Pleasant surprise in a very inexpensive bottle... Tequila Agavales Blanco

[Kamikazee]

OK so this was a very unusual purchase for me. I usually go for the good stuff, which is usually pricey too. This was a very pleasant surprise. This is also the first time I've ever seen or heard of this brand.

I was in my favorite local liquor store this time actually looking for a bottle of inexpensive but drinkable tequila for making mixed drinks for parties. I spotted this bottle in the "el cheapo" area of the tequila section and what caught my eye was the prominent "100% de agave" on the label, which I'm used to only seeing on the good stuff. Yet there it was, on a super-cheap looking clear plastic bottle with black plastic screw-off cap, nestled in among the rot-gut variety of the cheapest mixtos. Let me say right now, I do NOT drink mixto tequilas. Ever. This was literally the most inexpensive bottle of tequila I have ever purchased, and it is NOT a mixto! I was intriged, so I looked closer. The front label identifies it as "Tequila Agavales Blanco". 80 proof. On the back label it says "Has been produced with the best agaves of the Jalisco Reigion." and again on the back "100% de agave". it also list on the back label "Produced and bottled under the supervision of the Mexican government by: PRODUCTOS FINOS DE AGAVE SA DE CV JESUS MARIA, JAL C.P. 47950" and "Imported And Distributed By Mexcor, Inc, Houston, TX 77018".

The price of the bottle was less than $20 for a 1.75L big bottle. Reluctant but curious, I took it home...

As with any new tequila I aquire, I decided to give it a fair tasting by itself before throwing it in the shaker and making margaritas. I really didn't expect much from it as the packaging is of the absolute cheapest variety, nondescript plastic bottle with molded-in handle. However, I decided rather than judge on appearance and dollars spent, I would let the juice talk to my tongue instead for the answers. I poured about an ounce (eyeballed) into a brandy snifter. Swirled it. Then I took the plunge.

First taste impression: "My GOD! Its actually good!" I quickly came to the realization that if this tequila came in a fancy glass bottle with a decorative cork stopper, people would be paying triple the price I paid and would still enjoy it and buy more at that price. It has a very pleasant nose, agave and cinnamon and a hint of something I can only describe as "buttery" in the texture... its spicy and smooth, with legs for days in the glass. This is not only drinkable, but one of the more pleasing blancos I've had the pleasure of trying. I actually like it better than my last bottle of Milagro!

I tried making some margaritas and mixed drinks with it, all with great success and delicious. I actually tasted it so many times that first night that I ended up a bit tipsy by the end of the evening. Pleasantly tipsy. The kind of feeling when everything is light and euphoric. I think I had about 8-10oz of the stuff in me by the end of the night, along with 2 or 3 ounces of other liqours from the drinks I was mixing. I had NO hint of hangover the following morning when I woke either, which to me says a good spirit with low impurities.

Who'd have thought a good 100% de agave blanco can be found for under $20 for a 1.75L It certainly surprised me. I came to tequila.net as I often have, looking for other reviews of it. Its not listed here to my knowledge yet. But if you see it in your store, give it a try and let me know what you think. I'd love some alternate opinions.

Happy tasting!

[MrAgave]

Very nice, a tequila bargain. Looks like I need to add them to the listings...

http://www.mexcor.com/agavales/index.html

[*45*]

the juice is ALWAYS more important than the presentation! I will be looking out for this product.

[bn087]

I purchased the Agaveles Blanco a couple weeks ago for margaritas....

It was only good for margaritas, I would much rather have LunAzul Blanco 100% Agave (16.99)...which I can take straight up or in mixed drinks.

But for the bargain price, you cant beat that....

[Kamikazee]

hmm... my bottle is very good even straight up... possible inconsistent batch quality
It also depends if you enjoy drinking blancos straight or not... this is a real blanco with full flavors. I'm not an anejo guy really... I'd rather taste the sharp fresh agave over the wood.

[bn087]

I agree with you completely...and though I doubt it was a bad batch; it very well could have been. Cheaper brands do have inconsistant qualities but I note that more in aged tequilas.

But the wonderful world of agave has taught me that my tasting notes have a lot of variance compared to others and its the same for everyone. I would try the agaveles again...I remember only paying 12.99 for a 750ml blanco and it works great in margaritas. And its a big hit at parties...

But as a sipper or go to I have to up my costs a little bit higher than Agaveles or LunAzul...Don Augustin Blanco is my "go-to" consistantly cheap blanco that I can score for about 21.00. Next in line is usually Fina Estampa. And for margaritas, I like the 70/30 Don Valente Tequilito Gold...although its a mixto it has exceptional qualities that differs it from the norm.

[Kamikazee]

thats cool... you pay a good bit less for your tequila than me.. where do you live/shop? I'm in Texas in the Dallas area so we have a lot of great tequilas to choose from, being as we are on the border with mexico... but my favorite local liquor store charges somewhat more than that for the nicer brands. like I said this was the cheapest bottle I'd ever purchased there at just under $20, anything else that is non-mixto and actually comes in a decent glass bottle there starts at around $30 and goes up from there. Are there bargains to be found online? Until recently I didn't even know if you could legally purchase alcohol online, but I see plenty of people here talking about it so I guess you can!

[bn087]

wineandliquordepot.com - my "go-to" internet store. The prices are great and there shipping rates are VERY good compared to the norm. You just have to call in the order or fax it. They have good customer support as well.

I live in Waco, Texas...just an hour and a half south of you. Locally our selection isnt great but Dicortes, Bad Bear Liquor, Wards, and GQ are the liquor stores of choice...but they are mostly all small discount stores with a tequila selection of maybe 20-40 choices. I also like to go down to Specs in Austin...

Prices here are average to slightly above average compared to internet pricing. I think you had mentioned purchasing a 1.5L bottle of Agavales for 20.00. I purchased the 750ml for 12.99 + tax....so it was about 14.50...it seems to a be a better deal for you guys up there.

[Piña]

wineandliquordepot.com is my go to store driving wise. Only 8 miles from my house and the prices are the best in town.

[mwegryn]

20-40 choices? Try maybe 10-15 on average here in NE Ohio. And that leaves about 6 choices after eliminating mixtos from the equation. I once saw a bottle of Cuervo RDF and had to make sure I wasn't seeing things Thank goodness for the internet stores.