Tequila Newbie

[totallytequila]

Originally Posted by jdjohn84

Keep in mind that extra anejos have a woody component that can often overpower the remaining agave flavor after prolonged aging. If you want a lot of agave flavor, but a smooth finish, I would recommend sticking with a reposado or regular anejo. As far as the vanilla and caramel taste, Clase Azul repo definitely has that, but you can't go wrong with Casa Noble repo or anejo either. I would personally go with CNA.

Just out of curiosity jdjohn, have you ever sampled any ET 70th? I agree that the oak in certain XA's can be overbearing, however this is NOT the case with ET 70th. IMHO...and I know that there are many aficionados who will agree with me on this, Carlos Camarena hit a grand slam with this juice! Here are some facts to back up the agave intensity of this XA:
"El Tesoro Aniversario was made from agave harvested in 2000 by Carlos and his late father. The typical sugar content of blue agave lies between 30-33%.This agave had the highest sugar content of any of the plants they had ever harvested, 37%. Carlos says that El Tesoro Aniversario is "soft and sweet, with scents of chocolate and vanilla and a hint of spice. There are stronger tastes of oak, with an almond-like flavor, and a rich agave finish."
The funny thing is that he almost forgot all about this tequila. The aging process began in conjunction with his father. Then after his dad passed away it "accidently" sat in the wood for seven years before he stumbled back upon it! Even he did not know how that length of time would affect the flavor and agave presence. Low and behold, after sampling this "liquid gold", he rushed to have every last drop bottled so that it would be ready for the distillery's 70th anniversary on 7/7/07!

So.....If you want a lot of agave flavor, combined with unbelievable complexity, ET 70th would still be my choice!

[hondajustin]

Now that's funny I just found a bottle of ET70 today. Can't go wrong with that.

[jdjohn84]

I have not had the opportunity to try ET70 yet. I wish I could find it around here. But that's good to know about the taste, and a great story! I did, however, just get a bottle of CNXASB 8yr, and it is amazing. I can highly recommend it, but I guess my interpretation of what the original poster wanted was more of the true tequila experience, with wood only playing a very minor role in the taste.

Lots of good suggestions in this thread, so hopefully plenty of food (or tequila) for thought!

[1tequila2]

A34 Quote: "I am a person who loves flavor, robust flavor if that makes sense,spirits that lack ump and robustness and a world of flavors and pure agave are not me".

I would think this should pretty much eliminate most everything but Extra Añejo's.
Tonala 4yr., Herencia Historico, Ray Sol, ET 70th are a few that come to mind.

[*45*]

Originally Posted by Acole34

I am a person who loves flavor, robust flavor if tht makes sense,spirits that lack ump and robustness and a world of flavors and pure agave are not me.

does not compute. does not compute does not compute.

when using quality agave and taking the time during production, there are a TON of flavors in a pure agave spirit with out the need for oak. BIG, ROBUST flavors!