The Agave Thread: Tequila & Mezcal

[Kris_Patten]

Sounds great. Have you tried it with Mezcal?

[Mike_Cohen]

@Kris_Patten

I sold Fortaleza for a long time when I was in WA, so drank it before it became super cool or collectible, I have an affinity for it and worked with their family, and really enjoy the taste of agave, a bit of spice, and the texture they get.

Don’t forget that with agave the life-cycle of a pina is a decade, whereas grapes are annual, so yes, you will get priced out of many tequilas as a tequila lover since agave is on a whole different harvest cycle than grapes, corn, rice, rye, etc…that make up the base of other categories like beer, whiskey, vodka, and wine.

It doesn’t surprise me that I like Fortaleza and other tequilas in the same vein. I like spicy/savory rather than sweet. It’s part of what drives me to rye over bourbon.

As to the growing cycle of a pina…I’m just thankful that tequila isn’t more expensive than it already is.

[Kris_Patten]

I assume you don’t favor Clase Azul due to the additives and process to make it “sweeter” for folks with money who don’t really like the taste of Tequila but want to like it and find a smooth and easy drinker or shot in a super cool bottle.

[Mike_Cohen]

@Kris_Patten

I assume you don’t favor Clase Azul due to the additives and process to make it “sweeter” for folks with money who don’t really like the taste of Tequila but want to like it and find a smooth and easy drinker or shot in a super cool bottle.

Nailed it!

But don’t forget that it’s favored by “influencers”

[MChang]

@Kris_Patten

I assume you don’t favor Clase Azul due to the additives and process to make it “sweeter” for folks with money who don’t really like the taste of Tequila but want to like it and find a smooth and easy drinker or shot in a super cool bottle.

Idk I would be predisposed to hate Clase azul given I hate similar producers in brandy but I just enjoy the tequila more than other producers. I do enjoy super big and bold XAs like tears, though.

[scamhi]

not yet. I will try with an anejo next. this was a little sweet for my taste

[Kris_Patten]

Smoke and Aperol just sounds good. I’d probably cut the Aperol in half though or use a less sweet alternative like Campari ir Carpano Bitters…or just double the Tequila.

[JulianD]

@Kris_Patten

I assume you don’t favor Clase Azul due to the additives and process to make it “sweeter” for folks with money who don’t really like the taste of Tequila but want to like it and find a smooth and easy drinker or shot in a super cool bottle.

Have you tried the Fortaleza SS batch 20? (all estate grown agave)

[Kris_Patten]

It’s certainly well made and should be for the going rate. It doesn’t taste industrialized, its just a bit lacking the agave edge due to its sweetness.

If you like a $150 bottle of Tequila and can afford it, more power to you. Drink what you like.

[Kris_Patten]

I haven’t as SS hasn’t made it near me in a while, I have to grab some next time I am in WA and its in the warehouse.

[Al_Osterheld]

The super fancy bottles that have become more prevalent actually help decide what to buy.

-Al

[Alan_Rath]

If anyone gets to San Diego, Coasterra (right by the airport) makes an excellent mezcal drink

Smoked Hibiscus
bruxo mezcal, hibiscus syrup, salted habanero bitters, lime juice

Recipe is

2 mezcal
1 hibiscus syrup (brewed one hour, needs fair amount of sugar)
1 lime juice
Habanero bitters

Food is pretty decent, can’t beat the location and view.

[Kris_Patten]

You’re into those super cool bottles eh, Al?

[Al_Osterheld]

They are great for deciding what not to buy, also bottlings that make a big deal out of double cask tequilas.

-Al

[Kris_Patten]

Made some sours tonight to try with my wife.

(2 drinks)
4 oz. Mezcal
1 oz. Lime Juice
1 oz. Lemon Juice
3/4 oz. Agave Nectar
1 Egg White
4 drops bitters

Used 400 Conejos Joven on first, entry level Mezcal and smoky, then Creyente Espadin on the second. Definitely preferred the higher smoke notes in the sour with Joven vs. more delicate Espadin.

Not sure why I don’t make more sours across multiple spirits. Next up doing Penicillin with Mezcal but 1 traditional and 1 version subbing 1/2 ounce of Pineapple juice for syrup yet keeping the ginger.

[JulianD]

If y’all want good value for mixed drinks, try the Nuestra Soledad label (it’s the cheaper brand for Jolgorio and has a bit more smoke, which many prefer in ‘mezcal cocktails’) it usually runs ~$45 or so

[Kris_Patten]

I sold that in WA along with El Jologorio, Agave de Cortes is good too.

[scamhi]

received a bottle of Tapatio Anejo yesterday. Very light in color. I’ll taste it tonight

[Kris_Patten]

It is excellent as is Cimarron for the $, the Tapatio XA is particularly good if you ever see one in wild.

Grabbed a bottle of Pasote Blanco that was a special order for an account yesterday as I was shopping for other items.

[JulianD]

@Kris_Patten

Grabbed a bottle of Pasote Blanco that was a special order for an account yesterday as I was shopping for other items.

New distiller or old distiller bottle? If new, let me know how it is