I have come to realize that being a connoisseur of Tequila is like going to Vegas. There is no right way to "do Vegas"...and there is no right or wrong way to "do Tequila".

There seem to be 3 kinds of connoisseur's when it comes to the sweet fermented nectar of the Blue Agave. The first kind of connoisseur is what I like to call "The Eccentric". This is the individual who will tell you if you don't breathe in with the first sip as it rolls around your tongue, you have not truly experienced the Tequila. There is no chaser for this connoisseur for it would ruin the Tequila experience. Perhaps he is correct, but, as I like to point out... he is correct for his own taste.

The second type of connoisseur is the "No Rules" connoisseur. This is the person who genuinely likes the Tequila, but may drink "eccentrically"... or he may mix his Tequila with blueberries and fresh limes in blender with ice...yes...an $80 bottle. This is the man or woman who just likes to have fun with their tequila and drinks without inhibition or any sense of decorum. What I like about this kind of connoisseur is that nothing gets in the way of what truly thrills them at any given moment and truly, Tequila was meant to be fun.

The third and final type of connoisseur is the "Chaser" connoisseur. This is the type of connoisseur who makes Tequila interesting. You see...that chaser may be juice for one man, or salt n' lime for another...but they tend to ALWAYS have it the same way. As for me, I am a training wheels aficionado. That is how I do "My Tequila"...but I do it with every glass...every time.

When giving ratings on Tequila, the key factor in determining the validity of someones opinion truly boils down to the validity in any opinion. Is there a constant, non-variable element in the taster's tasting style that allows the rating system to be consistent? In the case of the three types of connoisseur's, there is a consistency factor in the way that the Tequila is consumed in the first and third type of connoisseur that does not exist with the second type, the "No Rules" connoisseur. So for purposes of accepting someone's opinion prior to actually forming your own by purchasing a bottle of some fine Agave creation, be sure to figure out which category the "source" of the opinion falls into, compare that to which category YOU fall into, and find the source who truly connects with what makes your Tequila, well...fun!

I am truly a Corralejo Repasado lover. What I love about the tequila is that it holds a very mild taste on the tongue, when swallowed, has a seemingly non-existent bite, that is followed about 3 seconds later with a gentle warming of the esophagus...but not so warm I would call it a "bite". This warming is then followed by the slow oncoming awareness of the flavor of the french oak barrels it was fermented in. This tequila is truly a delightful experience and I so do willfully recommend it to any up and coming Tequila curiosity as a fantastic starting point to enjoying a quite delightful Tequila... and of course...I take it with salt and lime. Again... that is how I do "My Tequila". It is what makes Tequila fun for me.