Tequila y Mezcal

[Buzzrock 14,902]

His new tequila actually isn’t bad. But yeah I’m sure mezquila is a gimmick. Sammy is 75 and still cooler than I’ll ever be. 

[texasdago 7,563]

On 4/19/2024 at 9:59 PM, rage-a-holic said:

I don't get the whole idea behind paying for expensive non-smoky mezcal. 

It's like people complaining about wanting gin without the gin/juniper flavor. You don't have to spend money finding/buying flavorless gin...just drink vodka. 

I personally would never do it.  It's like decaf coffee... what's the point?

[SmokeyTheBear 5,562]

My folks are headed to Mexico outside of Cancun. They're offering to be agave mules for me.  Is there anything they should seek out that might be limited or non existent here?  What would be the cost difference between getting things there than here typically? Thanks in advance. 

[tokamak 6,391]

11 hours ago, SmokeyTheBear said:

My folks are headed to Mexico outside of Cancun. They're offering to be agave mules for me.  Is there anything they should seek out that might be limited or non existent here?  What would be the cost difference between getting things there than here typically? Thanks in advance. 

Honestly I don't know if it's worth their time, especially if they're going to be in a touristy area. A lot of what you see in Mexico is the typical Herradura, Jimador, Patron, etc stuff that you can get anywhere here. Similar prices, too. Maybe if they were going to Jalisco or something I could see it.

I just passed through the Cancun airport recently. It has a giant "duty free" area with a big selection, but again it's mostly just common stuff at mediocre prices with pushy salesmen. The most interesting thing they had was 2x 1L bottles of Ocho reposado for $135. If you do the math that's a pretty good price per mL, but not smoking hot or anything.

The guys there pushed me toward two different things they said were "only sold in Mexico" - 1921 and Revolucion. Revolucion in particular seems like it might be interesting, given its NOM (1123), which makes a lot of high quality stuff. The NOM for 1921 is less interesting, it looks like a contract distillery that just makes a bunch of random unremarkable stuff. I don't remember the exact prices but they didn't seem like a bargain compared to the price for quality stuff here.

[texasdago 7,563]

The question is where outside of Cancun?  

I agree about avoiding duty free at the Cancun airport.  Total garbage.  They were the ones pushing Zignum.  Blah... 

[SmokeyTheBear 5,562]

1 hour ago, texasdago said:

The question is where outside of Cancun?  

I agree about avoiding duty free at the Cancun airport.  Total garbage.  They were the ones pushing Zignum.  Blah... 

Puerto Morelos and Isla majures

[texasdago 7,563]

46 minutes ago, SmokeyTheBear said:

Puerto Morelos and Isla majures

Can't speak to Puerto Morelos.  I think there's a tequila shop near the main square in town that focuses on tequila.  See if they can help.  

Also, might be worth to check out Chedraui - https://www.tasteofisla.com/chedraui - I don't know if prices are any good.  

[SmokeyTheBear 5,562]

Much appreciated 

[rage-a-holic 4,371]

Chedraui will usually have the best prices but not much of a selection. Check out a La Europea store in Cancun or Playa if you want a good selection.

And as mentioned, prices really aren't that much different here vs there, except for the really good stuff. Avoid duty free stores.

I got some Herradura Seleccion Suprema Tequila at Sam's Club there for $150 a few years ago; it goes for $340 at Total Wine.

You can check prices online.

https://www.chedraui.com.mx/

https://www.laeuropea.com.mx/

[texasdago 7,563]

19 hours ago, rage-a-holic said:

Chedraui will usually have the best prices but not much of a selection. Check out a La Europea store in Cancun or Playa if you want a good selection.

And as mentioned, prices really aren't that much different here vs there, except for the really good stuff. Avoid duty free stores.

I got some Herradura Seleccion Suprema Tequila at Sam's Club there for $150 a few years ago; it goes for $340 at Total Wine.

You can check prices online.

https://www.chedraui.com.mx/

https://www.laeuropea.com.mx/

...and to be honest, the place to go to town on tequila/mezcal is Mexico City.  

BTW... just checked Los Danzantes... last time I went there, I paid about $55 for this... not anymore. 

It is glorious, though but that pricing... 

https://mezcallosdanzantes.com/product/mezcal-los-danzantes-pechuga/

In case you're curious... https://www.mezcalreviews.com/filter-by/nom/o14x/ 

[Matuka 1,309]

9 hours ago, texasdago said:

...and to be honest, the place to go to town on tequila/mezcal is Mexico City.  

Agree.  For mezcal, try MisMezcales in Roma Sur.  It’s a cool, small boutique store that has many varieties of mezcal.  I believe @GreenspointTexas recommended the shop on this thread before my trip in ‘22.  I bought three bottles there, two to take back home and one to make cocktails with before going out to dinner.  
One thing I love about Mexico is a lot of the markets have stands that sell freshly squeezed fruit juice.  The whole market smelled of grapefruit so we got some of that juice along with lime and cucumber (probably a little sugar added).  Nothing better than fresh, squeezed fruit juice on vacation; with or without booze.
 

[tokamak 6,391]

Happy cuatro de Mayo, cabrones 

[texasdago 7,563]

Stop putting pinche water in your tequila 

[Mac8111 2,105]

Open question to the tequila drinkers here. Does being “additive free” make a difference to you on what brand you buy ?

[rage-a-holic 4,371]

10 minutes ago, Mac8111 said:

Open question to the tequila drinkers here. Does being “additive free” make a difference to you on what brand you buy ?

To me, it's like buying flavored vodka or gin. If you like the taste, why not?

I like the flavor of Abandonado Extra Anejo, even though I know it has additives. I don't mix it with anything.

If I'm making margaritas or ranch water, I just want a plain low additive silver tequila.

[tokamak 6,391]

12 minutes ago, Mac8111 said:

Open question to the tequila drinkers here. Does being “additive free” make a difference to you on what brand you buy ?

Oh man. Since I first started getting into tequila about a year ago, I've read a shitload about the additive free thing, and I've definitely got some thoughts.

The short answer for me is "yes". For me personally, I want to try everything, but there's just so much out there that that's just not possible. So I do tend to buy AF, almost exclusively in fact. My theory is that it's both a decent indicator of producers that are putting a little more care into their product and using more traditional methods, as well as tending to be smaller producers rather than global behemoths. Those are blanket statements that aren't always true, of course, but the bottom line is that I have to start somewhere.

That being said, I find the AF "movement" to be very dogmatic, occasionally to the point of being offputting. I'm talking mostly about the tequila subreddit, which is the only other place that I read/post about tequila. There are quite a few people there (not all, but probably a majority) that subscribe to the belief that additive free necessarily equals good stuff and anything with additives is trash, not worthy of the drain. I have two big problems with that. Number 1, it stifles discussion. That subreddit is boring as fuck, because it's the same 10 blancos being recommended and talked about over and over again. They may as well post a list at the top that says "buy El Tesoro, G4, Ocho, Cascahuin, etc" and shut it down. Novices that come along and say they like Casamigos or whatever get shit on. Questioning the status quo of discussion there gets you shouted down immediately.

The even bigger problem I have is that I strongly, strongly suspect that "AF = good, additives = trash" isn't even true. I would bet that there are plenty of tequilas out there that are carefully made by thoughtful people using traditional methods who also happen to use some additives to achieve a certain flavor profile or provide consistency across batches and years. I don't see what's wrong with that, honestly. They're not breaking any rules, it's all right there in the regulations. There are probably also plenty of tequilas on the market that don't use additives, or use them sparingly or only occasionally, that aren't "certified" AF. Just off the top of my head I can think of a handful of reasons why a producer might not be interested in participating.

[tokamak 6,391]

PSA: Spec's is having a sale on tequila and mezcal for the entire month of May. I stopped in a small location in Houston today and didn't see anything scorching hot, but it might be worth a look.

I asked the guy working there if it was the same bottles on sale all month, or if it was going to rotate. He looked at me like I was speaking Mandarin Chinese, so who knows.

[texasdago 7,563]

1 hour ago, tokamak said:

PSA: Spec's is having a sale on tequila and mezcal for the entire month of May. I stopped in a small location in Houston today and didn't see anything scorching hot, but it might be worth a look.

I asked the guy working there if it was the same bottles on sale all month, or if it was going to rotate. He looked at me like I was speaking Mandarin Chinese, so who knows.

That's Spec's for you

[GreenspointTexas 9,598]

On the whole, when buying agave spirits…..

 

100% agave distilled is a MUST

Any spirit that isnt completey colorless or clear is not worth the money (I dont believe in Anejo/Reposado agave spirits, but thats a convo for another time)

You absolutely want to buy additive free spirits

Distillates that are cut with water are pointless and inferior, for the most part. Look for abvs like 43% or 88 proof or 51% abv etc. If it has an abv like 47.56%, even better data point for quality, usually. No clue why anyone wouldnt just buy pure distillates, now that we are seeing a ton of them now on shelves in Texas. Why spend your money on “proofed” down spirits? Its strange to me, even with bourbons, cognacs, etc

 

 

Flame away. 

[Trey3216 15,343]

36 minutes ago, GreenspointTexas said:

On the whole, when buying agave spirits…..

 

100% agave distilled is a MUST

Any spirit that isnt completey colorless or clear is not worth the money (I dont believe in Anejo/Reposado agave spirits, but thats a convo for another time)

You absolutely want to buy additive free spirits

Distillates that are cut with water are pointless and inferior, for the most part. Look for abvs like 43% or 88 proof or 51% abv etc. If it has an abv like 47.56%, even better data point for quality, usually. No clue why anyone wouldnt just buy pure distillates, now that we are seeing a ton of them now on shelves in Texas. Why spend your money on “proofed” down spirits? Its strange to me, even with bourbons, cognacs, etc

 

 

Flame away. 

I 100% agree with you on the ABV points, however, I'm a much bigger fan of Rep/Anejo spirits than silvers when it comes to tequila and mezcal.  I think the aging process creates an entire story in the consumption...like a good poem.  

[Buzzrock 14,902]

Blanco/repo for me. I don’t particularly care for anejo and older.

When I started drinking additive free stuff it changed the game for me. I can’t really drink the vanilla bombs any more. So many places have shitty tequila selections and when I’m at those places I usually just get Patron.

The weirdest one to me is cristallinos. I have no idea why you would want to submit aged tequila to a process to remove the color. That said, I do like the Dobel Diamanté which is not additive-free and it’s a cristallino. So I’m not hard and fast about anything.

One good thing about the current tequila boom: it shouldn’t get as crazy as bourbon did. Even “old” tequila is pretty young, so ramping up production can be done much more quickly. I’m hoping Fortaleza becomes findable again but there are plenty of other good ones in the mean time.

[tokamak 6,391]

30 minutes ago, Buzzrock said:

One good thing about the current tequila boom: it shouldn’t get as crazy as bourbon did. Even “old” tequila is pretty young, so ramping up production can be done much more quickly. I’m hoping Fortaleza becomes findable again but there are plenty of other good ones in the mean time.

Yeah we are really lucky. Of course there’s rare and special stuff out there, but by and large the best tequila is readily available and costs less than $100 per bottle. Only thing we really have to worry about is that it takes agave plants 7+ years to grow. 

[Buzzrock 14,902]

Yeah we are really lucky. Of course there’s rare and special stuff out there, but by and large the best tequila is readily available and costs less than $100 per bottle. Only thing we really have to worry about is that it takes agave plants 7+ years to grow. 

That’s a good point. Aren’t there some similar plants that are starting to gain traction? Even some stuff grown in Texas?

Btw tonight’s pour is Lalo. Been really enjoying that blanco lately. $40 or so.

[tokamak 6,391]

8 minutes ago, Buzzrock said:

That’s a good point. Aren’t there some similar plants that are starting to gain traction? Even some stuff grown in Texas?

Btw tonight’s pour is Lalo. Been really enjoying that blanco lately. $40 or so.

I definitely think there's a movement of people experimenting with other species of agave and doing interesting artisanal stuff with it. But also pretty sure that if you distill anything other than blue agave specifically, you've made mezcal, not tequila.

[rage-a-holic 4,371]

12 hours ago, tokamak said:

I definitely think there's a movement of people experimenting with other species of agave and doing interesting artisanal stuff with it. But also pretty sure that if you distill anything other than blue agave specifically, you've made mezcal, not tequila.

and it has to be blue agave from an approved Mexican state

Tequila - must be blue agave from an approved Mexican state using a process where the pina heart is steamed/crushed (and a bunch of other rules)

Mezcal - can be any agave from anywhere, baked/roasted/steamed/microwaved or whatever

[tokamak 6,391]

No water this time to satisfy @texasdago

Like eating a bowl of vegetables. A little on the warm side. Very complex.  An exceptionally well made tequila although I have to admit not my favorite flavor profile. 

Edited May 14 by tokamak

[tokamak 6,391]

On 5/12/2024 at 8:35 PM, Buzzrock said:

That’s a good point. Aren’t there some similar plants that are starting to gain traction? Even some stuff grown in Texas?

Btw tonight’s pour is Lalo. Been really enjoying that blanco lately. $40 or so.

I haven’t had Lalo yet, but they’re getting really good distribution. I was just at Hobby airport and all the bars there basically had your usual celebrity stuff…and Lalo. 

[Matuka 1,309]

12 hours ago, rage-a-holic said:

Mezcal - can be any agave from anywhere, baked/roasted/steamed/microwaved or whatever

Not sure I agree with you…

Internationally, mezcal has been recognized as an Appellation of Origin (AO, DO) since 1994.^[31][32]There is also a Geographical Indication (GI), originally limited to the states of Oaxaca, Guerrero, Durango, San Luis Potosí, Puebla and Zacatecas. Similar products are made in Jalisco, Guanajuato, Michoacán, and Tamaulipas, but these have not been included in the mezcal DO.^[32]

Within Mexico, mezcal is regulated under Norma Oficial Mexicana (NOM) regulations, originally NOM-070-SCFI-1994 (in 1994), by the industry body Consejo Mexicano Regulador de la Calidad del Mezcal A.C. (COMERCAM, the Mexican Regulatory Council for Mezcal Quality). This regulation became law in 2003, and certification began in 2005.^[33]

[Buzzrock 14,902]

19 hours ago, tokamak said:

I haven’t had Lalo yet, but they’re getting really good distribution. I was just at Hobby airport and all the bars there basically had your usual celebrity stuff…and Lalo. 

They are based in Austin right?

[tokamak 6,391]

2 hours ago, Buzzrock said:

They are based in Austin right?

I think so. There’s some Austin connection, at least. 

[DixonHur 11,292]

21 hours ago, tokamak said:

No water this time to satisfy @texasdago

Like eating a bowl of vegetables. A little on the warm side. Very complex.  An exceptionally well made tequila although I have to admit not my favorite flavor profile. 

Have you tried this... definitely my favorite sipping tequila.

[tokamak 6,391]

54 minutes ago, DixonHur said:

Have you tried this... definitely my favorite sipping tequila.

Hell yeah I have, that’s my shit. Check post #282. 

[Buzzrock 14,902]

It’s a winner. They recently changed the bottle and label which was a little confusing last time I saw it on the shelf. 

[Buzzrock 14,902]

Got damn murderers row at Rodeo Bar downtown Dallas.

[tokamak 6,391]

Epic lineup. I recommend you try one of each and report back. 

[rage-a-holic 4,371]

On 5/13/2024 at 9:43 PM, Matuka said:

Not sure I agree with you…

 

Internationally, mezcal has been recognized as an Appellation of Origin (AO, DO) since 1994.^[31][32]There is also a Geographical Indication (GI), originally limited to the states of Oaxaca, Guerrero, Durango, San Luis Potosí, Puebla and Zacatecas. Similar products are made in Jalisco, Guanajuato, Michoacán, and Tamaulipas, but these have not been included in the mezcal DO.^[32]

Within Mexico, mezcal is regulated under Norma Oficial Mexicana (NOM) regulations, originally NOM-070-SCFI-1994 (in 1994), by the industry body Consejo Mexicano Regulador de la Calidad del Mezcal A.C. (COMERCAM, the Mexican Regulatory Council for Mezcal Quality). This regulation became law in 2003, and certification began in 2005.^[33]

To clarify: "anywhere agave grows in Mexico" you will find Mezcal. If agave grows there, mexicans are making mezcal with it, regardless of the DO rules. 

[Matuka 1,309]

8 minutes ago, rage-a-holic said:

To clarify: "anywhere agave grows in Mexico" you will find Mezcal. If agave grows there, mexicans are making mezcal with it, regardless of the DO rules. 

Gotcha.

When I was in Oaxaca, a couple of times a shady street dude would offer to sell me some “mezcal”.  Felt like some dude was offering me coke.  Obviously no way of knowing if it was legit or not.

[tokamak 6,391]

When I got home tonight my wife had just opened a bottle of champagne. On a related note, I am now drinking Ocho blanco out of a used champagne flute, because I’m a classy bitch like that. 

[SmokeyTheBear 5,562]

Oh my.  Wife just gifted this beauty for my birthday. Nice addition to my collection.  

 

[tokamak 6,391]

6 hours ago, SmokeyTheBear said:

Oh my.  Wife just gifted this beauty for my birthday. Nice addition to my collection.  

 

Nice collection. I’ve seen them in bars but have yet to come across a bottle in a liquor store. 

[SmokeyTheBear 5,562]

26 minutes ago, tokamak said:

Nice collection. I’ve seen them in bars but have yet to come across a bottle in a liquor store. 

I've lucked out finding them in really random places like middle of nowhere Colorado, Netherlands, and my wife got the winter blend in Belgium for $170. 

[DixonHur 11,292]

PSA:

Please avoid Pantalones Tequila.

I don't care how big of a Longhorn fan you are, it's not worth it.  McConaughey should have his Texas citizenship revoked for this assault on Tequila.

My go-to sipping tequila is Tequila Ocho Reposado, but they were giving out samples at Total Wine tonight so I gave it a shot.  

Hands down, the worst tequila I've ever tasted.  It was like drinking tequila flavored NyQuil. 

[GreenspointTexas 9,598]

8 hours ago, DixonHur said:

PSA:

Please avoid Pantalones Tequila.

I don't care how big of a Longhorn fan you are, it's not worth it.  McConaughey should have his Texas citizenship revoked for this assault on Tequila.

My go-to sipping tequila is Tequila Ocho Reposado, but they were giving out samples at Total Wine tonight so I gave it a shot.  

Hands down, the worst tequila I've ever tasted.  It was like drinking tequila flavored NyQuil. 

Casamigos is much worse

[Buzzrock 14,902]

Most of the celebrity tequilas are garbage. Exceptions are Contigo and believe or not Santo.

[Buzzrock 14,902]

Strawberry margaritas yesterday. Not bad. Need to make some spicy watermelon ones soon.

[DixonHur 11,292]

6 hours ago, GreenspointTexas said:

Casamigos is much worse

I don't know if that's possible, but I'm not willing to personally test the theory.

But Tequila Matchmaker agrees with me... by almost 10 points.

Casamigos Tequila Reposado | Tequila Matchmaker

Tequila Pantalones Reposado Organico | Tequila Matchmaker

 

[Buzzrock 14,902]

4 oz Lalo
2 oz watermelon juice
2oz lime juice
1 oz agave
Two slices jalapeño
Ice
Blend

Pretty solid. Needed less ice, too thick. But tasty.

[deft 6,833]

Ocho repo is indeed tits. Cimarron is a tasty bottle for under $30. Still new to the game so looking forward to trying more: g4, lalo, etc


Edit: the fresca and tajin were for making Palomas but with the altos. The others were consumed neat or with a drop of water as a bourbon drinker would. I’m not a philistine.

[deft 6,833]

Lalo, imo

Delicious. Just as reviews would state not overly complex. It’s a blanco so it makes sense. Honestly was looking for another bother of ocho but they were out of repo and recognized this and said what they hey guey. Still a good clean drink. Would buy again.

Also picked up siete leguas anejo. We’ll see if I dig into that…..

[Carl Spackler 3,479]

On 6/23/2024 at 2:15 PM, Buzzrock said:

4 oz Lalo
2 oz watermelon juice
2oz lime juice
1 oz agave
Two slices jalapeño
Ice
Blend

Pretty solid. Needed less ice, too thick. But tasty.

Will be blending this up this weekend to beat the heat.