Newbie looking for some help with a choice...

[AxeSlash]

OK so recently I've got into a variety of alcoholic beverages I've previously shunned in favour of my usual cider.

One of which is tequila.

We splashed on a bottle of Don Julio anejo recently, which was well received although perhaps a little too...I dunno, 'sour' is the wrong word. I ended up mixing it with a little agave nectar to get it to my taste. Would I be better off with a repo or blanco?

So anyway, the DJ is now all gone, and to fill the gap I've discovered a love of Grand Marnier, but I'm itching for a new bottle of tequila.

Having had the misfortune of trying Cuervo gold again in our local after getting used to DJ, I can safely say I will be avoiding it like the goddamn plague.

So, my choices so far (based on availability and price - being in the UK makes both of those pretty difficult) are limited to:

El Jimador Repo
Arette Repo
Tapatio Anejo
Don Julio Blanco

They're all in the £20-30 bracket over here at the mo, with El Jimador being cheapest and Tapatio the most expensive (as you would expect with it being an Anejo).


I tend to take tequila straight as a sipper in a snifter, and the Mrs likes it in cocktails (usually a sunrise or a marg). Having got into liqeurs recently, we tend to like sweeter stuff.


Which of these would be best for us do you think? Or are there any other nicely-priced quality bottles available in the UK that I've overlooked?

Thanks in advance

[1tequila2]

Welcome to the forum! Your tastes seem to be cover a sweeter spectrum of likes. If your looking for a "sugary sweet" tequila I believe you'll be hard pressed to find anything "straight" that is close to Grand Marnier or Don Julio with a slug of agave nectar added. You'll find that most here enjoy tequila sipped straight and 100% agave. If you're looking to go sweeter that Don Julio w/agave nectar the repo and blanco will not be the way to go as they are both less sweet usually than añejo's. For now, stick with añejo's. Search "sweet añejo" and see if any of those listed are available in your area, then look for a bar to see if you can try a few different ones. Let us know which of the sweeter añejo's you like.

[Bostonguy]

My suggestion would be Riazul Anejo. Its the sweetest Tequila I have had so far, and very tasty too! It comes in a fairly simple rectangle bottle much like Trago.

[gsars1]

I have to disagree with DJ anejo being sweeter than their repo. I feel that the DJ repo is the best of the 3 (not including 1942 or Real of course). I felt it was sweeter than the anejo, which I think was a little sour or harsh as well. Just my opinion of course.

[AxeSlash]

Cheers guys

Just to clarify - I'm not looking for anything as sweet as GM (indeed, these days I'm looking for ways to make GM less sweet for sipping), just something a little sweeter than DJ's anejo.

Agavero sounds interesting (a tequila liqueur), although from reviews I've read it's VERY sweet, so I'm guessing I may need to mix it with a straight tequila to get the balance we're looking for.

The DJ anejo was maybe a bit too woody for us, so I think a repo may be a better way to go, but I've never tried a blanco and so am curious...

[totallytequila]

Originally Posted by AxeSlash

Cheers guys

Just to clarify - I'm not looking for anything as sweet as GM (indeed, these days I'm looking for ways to make GM less sweet for sipping), just something a little sweeter than DJ's anejo.

Agavero sounds interesting (a tequila liqueur), although from reviews I've read it's VERY sweet, so I'm guessing I may need to mix it with a straight tequila to get the balance we're looking for.

The DJ anejo was maybe a bit too woody for us, so I think a repo may be a better way to go, but I've never tried a blanco and so am curious...

Agavero is a blend of 100% repo & anejo tequilas along with Damiana flower. Due to it's sweetness, is better served as a dessert aperitif. I don't know if it is available in the UK but Clase Azul Repo is one you may want to try. It definetely has that sweeter flavor profile that you may be looking for. Good luck!

[jdjohn84]

Clase Azul repo is definitely sweet, but a little pricey - about $100USD where I live.

My girlfriend has finally started enjoying tequila now, and she likes Herradura repo for mixing. I suggested it to her as a fruity and *slightly* sweet tequila; actually more fruity than anything. She mixes it with pure lime juice and agave nectar. It's also a very decent sipper, so we can both enjoy it in our own way.

[habañejo]

Tapatio anejo should be the best of the bunch! I wish I could get it here. Same distiller as El Tesoro.

[1tequila2]

Originally Posted by gsars1

I have to disagree with DJ anejo being sweeter than their repo. I feel that the DJ repo is the best of the 3 (not including 1942 or Real of course). I felt it was sweeter than the anejo, which I think was a little sour or harsh as well. Just my opinion of course.

Completely agree gsars1, that's why I added the "usually". I too enjoy the DJ repo best and it's sweeter too. Never tried the DJ Real but hope to soon. I worked out a deal with my local Mexican cuisine hang out who recently placed a bottle of Real on the bar shelf. At $65 a shot I had to pass, but they make me a killer fresh Marg with a side shot each time I go in for $15. So I made a deal with them that after another 5 visits and Margs they'll sell me a shot for 20.00. Can't wait to crack that bottle!

[wichie13]

Definately try the Tapatio and the Arette, these are great traditional tequilas and IMHO taste great.

Originally Posted by AxeSlash

OK so recently I've got into a variety of alcoholic beverages I've So, my choices so far (based on availability and price - being in the UK makes both of those pretty difficult) are limited to:

El Jimador Repo
Arette Repo
Tapatio Anejo
Don Julio Blanco

Thanks in advance