Tacos and Tequila San diego 2019

Posted on May 3, 2019 by Braxs

This year we decided to do something a little different. We attended, one of my favorite events, Tacos and Tequila in San Diego. First of all, you can’t beat San Diego for a venue. The weather was great and the location of Marina Park was perfect.

Marina Park

THE TEQUILA’S

Unfortunately, you are only given 6 tickets to use for the private tequila tasting event. Considering that there were more than 10 different brands, each pouring a Blanco, Reposado and Añejo, some were going to be left untasted. I decided to only taste the tequila I was not familiar with. This led to some great discoveries. Let me tell ya about them.

Nuda Tequila

Owned by Frances Reyes. Nuda Tequila is triple distilled. The Añejo is aged for 26 months in French Oak barrels. Aromas of Agave and Vanilla. On the palate I experienced; light agave flavors, vanilla, oak and a hint of caramel. The extra Añejo was delicious with notes of agave, vanilla, coco. I was lucky enough to have been able to try all four of Nuda’s Tequilas, including the Blanco and Reposado. I have to admit, they were my favorites at the festival. Price point is $80 for the Añejo and $100 for the extra Añejo.

The owners of Nuda Tequila

SOME OF MY OTHER FAVORITES

UNO POR FAVOR TEQUILA

Uno Por Favor Blanco is a tequila with more citrus notes. It is very smooth and light on the tongue. The Reposado adds notes of caramel and oak. $40 for the Blanco.

MANDALA TEQUILA

Mandala Tequila. The extra Añejo is aged seven years in French Oak barrels. I found this one to be a little sweet with tasting notes of toasted oak, agave and vanilla. Price point is $130.

MI CAMPO TEQUILA

Mi Campo Tequila. Surprisingly, this brand was probably the best tequila under $30. The Reposado was aged in Robert Mondavi French wine barrels. Great minerality and mouth feel with notes of toasted oak, vanilla and honey.

REVOLUCION TEQUILA

Revolucion Tequila. This tequila aged in traditional America White Oak barrels. The Añejo has good minerality and a smooth finish with hints of caramel, honey and butterscotch. They put their extra Añejo through a charcoal filter to remove the color and they call it Cristolino. This is a good line of tequila and I believe the price point of $50, $60 and $80 for the Reposado, Añejo and extra Añejo, is dead on for this quality tequila.

There are some really good things going on in the tequila world. From adding oxygen to the distillate to remove impurities to using nontraditional vessel for aging. the industry is evolving and I look forward to keeping up. Enjoy.

-Brax

TACOS AND TEQUILA

Posted on August 27, 2017 by Braxs

Drew and Crew

Tacos and tequila is one of my favorite events. San Lorenzo Park in Santa Cruz California was an excellent location choice. The weather was perfect and the crowd was friendly and festive. The event was festival style with multiple choices of tacos venders, margarita bars, merchants, bands and of course tequila tasting. I did notice that there were not as many tequila reps this year as there were last year but, the ones that were there this year were great.

I had a chance to hang out and talk to Drew Garrison from Dulce Vida, about tequila. We had a great conversation and I learned that Dulce Vida allows their tequila to go through malolactic fermentation. Their tequila is 100% Puro Agave, one of the highest rating given by the Mexican Government. They have a blanco that is done in stainless steel and they also have infused tequilas. Their agave if from Arandas, Jalisco Mexico. I found the Organic Blanco to be lite to medium agave flavor, easy over the tongue. It could be drank with just a cube of ice. According to Drew, it is available at Bevmo and Total Wines. Price range is $22 to $24.

Don Antonio Aguilar

I had the pleasure of meeting Cesar Garcia from Real de Jalpa. He is the Rep for Don Antonio Aguilar Mezcal. If you are one of those people that turns their nose up when you hear the word Mezcal, I guarantee Don Antonio Aguilar Mezcal with change your mind. It is a Mezcal with a lot of the same qualities as tequila. Real de Jalpa own their own fields in Zacatecas Mexico. They produce approximately 6,000 liter a day. Cesar brought for Reposados with him. They ranged in age from 4 months to 11 months. For Mezcal, they were not smokey. I found them to be earthy with good agave flavors. The older reposados had more oak notes and easy finish. Price range from $30 to $60.

Blue Iguana Tequila

Blue Iguana Tequila was the surprise find. It is double distilled from agave from the Highlands of Jalisco. They were pouring a 2 months, 4 months, 7 months, 11 months and an 18 month tequila. The 7, 11, and 18 month olds were aged in whiskey barrels. I found the tequila to be very neat and clean. Good agave flavor with a short smooth finish. Well balanced oak notes from the whiskey barrels. According to the Rep, it can be found at Raley’s for $28 to $35.

Azunia

Another surprise find was Azuñia. 100% Puro de Agave from the Valley of Jalisco. Azuñia is hand harvested and roasted in traditional clay hornos. The blanco and reposado good agave flavors that were not overpowering. An earthiness that was complemented by lite oak notes.

We had a Fantastetic time. Made some new friends, ate some tasty taco and tasted some excellent tequilas. I am looking forward to the next event. Where ever that may be.

Ciao for now

Brax

Mexico’s Best and Puerto Vallarta

Posted on November 9, 2013 by Braxs

To celebrate by birthday my wife asked me what I would like to do. My tequila cabinet was getting low so, I suggested we go to Puerto Vallarta. Jalisco Mexico is the capitol of tequila country. Puerto Vallarta is one of my favorite places to relax and enjoy the best of Mexico. So, we got the band together and headed South. We checked into the Grand Lux in Nuevo Vallarta. The Grand Lux is located 20 Min North of Puerto Vallarta in Nayarit. There are three other resorts, that you have access to, on the property. The Grand Mayan, Mayan Palace and The Grand Blis. Puerto Vallarta has all the regular tourist attraction; parasailing, scuba diving, zip lines, ATV etc… Nuevo Vallarta has long sand beaches and the water is in the 80’s this time of year.

One of our favorite spots to visit is a little surf town 1 hour North called Sayulita. Sayulita is located on the North side of Punta Mita. Sayulita has a lot of old world charm with its cobblestone roads and traditional style building. The beaches are beautiful and the surfing is usually pretty good. On this occasion, Doc was less than please with the waves. I thought they were the perfect size for someone like me who wants to learn. The town square is the center of activity. It is surrounded by restaurants, bars and boutique shops. The prices for food and alcohol are tailored towards the locals. After a relaxing afternoon on the beach, we headed to Leyva Family distillery. Makers of fine tequila.

We were walked through the tequila making process and at the end, we were treated to a tasting. Some of the main things I learned was. There are over 600 varieties of agave. Over 400 of them are blue(Azul). The first distillation of tequila is called blanco. Tequila put in an oak barrel for up to 11 months is called Resposado. Tequila put into an oak barrel for up to 4 years is called Anejo. Like wine, there are blends and single varietals. Mexico grades the quality of tequila. So, 100% de agave could be a blend of agave and sugar cane. 100% de agave Azul could be the single varietal and better still, 100% puro de agave is tequila without any other additive such as cane sugar. Remember this and it will ensure you are getting the best quality tequila.

Tequila tasting is also similar to wine tasting. Enjoy the color and clarity, inhale the bouquet, take a sip and let is roll over you tongue. After you swallow, exhale and appreciate the smoothness.

I am always interested in a good tequila. If you come across one I would love to hear about it.

Cheers,