Tag Archives: tequila

Mandala Extra Añejo Tequila: A Luxurious Sip of Tradition

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Aged to Perfection

Mandala Extra Añejo Tequila is aged for an impressive seven years in French oak barrels. This extended aging process imparts a deep, complex character to the tequila, setting it apart from its younger counterparts. The result is a spirit with a marvelous dark amber color and a rich bouquet of aromas, including fruits and toasted oak.

Flavor Profile

The first sip of Mandala Extra Añejo Tequila reveals a symphony of flavors. You’ll notice prominent notes of vanilla, caramel, and dark chocolate, balanced by a smooth, elegant finish. This tequila is designed to be savored, making it perfect for special occasions or quiet moments of indulgence. The sweetness and complexity make it an excellent choice for those who appreciate a refined, dessert-like tequila.

Craftsmanship and Quality

Handcrafted from the finest blue agave, Mandala Extra Añejo stands out for its purity and depth. The meticulous production process ensures that each bottle meets the highest standards of quality. The tequila is distilled in the heart of Jalisco, Mexico, a region renowned for producing some of the world’s best tequilas.

Presentation

One of the most striking features of Mandala Extra Añejo Tequila is its presentation. The bottle itself is a work of art, often adorned with intricate designs that reflect the cultural heritage of Mexico. This makes it not only a delightful drink but also a beautiful addition to any collection.

Perfect Pairings

Mandala Extra Añejo Tequila pairs wonderfully with a variety of foods. Its rich, sweet profile complements desserts like chocolate cake or crème brûlée. For a more savory pairing, try it with aged cheeses or a charcuterie board. The versatility of this tequila makes it a fantastic choice for both casual sipping and gourmet dining.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Mandala Extra Añejo Tequila is a luxurious and sophisticated spirit that offers a unique tasting experience. Its complex flavors, elegant presentation, and rich heritage make it a standout choice for any tequila lover. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply enjoying a quiet evening at home, Mandala Extra Añejo Tequila is sure to elevate the moment.

Have you had the chance to try Mandala Extra Añejo Tequila? What are your thoughts on its flavor and presentation? Let me know in the comments below!

Hornitos Plata and Hornitos Reposado

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hornitos reposado and plata

Over half a century ago on Mexican Independence Day (September 16), Don Francisco Javier Sauza (yeah that same Sauza), created Hornitos tequila, an aromatic 100% blue agave experience that’s sweet and calming with a little bit of bite.

Hornitos Plata. This is Hornitos’ unaged tequila (“plata” is Spanish for silver). Plata has never made contact with wood barrels, so it’s a clear tequila. Because of its young age, Plata is more of an herbal and floral experience in the smell and taste. This is agave at its purest: very sweet, crisp and clean.

Hornitos Reposado. This “rested” tequila has an aromatic rush of blue agave, unexpected and exciting. The sting in the air that is immediately present in the nose of other tequilas is non-existent here. Instead, a sweet, calming waft of blue agave gets your attention. The flavor is mellow and very smooth, with a bit of welcome spice. Not a tequila I would associate with taking shots, Hornitos Reposado is smooth enough to sip, and enjoy the warmth in your chest of a nice, aged tequila.

Hornitos Reposado will run you $25 and Hornitos Plata, $20. The flavors of both are subtle, and though they’d be fine cocktail tequilas, I will likely enjoy Hornitos Reposado more often as a sipping tequila. The Plata is a little more floral and herbal than I’d prefer.

Tequila Avión

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Tequila Avión

Tequila Avión gets much of its reputation as the “tequila from Entourage,” which was apparently a sweet unpaid buddy deal. As I’ve yet to see Entourage, I just know Avión based on this tasting. Avión is available in Silver, Reposado, and Añejo varieties, with this Añejo clocking in at 2 years old.

Tasted alone, all three of these tequilas are world-class. There is a soapy note particularly in the Silver and Añejo varieties, as well as a bit of fruitiness in the Silver as well, and I’m sure it’s an outstanding mixer as a result. For a sipping tequila, the Reposado and Añejo are both great, but are significantly different from each other. The Reposado has a spicy woodyness that puts it more in line with whiskeys, and the Añejo is a smooth, mellow, subtler version of the the Silver.

avion autumn apple

Avión has a really good collection of recipes on their site, and I found one that looked the best for a Fall drink: The Avión Autumn Apple. I modified it just a bit for my own palate, so here’s my take on their recipe, which is high on the juice and pretty low on alcohol, so this would be a great party punch too:

  • 1 oz Avión Reposado
  • 2 oz apple juice or cider
  • 1 oz lemon juice
  • 1/2 oz simple syrup
  • serve over ice in a collins glass
  • garnish with an apple slice

JLP Tequila

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jlp anejo tequila

A new brand of tequila has made an appearance in Albuquerque liquor stores: JLP Tequila. Named for the former governor of the Villa of Tequila, Jesus Lopez Portillo Y Galindo, JLP is a mid-range tequila will run you about $20-30, and it’s made from 100% agave. I tried all 3 of the varieties: Blanco (unaged), Reposado (aged 6 months), and Añejo (aged 12 months), and I’m pretty impressed.  While it has been widely available in California, JLP is new to New Mexico.

First, an explanation about the two types of tequila manufacture. Tequila is distilled from agave, just like some whiskey is distilled from corn, but there are 2 different ways of processing it from there: 100% agave or mixto.  100% agave is the most pure type, with no added ingredients. A mixto uses at least 51% agave, then sugars are used to make up the remainder of the mixture. This would expain why 100% agave tequilas start at $20, but a bottle of Jose Cuervo is $13.  It’s a mixto.

The older a tequila is, the less appropriate it is for cocktails, so I made a margarita with the JLP Blanco  and found that it made an outstanding margarita, one of the best I’ve ever had. It’s a very smooth tequila and the muggyness that tequila is famous for is a bit more subtle.

Tasting it in a glass by itself, the JLP Añejo is very smooth, highlighted by an outstanding peppery/chili finish. The middle child, JLP Reposado, is a fine tequila for a Tequila Old Fashioned:

Tequila Old Fashioned

  • in an old fashioned glass, add:
    • 1 tsp of raw sugar
    • 3 dashes of orange bitters
    • 2 oz of JLP Reposado Tequila
  • fill with ice and stir well
  • garnish with a lime wedge

 

Mango-Ice Margaritas

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mango ice margaritas

This recipe is a minor variation on the margarita for the summertime.  First, puree mangoes with a bit of water and freeze the results in ice trays overnight.  Using the “mango ice” instead of regular ice, build your margarita.

Mango Ice Margarita

  • 1 1/2 oz of tequila
  • 1 oz lime juice
  • 1 oz triple sec
  • on the mango rocks in a salt-rimmed glass
  • no garnish (it distracts from the cool yellow cubes)

Now, recently, I’ve begun doing something to my margaritas that people say has made them even better.  I add 1-2 ox of club soda/seltzer water on top and give it a stir.  It mellows out the pungent nature of tequila and makes a more refreshing drink anyway, and in this one, it helps break down the mango cubes.  You’ll want to let this one sit at the table before your guests start sipping so that the mango can get all sloshy in there.  The mango flavor will be subtle, and not overpowering.

Viola:

mango ice margaritas

Absolutely Perfect Margarita

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margarita

Here’s the recipe:

  • 1 1/2 oz of tequila
  • 1 oz lime juice
  • 1 oz triple sec
  • on the rocks in a salt-rimmed glass
  • lime wedge garnish

So how’s that “perfect?”  The ingredient list is simple, but like I say in the book, quality is the key with all cocktails, so here’s what I used:

Lime juice must be fresh-squeezed.  I used course Himalayan Pink salt to rim the glass because it tastes really good and looks unique.  (Insert joke about manliness here)

hornitos reposado

I used Hornitos Reposado Tequila. A simple lesson in tequila types: blanco tequilas are unaged and so they’re the most pungent.  Reposado tequilas are aged 2-12 months to they are smoother, and anejo tequilas are aged from 1 to 3 years, so they’re smooth, the tequila equivalent to scotch.  Make sure it’s 100% agave tequila – that’s the only kind to use.

Hornitos Reposado is the best tequila I’ve tried so far, compared to Trader Joe’s brand 100% agave and 1800 Blanco.  It’s the smoothest and has the best flavor.

3 ingredients will help you make an absolutely perfect Margarita.  Simple!