Tequila Side X Side Blind 2016 Winter Taste-Off

A blind taste testing of samples from four different categories on separate days. Again we will not being doing a breakdown of all the minutiae of each individual distillery or process. Besides there are helpful tools or tequila matchmaker apps for such information or perhaps visit the brands' social media and website. Bottles have been opened for a minimum 2 months, except for one which is from a sample bottle. Keep in mind that every palate is uniquely different, what we may enjoy you may not. Besides, is taste subjective or objective? At certain points we found ourselves reaching for an aroma kit or spices & herbs jars in the kitchen pantry. Riedel tequila glasses and Glencairn whisky glasses were used.


Blanco:

Brand (A): Appearance: clear, colourless, forming skinny, slow legs on the side of the glass. Aroma: cooked agave, pepper, beef jerky?, ripe fruit (banana?), some alcohol. Flavour: cooked agave, crisp, some sweetness (honey?), mild spice, roasted yam?, peanuts and caramel corn? Semi-oily upon entry - some tingling numbness on the lips, gums and in the middle of the mouth - mild sweetness and spice (pepper) in the back. Finish: short to medium - tad dry and briny - crisp roasted agave - mild heat. Mildly Recommended 

Brand (B): Appearance: clear, colourless, forming skinny, medium legs on the sides of the glass. Aroma: baked agave, earthy (grassy?), honey?, spicy pepper (jalapeño?), hint of floral and fruit (citrus), mild alcohol. Flavour: baked agave, some sweetness (honey?) and spiciness (jalapeño?) - vegetal notes seem to compete with subtle salty-black licorice and mild earthy (smokey?) notes. Medium oily upon entry that pleasantly coats the mouth - heavy numbness on the lips, gums and mouth. Even felt in the nasal passage. A minty herbal - spicy note lingers from the middle to the back followed with a slight alcohol burn. Warming. Enjoyable. Finish: nice medium-long finish with lingering baked agave, spiciness with sweet black licorice. It sort of reminded one person of Astral blanco tequila. Very Recommended


Brand (C): Appearance: crystal clear, colourless, forming thin, medium legs on the sides of the glass. Aroma: baked agave, crisp and earthy (grassy?), some sweet honeyed smokiness, floral, citrus and green pepper. Flavour: mild earthiness with crisp cooked agave notes, hints of honey and peppermint?, and creaminess accompanied with hints of spiciness. A little light upon entry with some numbing sensation on the lips, gums and mouth. Slightly oily-creamy and some mint and alcohol in the back of the mouth. Finish: Medium finish with cooked agave and a nice lingering citrus and mint aftertaste. Recommended

Brand (D): Appearance: crystal clear, shiny hues, forming thin, medium legs on the sides of the glass. Aroma: baked agave, citrus (lemon tea?), floral (eucalyptus?), and subtle pepper. Flavour: mild earthiness with deep cooked agave notes, hints of honey and herbs (mint?), and creamy butter? accompanied with citrus and hints of pepper. A little light upon entry with mild numbing sensation on the lips, gums and mouth. Slightly oily-creamy (silky?) and some spicy citrus notes and alcohol in the back of the mouth. Finish: Medium finish with cooked agave and a nice lingering citrus and herbal aftertaste. Very Recommended



Reposado:

Brand (E): Appearance: straw, light golden hues, forming medium, slow legs on the side of the glass. Aroma: crisp cooked agave, vegetal almost herbal (oregano or basil?), fruit, tobacco, hint of spice and vanilla. Flavour: mild crisp cooked agave, hint of oak, spice (white pepper?), herbal-fruitiness (dried ripe cherry?), hint of creaminess, vanilla and buttered caramel, some sweetness (raw honey?). Slightly oily upon entry that coats the mouth accompanied with some subtle dryness. Some numbness on the lips, gums and mouth. Herbal - butterscotch - mild sweetness - spice notes linger from the middle to the back of the mouth followed with a slight alcohol burn. Enjoyable barrel influence. Finish: medium finish with mild crisp cooked agave, grassiness?, spice, and raw cookie dough?. Slightly dry finish. Nice influences imposed on by the barrel. Very Recommended

Brand (F): Appearance: pale golden colour. Large-fast legs that cling to the sides of the glass.. Aroma: cooked agave, fruity (raisins?), spice (rosemary?), vanilla, some sweetness (raw honey?). Flavour: cooked agave, creamy vanilla, slightly burnt caramel mocha, mild black licorice (anise?), fruit? Slighly oily upon entry that pleasantly coats the mouth - silky feel - mild numbness on the lips, gums and mouth. A peppermint herbal - cinnamon cocoa note lingers in the back followed with some mild alcohol. Finish: medium to long finish with mild cooked agave, spice and herbal notes that linger. Nice balanced flavours. A blend of tequila aged in older used oak barrels and toasted new oak barrels? Tasty. Recommended

Brand (G): Appearance: golden straw, amber hues, forming thin, medium legs on the side of the glass. Aroma: baked agave, spice (pepper), fruit (dried plums?), vanilla-caramel, some earthiness (burnt peat?).  Flavour: mild baked agave, pepper, fruitiness, creamy (buttery?), nougat? Medium oily upon entry that pleasantly coats the mouth - some numbness on the lips, gums and mouth. A spicy cinnamon note lingers from the middle to the back followed with some alcohol burn. Enjoyable. Finish: short to medium with mild agave, spice, with lingering smokey tobacco note. Guessing 'used' Scotch oak barrels were used. Recommended

Brand (H): Appearance: golden straw, amber hues, forming medium, slow legs on the side of the glass. Aroma: caramel, mild alcohol, toasted nuts?, dried ginger?, roasted marshmallow, fruit, some minerality.  Flavour: brown sugar and honeyed vanilla, grassy, pepper, fruitiness (melon?), caramel. Slightly oily upon entry that coats the mouth - some numbness on the lips, gums and mouth. Pepper - baking spices - roasted shiitake - oak tannin notes linger from the middle to the back followed with a mild alcohol burn. Warming. Enjoyable. Finish: nice - medium-long finish with lingering spices, charred oak. A tad astringent. Ok this isn't an agave spirit. It's quite tasty whatever it is (Rum?). Recommended


Añejo:

Brand (I): Appearance: bright golden yellow, forming thick, medium legs on the side of the glass. Aroma: baked agave, caramel, citrus, roasted nuts?, bay leaf?, mild baking spices. Flavour: baked agave, hints of oak, creamy caramel, barbecue smoked and spiced nuts?, cocoa, mild pepper, fruit (dried cherry?). Medium oily upon entry that coats the mouth - slight numbness on the lips, gums and mouth. Pepper - baking spices - nutty - cocoa notes linger from the middle to the back followed with a slight alcohol burn. Finish: nice - medium creamy finish with lingering cooked agave, cocoa, and spices. Nicely balanced. Pleasing sipper. Recommended

Brand (J): Appearance: dark golden yellow, forming thick, medium legs on the side of the glass. Aroma: baked agave, caramel, ripe fruit, musky tobacco?, hint of cinnamon, mild oak, baking spices, old leather? Flavour: baked agave, pepper, hints of oak, candied fruit?, slight earthiness, creamy vanilla caramel, hint of cocoa. Slightly oily upon entry that pleasantly coats the mouth - some minerality - strong numbness on the lips, gums and mouth. Earthy - spicy - salty-sweetness notes linger from the middle to the back followed with a slight alcohol burn. Finish: nice medium finish with lingering cooked agave, peppermint? and cinnamon. Recommended

Brand (K): Appearance: dark golden, yellow hues, forming thick, medium legs on the side of the glass. Aroma: mild baked agave, smokey, spicy (pepper), floral?, fruity (citrus), earthy. Flavour: baked agave, pepper, smoke, cinnamon, hints of oak, nutty?, slight earthiness, creamy vanilla caramel, hint of cocoa, orange Tic Tacs? Medium oily upon entry that coats the mouth - some minerality - strong numbness on the lips, gums and mouth. Earthy - baking spices - bourbon (corn?) notes linger from the middle to the back followed with a slight alcohol burn. Finish: nice medium-long finish with mild cooked agave, lingering smoke and spice. Used bourbon oak barrels? Very Recommended

Brand (L): Appearance: deep gold, amber hues, forming thin, medium legs on the side of the glass. Aroma: baked agave, creamy butter, chocolate fudge? ripe cherry, mild spice (pepper), nutty?, earthy (grassy?). Flavour: baked agave, pepper, mild tobacco, candied spiced nuts, hints of cedar?, slight grassiness, caramel, hint of cocoa. Medium oily upon entry that coats the mouth mild numbness on the lips, gums and mouth. Slightly spicy - roasted nuts - cedar notes linger in the back followed with a mild alcohol burn. Finish: nice medium finish with cooked agave, some lingering chocolate fudge and spicy tobacco. Recommended

Extra Añejo:

Brand (M): Appearance: deep dark golden, amber hues, forming fat, medium legs on the side of the glass. Aroma: mild cooked agave, creamy buttery peanut brittle, roasted dark coffee beans?, Christmas spice cake?, hint of sawdust (cedar?), new leather?, fruity (strawberry and black-cherries?), hint of floral (jasmine?), mild alcohol. Flavour: cooked agave, nutty, mild vanilla, some chocolate caramel, fig-raisin?, pepper, mild tobacco, nutty, some cinnamon, hint of toasted sawdust?. Medium oily upon entry - some dryness - that coats the mouth mild numbness on the lips, gums and mouth. Roasted coffee - spicy fruity cinnamon - buttery corn pastry? notes linger from the middle to the back followed with a mild alcohol burn. Warming. Finish: nice medium-long finish with cooked agave, some lingering earthy (grassy?), subtle sweetness-spice, smokiness, and hint of vanilla and raisin-mint?. Fun sipper. Layers upon layers of flavours. Some similarities with (N). Very Recommended

Brand (N): Appearance: dark mahogany, copper hues, forming medium, slow legs on the side of the glass. Aroma: mild cooked agave, vanilla, caramel, roasted almonds?, coffee?, intense baking spices (more cinnamon and clove), hint of oak, fruity (dried red cherries?), mild alcohol. Flavour: cooked agave, nutty, vanilla, cinnamon, some chocolate caramel, red cherries?, pepper, musky pipe tobacco?, nutty, hint of toasted oak?. Medium oily upon entry - silky - that coats the mouth - mild numbness on the lips, gums and mouth. Chocolate caramel - spicy cinnamon - mild vanilla coffee? notes linger from the middle to the back followed with a mild alcohol burn. Finish: nice long finish with cooked agave, creamy, some lingering earthy, subtle sweetness, cinnamon, smokiness, then a hint of dryness?. Flavour notes integrate well with the agave. Some similarities with (M). Very Recommended

Brand (O): Appearance: deep dark amber, orange hues, forming medium, slow legs on the side of the glass. Aroma:mild cooked agave, burnt caramel, cardamom?, cinnamon, walnuts?, hint of oak, green olive?, mild alcohol. Flavour: cooked agave, nutty, vanilla, dark chocolate, cinnamon, caramel, baked apple pie?, pepper, hint of roasted coffee?. Medium oily upon entry - creamy - that coats the mouth - mild numbness on the lips, gums and mouth. Dark chocolate caramel - spicy - cinnamon? notes linger from the middle to the back followed with a mild alcohol burn. Finish: nice medium-long finish with cooked agave, some lingering earthy, dark chocolate, cinnamon, spicy (pepper), and a hint of brininess?. Nice sipper to accompany a cigar. Recommended

(A): Siempre (B): Dos Almas 55 (lote #1) (C): Two Nine 29 (NOM1499) (D): Don Nacho (NOM1508) (E): Lunazul Double Barrel Reserva Especial 2015 Wheated Bourbon Barrel Finish (F): El Mexicano (NOM1588) (G): Pancho Datos (NOM1560) (H): *SAMPLE* Puerto Angel Rum (I): Gran Padre (NOM1464) (J): The Giggling Marlin (NOM1500) (K): Don Abraham (NOM1480) older-short squat bottle (L): Rudo (NOM1467) (M): ARTA Batch #2 - 5 Year (NOM1360) (N): Tristan - 5 Year (NOM1360) (O): Evaga (NOM1502)

Not Another Possible New Future Releases: Tequila, Mezcal And Other Agave Related Spirits etc.

Mezcales de Leyenda expands their collection with mezcal from Puebla, San Luis Potosi, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas.

Fortaleza Tequila Blanco Still Strength Forty Six (46% Abv.)

Jose Cuervo to release 4 new mixto-Tequila expressions to commemorate their 222nd Anniversary (2 Gold:  El Corazón and  El Diablito; 2 Silver: El Músico and La Dama)

Tequila 357

Aces High Blanco & Extra Añejo

Colección del Fundador Casa Noble Extra Añejo Alta Belleza

Don Lorenzo Reposado Reserva Barrel Strength

Yuu Baal Pechuga Mezcal Joven

Mezcal Tosba Tepextate

Ghost Tequila (Ghost Pepper aka Bhut Jolokia Infused)

Kamisake Vino de Arroz (Japonés) and Agave (Mexico)

Murciélago Reposado and Añejo

Tequila Revolucion brand face-lift?

Tierra Caliente Silver, Reposado and Añejo

New Dulce Vida Tequila ownership pushes flavoured tequila?

La Niña del Mezcal Sotol

Terralta Tequila release from Felipe J. Camarena's Destileria El Pandillo  includes a Blanco, Blanco 55% Abv., Reposado, Añejo, Extra  Añejo and Extra  Añejo 55% Abv.

Felipe Soto Mares much anticipated tequila release. The name has evolved from El Duende to El Perdido to finally The Bad Suff from NOM 1460

Another tequila brand coming out of the legendary Felipe Camarena's El Pandillo distillery NOM 1579 called Hermosa Casagave?

Premium Suave "Lunar Rested" Silver Tequila?

Comiteco Don Elias Mezcal from Chiapas?

Not Tequila. Not Mezcal. Sammy Hagar's New Agave Hybrid Spirit Venture: Santo PURO Mezquila 100% Agave?

Back in 2007, Sammy Hagar sold an 80% controlling interest in 'Cabo Wabo' to Gruppo Campari for US$ 80 million. Then in 2010, Gruppo Campari took advantage of the option written in the 2007 contract with Sammy Hagar and purchased the remaining 20% for US$ 11 million. Was it a ridiculous amount of money? Perhaps when you factor in the Cabo Wabo Cantina(s), Cabo Wabo Tequila brand etc. maybe not? 

Guessing boredom set in and sometime around 2011 Mr. Hagar launched a new spirits endeavour with 'Sammy's Beach Bar Rum'. Then in June of this year an article, "Sammy Hagar going back into the tequila business", was being shared on various social media sites. Many people were asking if Sammy Hagar was indeed getting back into the tequila business? Not quite. Was there ever a non-compete clause (NCC) with Gruppo Campari and did this NCC expire?  No clue. Perhaps this 'it's not a tequila, it's not a mezcal' project is a clever attempt by Mr. Hagar to circumvent such a NCC? And a way to appease the many die-hard Cabo Wabo tequila fans still out there?

In 2015, a brand going by the name, 'Santo Puro', was trademarked by an individual in Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Then in June 2016, a limited liability company (LLC) in Novato, California, USA filed a trademark for 'Santo Puro'. This particular LLC also filed trademarks for 'Santo Agave', 'Santo Espiritu Mezquila', 'Santo Mezquila', and 'Santo Espiritu'. We can definitely picture the governing bodies for Tequila and Mezcal scratching their heads over 'Mezquila'. Then somewhere it was mentioned that this Sammy Hagar-Adam Levine join-venture project would in fact be an agave hybrid based spirit. 

Indeed the label indicates a "50% Distilled Blue Agave & 50% Distilled Espadin Agave". It does appear that a formula has been submitted for this product to get approval for distribution in the USA. Does this submitted formula mean 2.5% additives? No idea. Keep in mind this spirit has been filed under the Category 699: OTHER SPECIALTIES & PROPRIETARIES with the TTB. There is no indication where the two agave distillates  are sourced from or what region of Denomination of Origin(s) were involved. But it appears these two sourced agave distillates  are blended and bottled at Ensambles y Destilados de Agave SA de CV in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. And we are not familiar with Ensambles y Destilados de Agave SA de CV. All of this is perfectly legal under the NOM-EM-012-SCFI-2006 - which is probably the reason why there is no such disclosure where the two distillates were sourced from on the label. This spirit would qualify as a Destilado de Agave under such rules in Mexico? 

So here we are piecing together a story on this 'Mezquila'. We have heard a rumour that the 100% blue Agave tequila distillate component was being sourced from the distillery that originally produced the 'Los Cinco Soles' brand. The brand that Mr. Hagar emulated his Cabo Wabo tequila from. This is where it gets tricky, Patrón owns that original distillery, so the tequila distillate must be produced at the newer Distillery Tequila el Viejito. Now can anyone tell us where exactly the 100% espadin distillate component was sourced from? Can we expect any "Salud Con Mezquila", "Got Mezquila", "Mas Mezquila", "More Mezquila", "Forget Tequila, It's Now Mezquila", "It's Not Tequila, It's Mezquila" or "No Es Tequila, Es Mezquila" marketing jargon once this product is released? We shall see. The brand-name "Mezquila" has been trademarked specifically for spirits in the USA and Mexico a handful of other times prior in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

The jury is still out if this could ever be sold down the road for US$ 91 million à la Cabo Wabo tequila. Maybe just maybe this truly is an agave passion project...** But on the off chance this product does become successful because you know ... people. Could its potential popularity affect agave sustainability? 

Familiar looking label

Sammy's new tattoo confirms the rumour?

** please - if we are in any way wrong with the details and information submitted here a 'Santo PURO' representative can tweet us or DM us here

Tequila Galán Blanco and Reposado NOM 1137 (40% Abv.)

Currently Tequila Galán is being produced at La Cofradia (The Brotherhood) NOM 1137 in Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico. We won't go into great detail on the process at this distillery since we have already covered this distillery in a past blog post. But we will try to point out the small differences that sets this brand apart from the others produced at La Cofradia. Founded in 2014, this maquila is a 100% agave tequila. Currently this brand only has a blanco and reposado offering - no idea if other expressions are in the works. Perhaps an añejo? It's no secret that we are fans of some other brands coming from this distillery. Even-though, it has been mentioned autoclaves have found their way onto the property. There has even been a suggestion that a tahona will eventually find its way into the distillery, but we shall see. The distillery is still on our 'please, we would really like to visit' list.

Will assume the mature blue agave is sourced from somewhere within the valley region (lowlands) of Mexico's Jalisco state - no clue if the agave is sourced from La Cofradia's estate fields. The halved agaves are slowly cooked by steam in the distillery's traditional stone-walled hornos. The cooked agave is put through a wood chipper and extractor-like press device. The mosto is placed in large stainless vats to allow natural open-air fermentation (not sure if Galán adds yeast(s)). After the fermentation process the juice is double distilled with La Cofradia's Alembic stainless steel pot stills - keep in mind some brands are triple distilled at this distillery. After distillations the tequila meant for the Blanco is placed in stainless steel vats. According to Tequila Galán's website tequila destined to become a reposado product is placed in "brand new medium-roasted American white oak barrels" (180 litres) for approximately four months. Let's go with brand new toasted white oak barrels with a medium char? The blanco tequila enters the barrels for aging somewhere around 55% Abv. (110-proof). The blanco is rested/stored in steel tanks at the same alcohol gradation 55% Abv. (110-proof). Assume the aged tequila is eventually tanked and mingled in steel vats at some point. Then prior to bottling the aged and unaged tequila would then be activated-carbon filtered and diluted to the desired alcohol gradation - in this case 40% Abv. (80-proof).

Blanco:

Appearance: Colorless and crystal clear. Long uniform slow legs in my Riedel glass. Aroma: cooked agave, faint floral/herbal (more a peppermint?),  pepper, citrus (lime?), subtle hint of alcohol, smokiness and candied cinnamon?. Flavour: cooked agave, mild spice,  some citrus notes (lime?), hint of sweetness (fresh honey?), and brininess. Semi-oily upon entry, mild numbness on the gums and roof, nicely coating the mouth and then a mild spice (jalapeno?) and a hint of mint in the back palate. Nothing too overpowering. Finish: Medium soft finish with that enjoyable Cofradia-esque cooked agave, spice, herbal (peppermint?) and  mild sweetness that lingers for minutes. Worthy sipper. MILDLY RECOMMENDED


Reposado:

Appearance: Light blonde - with gold hues. Medium length - slow legs that coat the sides of my Riedel glass. Aroma: mild cooked agave, caramelized honey, vanilla, spice (pepper), subtle mint and faint alcohol. Hint of fruit (citrus?). Flavour: mild cooked agave, candied caramel, vanilla, nutty, mild brininess, and spice (jalapeno?). Semi-oily upon entry, very mild numbness on the gums and roof, a nice caramelized vanilla candy thing that coats the mouth just enough, some mild spice (jalapeno?) and a hint of chocolate peppermint in the back palate. Finish: Medium finish with mild cooked agave, subtle candied caramel treat with pinch of chocolate and nutella?, that mild spice and mintiness that lingers for minutes. Nice accompanying flavours influenced by the barrel and char level for only four months. Some of the blanco flavours seem dialed down just a tad. Curious about the source and origin of the barrels used. Would definitely like to try this at barrel-strength. And definitely interested about their possible añejo. Could pair well with a Maduro cigar. RECOMMENDED

At first the packaging really jumped out at us, the first thing that came to mind was La Calavera Catrina. Perhaps a first where a calavera has graced a bottle of tequila? No. Espolón Tequila has adopted a sort of Jose Guadalupe Posada design for its bottles' labels for the last few years. But we really dig the packaging and what is inside the bottle. We have yet to be disappointed with a product hailing from NOM 1137. Saludos.

Possible New Future Releases: Tequila, Mezcal And Other Agave Related Spirits etc.

Malinalli Tequila moves from to Corporación Ansan (NOM 1360) to Destiladora Juanacatlan (NOM 1551)

Suerte Single Barrel Limited Edition 7 Year Extra Añejo Tequila

Disparos Tequila (named after the playing cards?)

Herencia Mexicana Tequila Extra Anejo

Mezcalero No. 16 Madrecuixe (Los Danzantes)

Mezcalosfera de Mezcaloteca Tobalá/Verde/Madrecuixe/Cuixe/Espadin

Ocho 2016 Single Estate Tequila Reposado Puerta del Aire

Quiéreme Mucho Tepextate

Red Eye Louie's Tequila Plata

A Possible Mexcalitas Zignum Flavoured Mezcal?

First off, let's put to rest any rumour that the Coca Cola Company owns a mezcal brand. Ok, the Coca Cola Company may own a mezcal brand but just not Zignum or El Señorío. Really don't where the Coca Cola connection came from but perhaps it had something to do with a company named Corporación de los Ángeles, S.A. de C.V. that was somehow involved in a merger between Coca-Cola FEMSA and Grupo CIMSA. It does appear that Corporación de los Ángeles, S.A. de C.V. filed a trademark for Zignum that was later disputed and won by Casa Armando Guillermo Prieto, S.A. de C.V.. What was the story behind the dispute? No clue. At one point Corporación de los Ángeles, S.A. de C.V. did own the trademark for El Señorío. AGPCH, S.A. de C.V. currently owns El Señorío.

On paper, Zignum was originally owned by Casa Armando Guillermo Prieto, S.A. de C.V.. El Señorío's ownership went from Bugarin Exportaciones, S. de R.L. de C.V. to Corporación de los Ángeles, S.A. de C.V. to Casa Armando Guillermo Prieto, S.A. de C.V.. Both of these brands' ownership have since transferred over to AGPCH, S.A. de C.V.. Further complicating things, AGPCH, S.A. de C.V. bought the Mexcalitas trademark from Bacardi & Company Limited. Then as you can see from the labels included above AGPCH, S.A. de C.V.  came up with Mexcalitas Zignum mezcal silver jamaica, limón, and tamarindo. Where exactly does a flavoured mezcal produced at an industrial distillery with a difusor fit in the current market? Guess it's mezcal's equivalent of bastardized cinnamon flavoured whiskey or flavoured tequila. And to think all this after NOM 186, NOM 070, and NOM 199. Maybe we should just adopt a "No" stance on such industrialization of agave spirits. These agave spirits deserve more respect for their ancestral roots. Besides agave is not quite the renewable resource people are led to believe especially without any strictly enforced rules and sustainable practice(s). 

Tequila Blanco Side X Side Blind Spring 2016 Taste-Off

We decided to do another blind taste testing of two randomly picked groups on separate days. We will not being doing a breakdown of all the minutiae of each individual distillery (ie. whether an autoclave or horno is used to cook the agave; shredder, roller-mill, press, or tahona; fermentation methods; distillation methods). Besides researching for such information is half the fun. Two of these brands are marketed with the intent and hope of illustrating the acceptance of the LGBT community and its movement in Mexico. Something which the federal government of Mexico has been dragging its feet on for years. Riedel tequila glasses and Glencairn whisky glasses were used.

Group A 

Brand "7" - Appearance: clear, colourless, forming medium, slow legs on the side of the glass. Aroma: baked agave, grassy, honey caramel?, herbal (peppermint tea?), spicy pepper (jalapeño?), fruit (citrus), some pungent earthiness. Flavour: baked agave, some mild sweetness and spiciness (jalapeño?) - the vegetal notes seem to compete with the earthy notes (in a good way). Slightly oily upon entry that pleasantly coats the mouth - some numbness on the lips, gums and mouth. A peppermint herbal - citrus note lingers in the back with some alcohol burn. Finish: nice - medium-long - with some lingering baked agave, grassiness, peppermint and spice. Reminded us of older Partida (in case you don't know this is a good thing).

Brand "2" - Appearance: clear, colourless with a faint bluish hue, forming medium, slow legs on the side of the glass. Aroma: abundance of roasted agave, earthy (wet rocks?), fruity (green apple?), citrus zest (lime?), peppery, some alcohol. Flavour: roasted agave is matched with spiciness (black pepper), definitely some minerality, a mild sweetness that turns slightly stringent and dry. Semi-oily upon entry - chewy and creamy (buttery?) - numbness on the lips, gums and mouth - some alcohol and pepper notes felt in the nasal passage - zesty citrus note lingers mid palate - bold heat in the mouth with that black pepper note in the back. Finish: long and very well balanced - all the above flavours layered just right - with a bold spicy black pepper and some heat. Great sipper. Could shine in a cocktail. Reminds us of a dialed up Siete Leguas blanco (a favourite).

Brand "6" - Appearance: clear, colourless, forming skinny, slow legs on the side of the glass. Aroma: fresh roasted agave, earthy, spice (black pepper?), smoke, old leather, raw honey, dried herbs (spearmint?), hint of citrus (lemon?), nutty?. Flavour: roasted agave, earthy, mild sweetness (raw honey?), get a hint of smoke?, spiciness (black pepper?) starts mid-palate moves the back of the throat, hint of citrus, some alcohol, roasted peanuts?. Semi-oily upon entry - almost creamy butter - intense numbness on the lips, gums and mouth - alcohol in the nasal passage - accompanied with some bitterness, mild alcohol heat and brininess in the back. Finish: medium to long - there is a lot of intense flavours going on with this one, that will keep you guessing in a good way - like that roasted peanut thing. Nicely done.

Brand "5" - Appearance: clear, colourless, forming medium, fast legs on the side of the glass. Aroma: cooked agave, vegetal (sauerkraut?), some citrus (lime), hint of mint, definitely a punch of alcohol. Flavour: loads of cooked agave, very vegetal, some bitterness, alcohol bite (very hot). Thick and oily mouth feel upon entry - accompanied with a lot of numbness on the lips, gums and mouth - felt some tingling in the nasal passage - lots of heat in the back. Finish: long - creamy - lingering cooked agave and vegetal flavours. Definitely slaps you in the face but leaves you with a nice warm feeling.

Group B 

Brand "1" - Appearance: clear, colourless, forming medium, slow legs on the side of the glass. Aroma: roasted agave, green pepper, earthy - minerality (wet rocks?), light smoke?, mushroomy?. Flavour: roasted agave, spicy (black pepper), slightly briny and that mineral note, hint of citrus (orange?), hint of black licorice?. Semi-oily upon entry - mild numbness on the lips, gums and mouth - some heat, smokiness? and peppery note in the back. Finish: Medium to long - with a very strong earthy and pepper note that goes well with the lingering agave sweetness. Just a great balance of flavours that coats the mouth and throat - lasting a long time.

Brand "4" - Appearance: clear, colourless, with a silver hue. forming skinny, slow legs on the side of the glass. Aroma: cooked agave, citrus tart?, vegetal, some earthiness (wet stones?), Flavour: fresh roasted agave, very vegetal, subtle sweetness (honey?), mild spice (pepper?), slighly tannic and briny, citrus (lime peel?). Semi-oily upon entry - slightly creamy - subtle numbness on the lips, gums and mouth - hint of smoke and fennel? in the back. Finish: medium - crisp, clean roasted agave, mild earthiness and spiciness. Great balance. Reminiscent of an Arenal brand that we are very fond of.

Brand "3" - Appearance: clear, colourless, forming skinny, slow legs on the side of the glass. Aroma: baked agave, grassy, cracked black pepper, floral and vanilla?, hint of fruit (ripe banana?), some alcohol. Flavour: cooked agave, some earthiness, spice (black pepper), honey-roasted beets?, smokey?. Semi-oily upon entry - some tingling numbness on the lips, gums and in the mouth - hint of cinnamon? in the back. Finish: short to medium - some earthy and grassiness - crisp roasted agave - black pepper - hint of alcohol. Very consistent flavours. Nice sipper. 

We can definitely recommend picking up any of these brands mentioned here without the fear of disappointment. The higher proof tequilas could be a tad overwhelmingly for the casual beginner, but worth it in our opinion. Glad to see we picked up on the one that sort of resembled another brand from the same distillery, Cascahuin. And remember, tasting can be very subjective, everybody's palates are different, if you find a tequila that you enjoy, enjoy it.

The particular brands are: Alicantes Pintos 40% Abv. NOM-1480 (1); Pueblo Viejo 52% Abv. NOM-1103 (2); Identity 40% Abv. NOM-1438 (3); LGBTKLA 40% Abv. NOM-1123 (4); Don Chencho 55% Abv. NOM-1584 (5); Arette Fuerte 50.5% Abv. NOM-1109 (6): Giggling Marlin 40% Abv. NOM-1500 (7).

Possible New Future Releases: Tequila, Mezcal And Other Agave Related Spirits etc.

Alipus Mezcal Ensamble Joven?

Aprendiz Mezcal Espadin-Tepextate Joven?

Collectivo Regional Raicilla and Sotol?

Corralejo Tequila Blanco, Reposado, and Extra Anejo Conmemorativo Aniversario?

Fidencio Mezcal Cochon Pechuga Reposado - Cochon555 Tour Barrel Project?

Tequila Herradura 2016 Coleccion de la Casa Cognac Cask Finished Reposado?

AC/DC Thunderstruck blanco, reposado and anejo from Fabrica de Tequilas Finos NOM 1472

Raicilla La Venenosa Puntas?

Lunazul Tequila Reposado Double Barrel Special Reserve 2016 - Rittenhouse Rye Barrel Finish?

San Matías Tequila Tahona Blanco?

4 Copas Tequila Blanco, Reposado, Anejo (moved from Compañía Tequilera La Quemada NOM 1457 to Tequila Las Americas NOM 1480)?