Newbie post.. just back from PV.. how'd I do?

[Fudbar]

Hola everyone..

My first post here, so pardon me if I'm OT or in the wrong forum..
I'm a 37 y/o Canadian that just got back from his first trip to Puerto Vallarta. I've been drinking tequila since I was 20 or so, but as fellow Canucks will know, selection up here is horrible.. (although much improved in the last few years)

I have to confess that I drank Cuervo Gold for years, always sipped straight with a beer chaser.. usually all I could find was that or Sauza Silver. Never thought the gold was great tequila, but at least it went down a bit smoother anything else. Over the last couple of years, I've tried nicer stuff as I came across it, but usually found it tasty but over priced (Patron, Don Pedro, 1921) Discovered Los Arango about a year and a half ago, and love it. Even managed to convince my local watering hole to start selling it.. owner was reluctant until I brought a bottle to a house party and made him have a shot.. most popular tequila in the bar now.

Getting back to the point.. just got back from my first trip outside the country, spent a lovely week in PV. Naturally, I was a bit overwhelmed by the selection of tequillas down there, and limited by duty restrictions, so only brought back 4 bottles. (My wonderful gf let me use her duty free limit as well) I also fell in love with the Paloma when I was down there, so my idea was to pick up 3 bottles that would be good mixers, but also sippable with some difference in taste to introduce others to this wonderful liquor, and to pick up one really nice bottle, all on a rather limited budget. For the cheaper ones, I tried to find bartenders and other folks that liked decent tequila in PV and asked them what they bought when they were drinking with friends. I'd love to get some feedback from you fine folks on what I brought back and what I paid? Good tequilas? Good deals? Any feedback would be wonderful..

El Jimador Reposado 100% agave: bought @ OXXO, 120 pesos
Cazadores Reposado gift pack w. 2l Squirt: La Playa liquors, 100 p
100 Anos Reposado (green label) : La Playa, 170 pesos
4 Copas Reposado (my nice one) : random Malecon store, 500 p after much bargining.

so.. how'd I do?

[bn087]

I am glad to see you on tequila.net. You are in a wonderful place full of great resources. I agree with a couple of your purchases but would have recommended many others. You did great with the 4 Copas purchase. The others will be good as mixers but keep the 4 Copas from any mix...unless you want an organic margarita which are fun (use organic limes and organic agave nectar). Cazadores reposado is a great mixer and a good shot on a bad day but not a sipper IMHO. The El Jimador purchase was good, the new 100% agave lineup is decent. I would not have purchased 100 Anos (this is just my opinion)...its rough and I've always gotten a chemical type aroma from the 100 Anos...I'm not saying its a bad buy, it is 100% Agave and thats always good but I would have honestly leaned torwards other products.

Welcome to the forum...and I'm glad you enjoyed the trip to PV. Let me know if you need any help with anything reguarding tequila!

[wichie13]

Hello Fudbar and welcome.

What province do you live in?

You didn't do too bad, I am sure you will be fully informed on your next trip to Mexico now that you have found this forum.

I don't think I would have bought the 100 anos myself either but at least you bought the Mexican version which is 100% agave as opposed the the imported version into the USA which was a mixto. Not sure if they have switched to 100% in USA now/yet. I tried the 100 anos mixto once and found it to be a vast improvement over Cuervo Gold. So the mexican version should be a bit better then what I tasted.
Don't think you will like as much as the Los Arango though.

Something I did when I first started drinking/collecting good tequila seriously, was any friend or relative that was going to USA or mexico I would give them $50 and say get me the best 100% agave tequila you can find. I would try and research the area they where going to to see if I could find out what was available, but end all be all I would just send them with some money and one rule... must be 100%.

[Fudbar]

Hi again.. thanks for the comments and advice.. finally had a chance last night to sit down and do a little tasting. Comments as follows;

100 Anos: Yep, see what you mean, bn087. Gotta say though, it's got a wonderful deep honey note to it, but just sits there like a bunch of flowers in a traffic jam. Suggestions on mixed drinks that would accent the honey note but mute the chemical-like aftertaste would be lovely.

Cazadores: Bland.. maybe a hint of vanilla, burns a bit, but finishes smoother than expected. You nailed it again bn087... not a sipper, but will make a fine mixer. Will be perfect for Palomas.

4 Copas: Wonderful, subtle, smooth. All flavors blend nicely. Perfect reposado. Tried it last, had to go back after a few hours and try it again to really appriciate it.

El Jimador: Definately the suprise of the low end stuff. Tasty, well balanced, finishes nicely. Finishes a little harsh, but definately 'punches above it's weight'. Just checked LCBO website today, they have something they list as 'El Jimador Reposado Gold' for $31.20 a bottle(great price for Ontario).. if this is the same 100% agave as I have, I may have found another good one to convert bar owners with. (I'm on a mission to rid Toronto bars of crappy mixtos..)

For wichie13.. as mentioned above, I'm in Ontario.. Toronto to be specific. Tried the 'give $$ to travelling friends' thing a few times. Guess I have forgetful friends; they don't remember until they're in the airport. Tried twice, ended up with Herradura Reposado and Cuervo Especial.. Ok, but can get both here.. tried a couple of other nice ones (Claze Azul & 1921 reposado) when I was down in PV, so next time I'll request something specific and send friends down w. pics of the bottle.

[wichie13]

I am GTA east. We had a tasting last summer in Toronto with the Casa Noble line up. Looking at hosting another will let you know about it if your interested. I would like to see this grow.

Have you been to Dos Amigos? Best Tequila selection in Toronto... that I have found so far. Good food too.

Dos Amigos Restaurant - Tequila Brands, Ratings and Reviews - TEQUILA.net



Anyone else in the GTA on here?

FYI 'El Jimador Reposado Gold' is a mixto. But they just switched to 100% so if LCBO gets their stock cleaned out maybe they will get the new stuff in.

[Fudbar]

Definately interested in any chance to taste good tequila.. keep me posted.

Re: tequila bars.. also this one on Ossington.. wonderful selection, but a bit pricey.. Reposado Tequila Bar Toronto

Thought the El Jim might be a mixto at that price.. damn.. still, here's hoping they start stocking the new 100% at similar prices.

Any idea where I might find agave juice/syrup in T.O.?

[wichie13]

Went to the Repo Bar once it was so crowded and hot that it was uncomfortable, so we left. Didn't have anything on the bar I hadn't tasted yet either... not a big surprise considering they can only sell what LCBO has/orders. Tried to special order once and they wanted to charge me $120 a bottle for ELTesoro anejo.... min. one case.

Agave Nectar, most health food stores carry it now, even find it at the Loblaws super store in the health food section. I like the lighter blends, I feel it mixs better in drinks. 4 copas has/had a clear nectar and it was the best I have tasted, tried to get Loblaws to carry it, sent them a sample I brought back from mexico and never heard anything... too bad. I have not yet seen a completely clear brand up here yet.
If you find one in T.O. let me know.

Originally Posted by Fudbar

Definately interested in any chance to taste good tequila.. keep me posted.

Re: tequila bars.. also this one on Ossington.. wonderful selection, but a bit pricey.. Reposado Tequila Bar Toronto

Thought the El Jim might be a mixto at that price.. damn.. still, here's hoping they start stocking the new 100% at similar prices.

Any idea where I might find agave juice/syrup in T.O.?