Herradura Tequila Reposado

"On the high plains of Jalisco, at the foothills of the majestic Sierra Madre Mountains, you will find the Herradura estate. It is here that Herradura has been produced and bottled since 1870.
"Herradura is made naturally from 100% blue agave, with no additives. Only the finest blue agave, harvested at their prime after years of careful cultivation are used to make Herradura.
"Herradura Reposado. Savor the smooth taste of this natural Reposado tequila. Enjoy it straight or make a real margarita. Taste the legend... Tequiila Herradura(R)."

Aged 11 month. A very fine and smooth reposado which I used to make a Chiapas Old Fashioned, as described on my bottle of Elmegirab's Dandelion & Burdock Bitters:

• 50 mL tequila reposado (Herradura)
• 12.5 mL green tea infused sugar syrup (rich unrefined sugar syrup)
• 2 dashes Dandelion & Burdock Bitters
• Strip white grapefruit zest

Stir liquid ingredients until ice cold and strain over ice in a chilled rocks glass. Rub the rim and garnish with the grapefruit zest.

40% ABV. Read more on Herradura website.

Tequila Casco Viejo Joven

Casco Viejo is a descent gold Tequila.

38% ABV.

Patrón Silver Tequila

"Patrón Tequila, like the great wines and cognacs of the world, is exceptional for a reason. It begins with the finest growing region in Mexico. High in the mountains of Jalisco exists a region with perfect soil and climate which allows the sugar and acid balances of the Weaber Tequilana Blue Agave to mature and produce an 'agave pineapple' unequalled elsewhere in the world. Like premium wine grapes the sugar acid balance must be perfect before harvest. Patrón tequilas are produced in the traditional handmade fashion.
"After harvest the 'pineapples' are carefully selected, trimmed, and then slowly steam baked. When cooked to perfection the 'pineapple' is macerated with large natural stone milling wheels. The fermentation is done with the fiber of the 'pineapple' which helps impart its unique flavor and smoothness. After a double distillation process the tequila is fine filtered in preparation for hand filling into artisan, hand made bottles. Every bottle of Patrón is truly one of a kind."

This is clearly the most outstanding tequila I ever tasted. I made the best margarita ever with it:

• 4 cL tequila (Patrón Silver)
• 2 cL freshly squeezed lime juice
• 2 cL triple sec (Cointreau)

Rim a cocktail glass with Fleur de Sel and put it in the freezer. Shake all ingredients with ice. Strain into the chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a long lime twist or thin strands of lime peel or grated lime peel.

Using Fleur de Sel instead of normal salt really makes a huge difference. I was not a big fan of salt rim before that, but Fleur de Sel is much more subtle and enjoyable. Its coarse grains slowly melt in the mouth while drinking and swallowing. The lime zest as a garnish is also fantastic.

40% ABV. Read more on The Patrón Spirit Company website.

Sauza Tequila Gold

"Double distilled for a smoother, more mellow character, Sauza Gold tequila is a taste of the unexpected. Its fresh agave flavor is clean and crisp with hints of sweet caramel and oaky softness; enjoy it straight as a cold shold, or discover how it lends its unique character to your favorite tequila cocktails."

This tequila works very well in Margaritas.

• 4 cL tequila (Sauza Gold)
• 2 cL freshly squeezed lime juice
• 2 cL triple sec (Cointreau)

Shake hard the ingredients with ice. Strain into a half salt-rime cocktail glass.

I don't like when the glass is rimmed with a thick crust of salt. I prefer adding a thin layer of salt on just half of the rim so that I can alternate between a little bit of salt with a mouthfull of margarita and no salt at all.

40% ABV. Read more on Sauza website.