Gold Tequilas

[ChavoCheque]

The Norm establishes that all 5 CLASSES of tequila (b, Oro/joven, r, a, XA) may be made within both CATEGORIES of tequila (Tequlla and 100% Agave Tequila).

The cheap mixto golds that y'all are referring to are blancos "softened" with caramel and other additives. However, 100% agave golds are (and have been) blancos "softened" with Reposado and/or añejo tequila. This should be the case in the recent rash of 100% gold releases.

I agree that from the marketing side, this is confusing to consumers and makes it so we can't just say "ignore golds, they're all mixtos". But the definition of. 100% agave gold tequila is clearly ESA listed in the norm, and shouldn't really trouble you any more than the addition of additives up to 1% by volume in ANY 100% product.

Personally, I am more worked up about the flagrant violation of the Norm by JC and DJ in fabricating classes of tequila like "Diamond" and "Añejo Claro." but I digress....


(sorry for sloppy typing, mobile device).

[ChavoCheque]

Originally Posted by El grano de oro

Mr. San Matias extra anejo
Is it A mixed? Huum!!

Yes, SMXA is a mixto extrasñejo. . Look at the bottle. It does not say 100% agave anywhere on it.

[ChavoCheque]

Originally Posted by Johnnyboots

I think 45 nailed it.

When I was in NYC, a lot of the bartenders referred to blanco's as silvers and repo/anejo's as gold..

While it is patently incorrect to call repos and añejos "golds," "blanco" and "plata" are interchangeable terms, and the Norm allows these terms to be translated directly into any language. Plata=silver. Silver is a legitimate term for a banco

Read your Norm, folks!

[fdmendez]

Originally Posted by ChavoCheque

Yes, SMXA is a mixto extrasñejo. . Look at the bottle. It does not say 100% agave anywhere on it.

I believe current bottling is 100 %. Older bottling was definitely not.

[SeattleJuan]

Originally Posted by ChavoCheque

Yes, SMXA is a mixto extrasñejo. . Look at the bottle. It does not say 100% agave anywhere on it.

If you are talking about the black Gran Reserva San Matias bottle this will add to the confusion. There are some from the last year or so that ARE 100% agave and have a tiny sticker on the front of the bottle that states that.

I have one in my collection and will be glad to share with you CC, next time you are in the NW. Soon I hope.

In WA state the soon to be out of business stores carry the full El Relingo line including the Gold in the 750ml and the 1.75L size as well as Zircon Azul gold in the 1L size. Both of those are 100% agave as stated on the label.

[ChavoCheque]

Thanks, guys. I stand corrected on the SMXA. The bottles currently on the shelves in Mexico are mixto.

SJ, l'll take you up on that offer! At risk of putting foot in mouth again, are you sure that ER gold is 100%? I still have a bottle from when Sergio first launched a couple years ago, and mine is definitely a mixto. Salud from Tequila!

[SeattleJuan]

CC, I am pretty sure it is 100% now. I think when it was first brought to market it was a mixto but later changed. I'll look the next time I am in a WA state store.

I know the Zircon Azul WAS a mixto when first brought in up here.

[3libras]

I've got a bottle of the all black SM Gran Reserve that I bought last year and it indeed says 100% agave on it, however, I never noticed this before. The whole bottle has gold writing on the bottle itself, but the 100% agave bit is actually a little sticker that has been put on the bottle. Interesting...

[gsars1]

The SM bottle I bought last Christmas says 100%, xa, black bottle with gold lettering.

[*45*]

even as a mixto San Matias Gran Reserva añejo is supposed to be 70/30, and gets good reviews from a lot of people. quite a while back (maybe 2006??) my bandmate/friend picked up a bottle that was filled in February of 2004 (the 375ml bottle on the right), I don't remember much about it except that we found it to be overly oaky for our taste at that time. fast forward to 2009, I picked up a 750ml bottle that had a 100% Agave sticker added to it (filled in June 2008 ). good stuff, but I do prefer the Orgullo. not sure when it became an "extra añejo", but I believe the SMGR has always been aged for 3+ years, and has never been considered a "gold" tequila.