If you ever get a chance to try these I would take the opportunity. Once you have the best everything else taste like, well... flat cola. You will never go back.
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Grew up in Europe, which obviously isn't the Tequila capital of the world, so never drank it till I moved to the US and had my first margarita. Now live in Texas, which is the opposite end of the spectrum with Tequila everywhere. Local stores literally have 100s of different Tequila's. Anyway enough story telling, my question is, what do you look for in a good Tequila and/or what do you avoid in a bad Tequila?
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Not really. To be honest, I am bit of tequila snob; I like drinking it straight. However, when I was younger I messed around with the long island ice tea mixture. Used Absolute Mandrin Vodka instead or regular vodka. That mixed with Bacardi white rum and Seagrams gin and 1800 tequila is very good.
Robert
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You make your own opportunities in life.
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Before I get to your question, I highly recommend the Tequila Matchmaker web page and app to learn about Tequila. Most tequila's out there have a rating. Based on my experience it is accurate. Tequila Matchmaker The app can also be found in the app stores.
A lot of how a tequila tastes comes from two things; where it is made and how much it is processed. All tequila is made in Mexico. However, there are different regions where it is made. If you look on a bottle of tequila, there will be a NOM number. This number tells you which Distillery it is made in. You can find a complete list here: Distilleries
Some distilleries produce multiple brands of tequila. While others like Fortaleza only makes a single brand. Note: the Tequila Los Abuelos shows two brands, however they are one in the same. There was a trade mark dispute with the name Los Abuelos in the U.S so they market it as Fortaleza. Interestingly enough under the Fortaleza label they have the Los Abuelos name etched in the glass. Typically, the more brands they make at a single facility the less quality there is in the tequila.
A lot of tequilas are overly processed. Meaning they add additives to the tequila to get a particular taste or smell. There are rules which state that only 1% of a tequila can be made up of additives. A lot a Distilleries will add certain flavors or color to the Anejos and Reposado. The problem is some additives are chemically enhanced to overpower everything else. Think of Classic Coke vs Coke Zero. There is a difference. Once you have a natural tequila you can pick the chemically enhance tequila. DonJulio tequila, which I happen to like, is a very processed tequila. Here is good article on the subject: The Lowdown on Tequila Additives
At the end of the day it really comes down to taste and which flavor of tequila you like; Blanco, Reposado, Anejo, Extra Anejo. I recommend anyone starting out in tequila to start out with the good stuff. This will give perspective to everything else. I always recommend starting out with the Fortaleza brands. They are not terribly overpriced and will give you a taste on what a good tequila should taste like. The next would be the G4's.
Finally, a word on price; Expensive tequila does not always equal a good tasting tequila. Use the tequila matchmaker app to research before you buy.
Robert
Fortaleza
NOM 1493
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If you ever get the chance, New Mexico has a quietly excellent Tequila and Mezcal scene. Santa Fe has its own little collection of Mezcal bars and there are several really great middle-of-nowhere spots all over the state.
I'm currently in Colorado but you got me thinking of some great times out in NM!
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My G4 Tequila came today. I have not had any of this since July. Looking forward to opening it this weekend.
Ordered it from Sip Tequila. This was my first time using them. Came with a personalized card and excellent packaging and fast shipping. I will definitely be using them again.
G4 Tequila
Card
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