Tag Archives: Blanco

Tacos and Tequila San diego 2019

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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

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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