Tasting the Luxury Corzo Tequila Trio
When it comes to luxury tequila, nothing I've tasted comes close to the Corzo tequila line. One of two tequila lines owned by Bacardi, I had the opportunity of sampling the three Corzo blends at the Cazadores distillery plant in Arandas. If tequila represents the revolutionary spirit of Mexico, Corzo evolves this history into the modern age.
Fabien Baron, the French designer whose work includes some of the most iconic perfume bottles of our time, was hired to design a bottle for this new brand. Inspired by the greatest of modern Mexican architects, Luis Barragán, Baron created a singular bottle fashioned in a strong, tall rectangular with an angular spout, that perfectly reflects the contemporary style of Mexican buildings. The perfume bottle shape hints at the fragrant and full-bodied tequila contained inside.
This triple distilled blend from the highlands is a sipping tequila across the three varieties, but can also serve to perfect any of your favorite tequila cocktails. For an optimum tequila tasting, it's necessary to use tequila glasses, a thin, high-waisted glass. We find that the best are made by Riedel, to experience premium flavors and intensified aromas. If you prefer, do as the locals do and find a handblown tall glass perfect for a small pour. It's important to exhale after any tequila tasting to fully enjoy the flavors of the spirit.
Like most super premium brands, Corzo is available in three blends.
Corzo Silver
While widely known as the mixing tequila, a silver tequila bottled straight after distillation, Corzo has created a very elegant sipping silver. Each bottle takes 22 pounds of agave to make, twice as much as any other tequila. The taste is slightly sweet and incredibly refreshing. While a perfect core to any margarita, the silver Corzo, with its fragrantly rich floral bouquet, could just as easily be enjoyed solo. Try it in a sniffer glass accompanying a bowl of berries for dessert.
Corzo Reposado
For most tequila aficionados, the reposado reflects the perfect mix of depth and craft. Aged in barrels for anywhere from two to eleven months, the reposado, if done well, radiates the perfect blend of agave and oak, neither element overpowering the other. The Corzo reposado is no exception, and is easily the best reposado I have ever tasted. Powerful yet delicate, the reposado symbolizes the beauty of the tequila craft. The first aroma emanates a nutty mix of almonds and hazelnut, while the first sip fills the mouth with aromas of crème brulee and marzipan.
Corzo Añejo
And finally, the Corzo añejo is an incredibly decadent tequila which has been aged in oak for over a year. Another premium highlands blend, the first whiffs of Corzo añejo tell a tale of sweetness, of vanilla and pineapple. Take a sip and swirl and discover secondary notes of dark chocolate and cinnamon. A final breath leaves coffee, smoke and nutmeg. Overall it's a delightfully intense spirit that can only be enjoyed as tequila is meant to be: served alone, surrounded by great friends.
My visit to Jalisco was sponsored by Tequila Cazadores, but the opinions expressed in the article are 100% my own.
