Life Beyond Patron

Patron tequila is perhaps the best marketed product in tequila history. That’s why you know the name! The Patron Spirits Company was founded in 1989 and has become every distillery’s success model. Those who start their tequila journey with Jose Cuervo often shift towards Patron (a natural transition if you ask me.) Both are well known, have large marketing budgets, and appeal to younger audiences.

I am here to tell you that your tequila experience should not be limited to Jose Cuervo and Patron. If so, you are definitely missing out. In my opinion, there’s more marketing than tequila in Patron. Just to be clear, Patron is NOT bad, it’s just not the best you can get for the price in my opinion. The flip side of this is that it’s EVERYWHERE. Bars, nightclubs, retail stores, your friend’s liquor cabinet… trust me, it’s there. If an establishment is going to have only a few tequila’s, they will have Patron, it’s that marketing thing again. All in all, Patron’s a safe bet, but don’t let the price fool you into thinking it’s the best.  Soooo… the whole purpose of this section of the publication is to introduce you to the afterlife. So here we go. First lets go through some tequila basics and then we will continue with some of my favorite picks (life after Patron:)

TEQUILA TYPES
With close to 1000 Tequila brands to choose from, it helps to know the different types of Tequilas and the categories they fall into. Strict regulations on labeling assist the consumer in determining the type of the spirit, where it was produced, and the term it was aged (if any). The main two types of Tequila are first split into two categories, 100% Blue Agave, and Tequila Mixto (Mixed). Mixto Tequila contains a minimum of 51% Blue Agave, and the remaining 49% from other sugars. The additional products allowed in Mixto Tequilas are caramel color, oak extract flavoring, glycerin, and sugar based syrup. Since January 6, 2006. Common brands of Mixtos are Jose Cuervo, Sauza and El Jimador. By reading the label on the bottle you can tell which classification it is in, as all Tequila that is made from 100% Blue Agave will say “Tequila 100% de agave” or “Tequila 100% puro de agave”. All other Mixto Tequila labels will only read “Tequila.” Got it?

The above two categories of Tequila are then divided into the following five types of Tequila and are labelled as such:

Tequila Silver – Blanco – Plata – White – Platinum
This is the Blue Agave spirit in its purest form. It is clear and typically un-aged, where the true flavors and the intensity of the Agave are present, as well as the natural sweetness. It can be bottled directly after distillation, or stored in stainless steel tanks to settle for up to 4 weeks. This tequila can be the harshest in taste, but can also be irresistibly powerful for all those who dare to try it. There’s no better way to fully experience the essence of pure blue agave… just don’t expect any subtleties from it. It can mix well, but hardcore tequila aficionados will always drink it straight up.

Tequila Gold (- Joven – Oro) blahh
Gold Tequila is typically a Mixto, where colorants and flavorings have been added prior to bottling. These “young and adulterated” Tequilas are less expensive and are the common “well” brands used for “mixed drinks”. This type wont be talked about in the future because well….they are wells. Well tequila is well tequila. Jaurez, Pepe Lopez and Montezuma are the local wells…. YAWN

Tequila Reposado
A Reposado Tequila is the first stage of “rested and aged” and are sometimes referred to as such. The Tequila is aged in American or French oak wood barrels or storage tanks between 2 months and 11 months. The spirit takes on a golden hue and the taste becomes a good balance between the Agave and wood flavors. Some Tequilas are aged in used bourbon / whiskey, cognac, or wine barrels, and will inherit unique flavors and color from the previous spirit. With a reposado, you are dealing with a very versatile yet subtle combination. A good reposado retains enough of the agave punch of a blanco but the 2 to 11 month aging in the oak barrel give it a richer more sophisticated woody flavor. By the way, reposados are the most popular type of tequila, since it’s both a sipper and a mixer. You can never go wrong with a good reposado!

Tequila Añejo (extra aged)
Tequila can then be classified as an “Añejo” after aging for at least one year. This longer aging process darkens the Tequila to an Amber color, and the flavor become much smoother, richer, and more complex. Anejo tequila is sought after like a fine cigar. Not everyone can handle (or afford) a premium anejo. Think of anejo tequila as a high-class aged spirit such as a good bourbon or scotch. Since it must remain in oak barrels for 1 to 3 years it provides a more complex flavor than the reposado. A good Anejo is top-class material. You’ll feel more elegant yourself just by sipping it. Swirl it in the snifter, let it breath and experience the change. Anejo tequila should not be mixed with any other ingredients. If, however, you cannot resist the urge to prepare a premium margarita, make sure the ingredients you DO use are top-notch as well. The damn thing’s been aged for years! Don’t go using a cheap mix…

Tequila Extra Añejo (ultra aged)
A new classification was added in the summer of 2006, labeling any Tequila aged more than 3 years, an “Extra Añejo”. With this extended amount of aging, the Tequila becomes much darker, more of a Mahogany color, and is so rich that it becomes difficult to distinguish it from other quality aged spirits. These Extra Añejo’s are extremely smooth and complex. Some can be compared to a fine bourbon or coniac.

The CASA NOBLE tri-fecta
This is one distillery that got all three (Silver, Repo and Anejo) of their types right. I won’t even talk about their single barrel or 5 year anejos (if you can find them) other than to say that they are awesome, just the basic three.

A PARTING TIP:
Drink good tequila from a small snifter or wine glass, never a shot glass. For one reason, the snifter lets the tequila breath and delivers the “nose” portion of the fine tequila sipping experience. But more importantly, a shot glass limits the pour. You can only put so much in a shot glass. Think about it!