'd rather pay $50 for a bottle of pechuga in Mexico knowing a) I can't find it here and b) if I do, I'm paying $200.00.  You can tequila of that other quality all day long in the US.

Kinda have to be in a bigger city or resort area to find really good stuff in Mexico. A small village with a couple thousand people isn't exactly going to have that in their tiny liquor store. Even a medium sized city isn't going to have much above the 400 or 500 peso range.

[rage-a-holic 4371]

Avoid Revolucion Extra Anejo. It was $100 at Chedraui and tasted like any other random $25 tequilas.

The Pox was interesting. One of my buddies brought some back from Chiapas.

 

[texasdago 7562]

Tried some Pox last time in CDMX... interesting indeed.  I'd rather stick to Sotol or Mezcal.  Still convinced Pechuga is the best option, always, but its not for everyone.

[GreenspointTexas 9598]

Had a bottle of Pox shipped to me from Cali about 6 months ago, not knowing it was on shelves in Texas. 

Its an interesting spirit, but definitely not something (think Xtbantum) to drink straight. Gonna def. have to use the next 22 or so ounces in some cocktails

[BabaYaga 15286]

Been on the Corzo train for some time now.  Anejo & silver.  

[tantric superman 4667]

Just checked out La Viuda Negra (speakeasy next to El Come Taco) in Knox-Henderson area of Dallas.  Bartender was great and tasty mezcally cocktails.  Place is tiny and was hopping at 11.

Good place to learn about mescal.  (Although I already have forgotten the three main house mezcal's they use -- one for heavy smoke, one regular and I forget what the other one was.  Had a very simple topo chica and mescal with lime and a much more complicated spicy mezcal concoction with egg whites.  Sampled some pulque which was tasty too.

Daughter lives down the block so will use that as an excuse to make some regular stops. 

Edited June 23, 2019 by tantric superman

[GreenspointTexas 9598]

Was the pulque canned? Very curious because its almost impossible to find in the states due to its constant fermentation

[tantric superman 4667]

26 minutes ago, GreenspointTexas said:

Was the pulque canned? Very curious because its almost impossible to find in the states due to its constant fermentation

Though available in Texas only in canned form, La Viuda Negra will serve pulque as a curado, blending it cold with other ingredients such as strawberry, mango, peanut or pistachio.

[GreenspointTexas 9598]

On 2/25/2019 at 5:15 PM, Horn Under a Bad Sign said:

Don't get me wrong: I love women.  But this craft mezcal/marketing exercise bullshit is getting to be too much for me. Take Gem and Bolts Mezcal.


"Alchemist-artist duo AdrinAdrina and Elliot Coon grew up together in a bohemian enclave deep inside Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, and it was there they learned the importance of plant knowledge and how to create elixirs and tinctures from found herbs and botanicals.

Living as artists in Oakland the duo created their herbal elixirs for speakeasies and galleries around the city, eventually running their own space."

 

 

https://chilledmagazine.com/gem-and-bolt-mezcal-interview


 "Tribe of wild warriors?"  "Our mighty feminine spirits power and brand and our Mezcal with DEEP DIVINE MAGIC?"


JEEEEEEEEEZUS!  It's fucking mezcal. And every time I hear the word "infused"  these days I know that a) it's going to be expensive b) it's going to make you say "what the fuck were they thinking"  and c) it's going to be expensive

Gem and Bolt is trash

[mycox 582]

I would not drink pulque outside of Mexico

[GreenspointTexas 9598]

11 hours ago, mycox said:

I would not drink pulque outside of Mexico

Repped

[tantric superman 4667]

[Eggo 3977]

Current agave collection bottles: 

El Tosoro Reposado 

El Tosoro Blanco 

Del Maguey Vida 

 

Question for the thread: If I had $100 to spend, do I reach for a nice Anejo/Extra Anejo or a top shelf mezcal? 

[lonestarguido 21]

Reach for the nice Anejo/Extra Anejo with that coin...

[GreenspointTexas 9598]

15 hours ago, Eggo said:

Current agave collection bottles: 

El Tosoro Reposado 

El Tosoro Blanco 

Del Maguey Vida 

 

Question for the thread: If I had $100 to spend, do I reach for a nice Anejo/Extra Anejo or a top shelf mezcal? 

Mezcal, but im biased. The premium/ultra premium tequila industry is hilariously overpriced and a caricature of itself

[Bone3421 716]

Current agave collection bottles: 

El Tosoro Reposado 

El Tosoro Blanco 

Del Maguey Vida 

 

Question for the thread: If I had $100 to spend, do I reach for a nice Anejo/Extra Anejo or a top shelf mezcal? 

I'd go with the tequila at that price

 

[rage-a-holic 4371]

Got a bottle of Alacran Extra Anejo at Chedraui for about $60. It was on par with most $20-25 anejos. Not a fan.

 

[Carl Spackler 3479]

I know next to nothing about craft tequilas and mezcals, so I need some learnin'.  I recently polished off a bottle of Don Julio Anejo (gift from a friend), which I enjoyed.  Now I find myself with a tequila-less collection of alcohol, and I intend to remedy that situation.  What are your recommendations in the $100 or less category?     

 

[rage-a-holic 4371]

On 6/25/2019 at 4:54 PM, Eggo said:

Question for the thread: If I had $100 to spend, do I reach for a nice Anejo/Extra Anejo or a top shelf mezcal? 

 

1 hour ago, Carl Spackler said:

I know next to nothing about craft tequilas and mezcals, so I need some learnin'.  I recently polished off a bottle of Don Julio Anejo (gift from a friend), which I enjoyed.  Now I find myself with a tequila-less collection of alcohol, and I intend to remedy that situation.  What are your recommendations in the $100 or less category?     

 

Abandonado. The Anejo and Extra Anejos are incredible for sipping. The silver is better than many extra anejos I've had, certainly better than Alacran and Revolucion.

 

[elfenix 34221]

out of espolon, had to break into my novelty bottle of don ramon.  do i risk death to get a bottle tomorrow?

[GreenspointTexas 9598]

On 4/10/2020 at 9:49 PM, elfenix said:

out of espolon, had to break into my novelty bottle of don ramon.  do i risk death to get a bottle tomorrow?

Sure, but definitely not for Espolon

[Eggo 3977]

I still don't know much about tequila, but I do know bourbon. Picked up these two Corazon Anejos aged in a couple of my favorite barrels. Did I just get had by gimmick or are these going to be good? 

[thrillhammer 683]

7 minutes ago, Eggo said:

I still don't know much about tequila, but I do know bourbon. Picked up these two Corazon Anejos aged in a couple of my favorite barrels. Did I just get had by gimmick or are these going to be good? 

what was the price?  i've bought one aged in a thomas handy barrel.   it's pretty good sippin tequila but not sure it was worth what i paid (somewhere between $70-90, from what i recall).

[Eggo 3977]

$55 each, give or take, from Total Wine. Will report back.

[Party_Taco 3722]

Is this the official Tequila / Mescal thread?

Wanted to submit this fire... go find this if you have a chance!

[Gourmand 7774]

Y'all should check out sotol-based cocktails. Desert Door's Texas Sotol is a nice bottle to add to your collection and play with in various recipes. 

[Armybrat 40815]

Had dinner at my son’s nearby home for the first time since Christmas 2019.

sampled some really smooth tequila from the weird blue bottle but didn’t try the other one.

 

[Buzzrock 14901]

That weird blue bottle is Clasé Azul and it’s excellent. I saw the extra anejo on a menu the other day for $89 a pour.

I’ve been going through Tanteo Jalapeño like crazy since last summer. Mix it with Topo Chico, a huge squeeze of lime, and a splash of Sprite Zero for a spicy variation on ranch water. I really wish they sold it in handles.

[immamac 42833]

That's basically cost - the bottles of the extra anejo are 1600-1800 each. Did you get one?