Arrogante Tequila Anejo

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T February 25, 2007
 
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Arrogante Tequila Anejo

Tequila Review

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Arrogante
NOM
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Arrogante Anejo Tequila

Arrogante Anejo Tequila - Arrogante means "Arrogant", the name says it all. 100% Blue Agave, aged for 18 months in previously used Bourbon barrels.

Blue Agaves, used in production of Arrogante Tequila, are grown in the Highlands of Jalisco, known as "Los Altos". Due to the higher altitudes above sea level, these Agave plants take more time to mature than plants grown in the plains, and since it takes more time, the plants consolidate more Agave flavors and then impart these flavors into the final Tequila. In addition, Agave plants that are grown in the Highlands often yield a sweeter citrus flavor, and boast more vegan notes. Agave plants take 7 to 9 years to grow before they are perfect for harvest.

Planting, tending and harvesting the Agave plants remain a manual effort, unchanged by modern technologies, and stretching back hundreds of years. The men who harvest the ripe Agave, the "jimadores", possess generations of knowledge about the plants. The jimadores cut the stems off the plants with the "coa" (knife similar to a machete, but with the rounded blade), and harvest the "heart" of the Agave, which looks like a pineapple (that is why we call it "piña", which means pineapple). An Agave "piña" can weigh up to 80 kilos (normally, it weights around 45-60 kilos). These hearts of the Agave are used to produce Tequila.

We slow-bake our Blue Agaves via traditional methods, in stone ovens called “hornos”. This method ensures that the sugars are properly cooked and not caramelized. Only the juice from the first pressing of the baked Agaves is used, and is then slowly fermented ("mosto"), a process that requires approximately 72-96 hours. In an effort to reduce costs and speed up production, many other producers use stainless steel autoclaves to pressure cook the Agaves and jump-start fermentation with chemically treated commercial yeast. No such short cuts are practiced in the production of Arrogante Tequila. As with other spirits, that are aged in casks, Tequila takes on the flavors of the wood, while the harshness of the alcohol mellows. We age our Tequila in white oak barrels, previously used for bourbon production.

The closer a distillery follows traditional artisanal methods of Tequila production, the better the final result - taste and flavor of the spirit. The master distillers carefully preserve the secrets of production, which are passed from generation to generation. The careful adherence to the artisanal methods of production and strict quality control on each step of the way are the secrets behind the luscious smoothness and richness of flavors which characterize Arrogante Tequila.

Photos by TEQUILA.net



User reviews

2 reviews
Overall rating
 
94
Aroma-Nose
 
94(2)
Initial Taste
 
94(2)
Body
 
94(2)
Finish
 
95(2)
Enjoyability
 
95(2)
Price
 
93(2)
Presentation
 
96(2)
Arrogante Tequila Añejo
Overall rating
 
96
Aroma-Nose
 
95
Initial Taste
 
95
Body
 
96
Finish
 
97
Enjoyability
 
97
Price
 
95
Presentation
 
98
Arrogante Tequila Añejo comes in an unusual bottle that warrants immediate attention. In particular, the bottle's mouth is wider than any I have seen. In fact, there is a pouring spout on the lip of the bottle - a first for me. So - the presentation is quite impressive - but what about the liquid inside?
In a tasting glass, the añejo expression is a rich golden copper with hints of red. Legs stick like glue to the sides of the glass - and they will "pearl" as well as drain in streamers - very unusual but not unique. Clarity is not quite crystal clear. In the nose, I detect a wide variety of things but agave and floral influences are strong with undercurrents of fruit and spices; smells like heaven, frankly - a nice strong distinctive odor. Opening the mouth, i can break down the elements a bit more precisely to include vanilla, roasted agave and brown sugar. Now, for the first taste which mirrors the nose very closely. Of course, i must add a slight alcohol burn that rapidly fades in subsequent swallows. The pedigree (or finish) is fantastic with a low burn - cinnamon, pear, apple and more brown sugar.
This tequila should cost more based on the taste so it is a real bargain. It is going to go fast on my bar. If you have time to sip this over a fairly extended period of time - say two hours - it will mellow out and you would swear you are drinking a non-alcoholic version of tequila. HA! I never said that about a tequila before. Also, the mouth feel is very creamy - almost like a liqueur. I must admit the name "Arrongante" turned me off at first, but I can see why the makers of this juice were so confident.
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Overall rating
 
92
Aroma-Nose
 
92
Initial Taste
 
92
Body
 
92
Finish
 
92
Enjoyability
 
92
Price
 
91
Presentation
 
94
Price: $40-50/bottle

Aroma: Slow cooked agave with ripe fruit and hints of vanilla and spice.

Initial Taste: Even with the aging, the initial taste has plenty of agave. Ripe fruit is there as well with a touch of oak.

Body: A nice oily body that coats the mouth well. There's a lot of complexity without being overly sweet. Agave, fruit, oak, touch of vanilla caramel and a pleasant spice & pepper aspect. There's a lot of flavor, but it's all in good balance.

Finish: Again, a balanced finish where the spice comes through nicely for a medium length linger. A nice finish to a nice tequila.

I love it when an aged tequila doesn't lose tough with the agave essence that makes tequila so great. Arrogante Tequila does just that with this añejo. It's got nice barrel qualities, without being too sweet. Whatever, they're doing over at NOM 1467, they're doing it well. This is priced well at around $40, but the bottle presentation is high class and the juice is definitely a keeper.
TT
#1 Reviewer 414 reviews
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