anejo

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.

Tequila, the favored spirit of spring breakers far and wide, is often given a bad rap for being an amateur's liquor. A longtime fan of agave, I was thrilled to be a part of a trip to the tequila trail of Mexico in Jalisco, to learn more about this mysterious spirit. Although you'll find tequila aficionados experimenting with ultra-aged blends, for the masses there are three well-known types of tequila: silver, reposado and añejo. Extra añejo (for the ultra-aged) is gaining popularity among those who like their spirits saturated in oak,tequila purists would argue that too much aging overwhelms the delicate agave taste. And while I'm the first to say keep it in the barrel for most spirits, tequila is one of those rare liquids that has such an intense flavor and body all to its own (all credit due to the agave plant) that I'm the first to admit that anything aged over a year might negatively detract from the flavor of the tequila.

And beyond the tequila trinity, what about all this gold tequila we see everyone? As a devote to all things gold, these blends were most likely the bottles I was most drawn toward purchasing before being properly educated. But after learning the basics, say it ain't so, gold tequila is in most cases a lesser quality than silver tequila. Gold tequilas are more often than not silver tequilas with coloring or sugar additives. Fortunately for us, there wasn't a gold tequila in sight at the Cazadores distillery, except for the naturally aged reposados and añejos that naturally gain a slight coloring from oak barrel aging.

The story of Cazadores starts with Jose Maria Bañuelos, who created the recipe in 1922 and kept it in the family for three generations like all famly secrets deserve. It wasn't until his grandson Don Felix perfected the recipe and opened up a factory in 1973 that the special recipe was released to the public. He named the blend Cazadores, "hunters," in honor of his grandfather to signify a man hunting down his dream, and marked it with the symbol of a deer, the favorite animal of his grandfather, which he often watched at night mingling with the gorgeous blue agave plants in the field.

I've mentioned Partida tequila before, now they have unveiled an ultra-premium version for tequila connoisseurs. Partida Tequila Elegante is an extra añejo tequila which is aged more than 36 months in American oak. The tequila is made of 100% blue agave which is hand harvested and cooked in stainless steel autoclaves. The tequila comes in a gift box which includes a crystal top for the bottle so it can serve as a decanter once the tequila is finished. The bottle also has a Mexican sterling silver Partida Tequila Spirit Bird on a black leather strap tied around the neck. It sells for $350 and will be available this fall.


[via The Tasting Panel]

The latest addition to the Jose Cuervo line of tequilas is Jose Cuervo Black Medallion, a super-premium Tequila that will be available in stores this month. Cuervo Black is an añejo tequila aged in charred oak barrels. The new brand is designed to appeal to Cuervo drinkers as they, and their palates, age and mature. Cuervo Black is aged at least 12 months and the charring process on the barrels is designed to remove impurities and give the tequila a deeper oaky flavor. The new tequila sells for around $20.