How Do You Choose A Tequila

[blagave]

I am curious how one chooses between all the brands of tequila on the market.
1. why would you buy a blanco and would you choose something new?
2. why do you buy a Repo, is it for a sipper or do you mix and what would make you try a new brand.

Also, how many of you have tried Mezcal and are you intrigued to try new brands.

I would really appreciate to hear your views.

[El grano de oro]

I am a tequilero by choice, but that doesnt mean I am not willing to taste
or try mezcal. I have tried very few mezcal brands, and have like most of
them. mezcal has been around just as long as tequila has, at one time mezcal was considered as a poormans liquor.
or a low quality liquor compared to tequila. but now it is gaining popularity, because the taste & quality of mezcal has increased. the same way I believe tequila is improving its quality and taste. I myself preferr the taste of anejos,although my taste buds are liking the taste of some blancos. so far its been good. maybe I can get to like reposados.
I believe you have to give other juices a try. like pulke, aguamiel, sotol & others. if you dont try it youll never know what you might be missing out.

[sipper]

For myself, I started off as an anejo fan, with Don Julio (in the old round bottles), and then read reviews of other anejos, which I tried by the glass or bought 50 ml bottles to see if I liked it. I thought, wrongly, that reposado and blanco were "lesser" versions but what I have learned is that it is similar to blonde, brunette, redhead - sometimes you just want a blanco... other times you have an itch for a repo....

Ultimately, the joy of tequila is that you get many varieties and intensities of this magical drink, and it's an exciting journey to find out what you like.

How do I choose? I often read reviews here and make up a shopping list for my next Mexico trip. I admit, I am swayed by tastings and great bottles (Clase Azul!) but I prefer the older varieties, not these new ones that are selling an image.

[blagave]

So, if a new brand came to your local store or you could buy it online, what draws you to the bottle to buy it?

1. Price
2. Bottle design
3. Read an article
4. Recommendation.

I am trying to understand why someone would change from there go to brands to try another. Tequila is one of the few liquors with such a complex process and multiple types / aging, similar to the uniqueness of Scotch's. Vodkas, Gins, Rums etc. don't have anywhere as many brands let alone constant new brands coming out every few months.

As far as Mezcal, this is a wide open untapped market, Mezcal could be the next big Liquor to hit and would be more affordable, since they use a variety of different Agave plants to make there juice. We all know Tequila had a terrible reputation for many years because of drinking to much JC and puking the next day. Thanks to Patrons marketing, Tequila got some what of a new image, but there are still those who think of tequila as getting drunk taking your cloths off and getting sick. The beautiful thing about Mezcal is that there is no stigma around the liquor since people are not aware of it.

Again, just wondering how the consumer tries new products and if they passed a new bottle of Mezcal in the store, would they try it.

What makes you want to try an new liquor for the first time
1. Taste through a friend or try at a restaurant/bar
2. You try new liquors at a tasting...if so how often do you do tastings
3. Cheap price at store, so you take a gamble.
4. Read and article

Thanks for your input

[sipper]

Price is a factor - note I did not mention extra anejos! I have a mental list of up to 30 US for a blanco, 40 for repo (other than clase azul, that stuff is worth a kidney, at least!), and a range of 40-85 for anejo, depending.

How it looks: I like it to look MEXICAN, like it's been appreciated for a few generations. I don't like the hyperstylized look of graphics - I do not want to look at something from the 21st century. (Of course, quality of juice is number one, but all things being equal, I'm talking about the other factors). Two labels that strike my artistic side are Kah and Chamucos. Kah is just an awesome bottle - haven't got it in my neck of the woods yet - but yeah, I would pay $200 bucks for their extra anejo with 700 Swarovski crystals. Chamucos' designer should be getting some kind of award, as it evokes the spirit of Mexico, merriment and mayhem with its devilish label. I could easily see it on a wooden table in 1910 being enjoyed by senoritas and their admirers.

Tequila and Mezcal are, to me, liquors on the cutting edge. They do have a reputation to overcome, especially tequila which equals JC Especial in first year college, leaving one with a sense of shame and regret, and a vow to "NEVER AGAIN" do that! But once you explain the history, the quality, the pure craftsmanship of the beverage, I find it is easy to convince the single malt types to take a walk on the agave side.

I have heard that Del Maguey is a good brand of mezcal (and believe me, my bar has the bottle of Gusano Rojo with the worm - it's a conversation starter), but when I looked at the prices, I found it was often pricier than tequila. My thinking is, with approximately 900 varieties of tequila, why would I start collecting something new? also, I live in an area with limited alcohol choices, so when I'm in Mexico, I get the hard to find stuff that's Mexico-only.

However, you have a booth and a sample and I'm gonna try it. If there's a coupon or gift with purchase (set of caballitos), I am much more likely to get in there and succumb to the call of the Weber siren.

JMHO. YMMV. Great thread - btw - thanks for bringing it up!

[blagave]

Thanks Sipper, really appreciate the feedback.

Originally Posted by sipper

Price is a factor - note I did not mention extra anejos! I have a mental list of up to 30 US for a blanco, 40 for repo (other than clase azul, that stuff is worth a kidney, at least!), and a range of 40-85 for anejo, depending.

How it looks: I like it to look MEXICAN, like it's been appreciated for a few generations. I don't like the hyperstylized look of graphics - I do not want to look at something from the 21st century. (Of course, quality of juice is number one, but all things being equal, I'm talking about the other factors). Two labels that strike my artistic side are Kah and Chamucos. Kah is just an awesome bottle - haven't got it in my neck of the woods yet - but yeah, I would pay $200 bucks for their extra anejo with 700 Swarovski crystals. Chamucos' designer should be getting some kind of award, as it evokes the spirit of Mexico, merriment and mayhem with its devilish label. I could easily see it on a wooden table in 1910 being enjoyed by senoritas and their admirers.

Tequila and Mezcal are, to me, liquors on the cutting edge. They do have a reputation to overcome, especially tequila which equals JC Especial in first year college, leaving one with a sense of shame and regret, and a vow to "NEVER AGAIN" do that! But once you explain the history, the quality, the pure craftsmanship of the beverage, I find it is easy to convince the single malt types to take a walk on the agave side.

I have heard that Del Maguey is a good brand of mezcal (and believe me, my bar has the bottle of Gusano Rojo with the worm - it's a conversation starter), but when I looked at the prices, I found it was often pricier than tequila. My thinking is, with approximately 900 varieties of tequila, why would I start collecting something new? also, I live in an area with limited alcohol choices, so when I'm in Mexico, I get the hard to find stuff that's Mexico-only.

However, you have a booth and a sample and I'm gonna try it. If there's a coupon or gift with purchase (set of caballitos), I am much more likely to get in there and succumb to the call of the Weber siren.

JMHO. YMMV. Great thread - btw - thanks for bringing it up!

[1tequila2]

I only buy, spend my hard earned money, on something I like or that I'm likely to like based on trusted reviews or recommendations. Common sense prevails. Looks and presentation may play somewhat of a role in a decision, but not much. It played a big part when I was first starting out? Price is always a top concern of mine, what's it worth?, is always a go to rule. I would not "try" a new tequila without a good reference or something that made me feel like I wouldn't be wasting my money. Good example of this was my purchase of El Capo. Blind purchase, equals disappointed. A lot of your questions are directed at the California crowd. Here in Va. there is no such thing as tastings and store prices rarely change. SIGH!!!! So we can only trust/have certain options. I usually make up a "to buy" list based on tequilas I really want to enjoy. I try to balance it with new untried brands/types and trusted favorites. This list changes quite frequently and I never know until right before ordering what I'll get. Mezcal is a different animal to me and I have learned to enjoy it. I've only gone with Del Maguey. ChiChi, love it. San Luis del Rio, love it, and Minero, which I have not cracked yet as it's an old treasure bottle. Just not inspired to buy anything else. They have been for the most part much more expensive than tequilas. I can't see them ever being more popular than tequila. Tried Sotol, didn't care for it. Lastly expendable income plays a big part on what you buy. If the sky's the limit on spirits then more power to ya and try away at all the new or treasure stuff you can get your hands on. I got limits, but still have been greatly blessed to have enjoyed some of the greats with a little help from my friends.

[IceCold]

When I first started I thought it was a given that anything in a wine bottle with a screw top was swill, more than enough bottles have passed through my hands to know that isn't the case for sure.

I also thought that the fancier the bottle and the higher the price, the better the juice, again I was proven wrong there once or twice.

Haven't found a consistent marker for what is good and what is bad without cracking the top so it's almost always blind with a grain of salt I may procure here.


O h well, just keep trying them out I suppose...

[3libras]

My initial foray into tequila was mostly swayed by the bottle. One of my first real purchases was Milagro Barrel Select anejo. I admit that was partly based on the bottle and I didn't know too much about the variety back then, but even today I still do enjoy that tequila quite a bit, have bought that bottle again.

As my tequila world has grown I made it a point to try as many tequilas as I could at different bars and such. I would find tequila bars and literally just randomly try tequilas that I know I hadn't had. I think I went through almost their full selection at a tequila bar in Miami while there. :-) My tastes expanded and to a degree I would look at a bottle and think, ok that looks interesting I'll try that. Sometimes it would be good, sometimes I'd be disappointed. But it was shot by shot mostly, so it didn't cost me as much as buying bottles. I've recently tried shots of Hacienda de la Flor. I admit, the bottle attracted me to it, but it was also served locally here so I was able to sample it. I liked it, and my wife very much enjoyed the silver and I think that may be the next bottle purchase.

Nowadays, I have since found this website and expanded my tastes a bit and I know where to find info on tequilas. I know about searching for NOMs, and discovered some NOMs do have quality behind them, like 1079 for me. I love most of what they produce. I read reviews and find that my tastes seem to favor the highland distilleries. On occasion I will buy a bottle without having tasted it but just off the reputation I have read online about it. This accounts for Muchote, Kah, Corrido, Don Valente, VooDoo Tiki and many others, all of which I have enjoyed thus far. Some of those partly bottle influenced, while others obviously not.

Money wise, I always try to save up a little before heading into a purchase, and I don't mind spending 3 figures on tequila if I think it will be worth it. Being down here in NZ though, it's not cheap. I'm lucky if I can find El Jimador for under $40nzd, and most of the other good stuff is well above $100nzd if I can find it. Thus, whenever I head back to So Cal I stop by Hi Time or Ramirez and grab a few bottles to take back. I do try to make the most of my money, but again, aren't afraid to spend a bit for a good bottle if I think it will be worth it.

I've tried Mezcal a couple times, one I think a cheap one and another a better quality one. I've decided it's not for me. There's something about it I just don't care for as much. I'm definitely a tequila guy, and so is my wife. So I don't think that will be a new liquor we'll be heading into.

Essentially, I've been trying new brands any chance I get if I can find them at a bar, or I will now otherwise search for reviews. The bottle will play a little if I'm at a bar and I'm looking for something to try by shot, but buying a whole bottle I'm more likely to go look for reviews or recommendations now before buying it blind. I like anejos, my wife silvers, but I enjoy a good silver too, and know that usually means a good anejo as well. We use a repo for mixing. We're always open to trying new tequilas, otherwise we don't know what we could be missing. I agree with IceCold, I haven't found a marker yet either, and there's no way to know unless you crack it open. Hope this helps a little.

[RJC5XTC]

Usually I will pick up a new bottle based on - as others have said - a combination of factors. Some of the factors in not particular order include:

1. Recommendation - hearing from other tequila aficionados or reading on the forum about a tequila someone liked.

2. Price - If the price is reasonable I don't mind taking a bit of a plunge on an unknown. I can always serve it in a margarita if I don't like it.

3. Packaging - If the bottle / label are catchy I will tend to take a second look or make a purchase. This is the least scientific as I have had some nice tequila in pretty plain bottles and some unpleasant tequila in some nice bottles.

4. NOM's - I try and remember which NOM's have produced tequila I enjoyed, but can't seem to remember as many as I would like.

I keep an unofficial grouping for the tequila I have - something like Really nice / special occasion, Go to's for nice sipping, back of the shelf for those I haven't liked as much, and the never never's for those I might not even put in a margarita.

I have tried several mescal's and have to say I am not very fond of them, nor of Sotol.

If there is something that I know I like and hear it is no longer being made I will try and buy an extra bottle for some special time in the future (Fina Estampa comes to mind).

Robert