It’s no secret that we’re fans of Espolon Blanco Tequila, as it’s one of the best value buys in the 100% agave tequila market. But how fares the Reposado? Espolon Reposado Tequila is crafted at the San Nicolas Distillery in the Highlands region of Jalisco, Mexico. After distillation, it’s aged six months in American oak barrels. The result is a golden-hued spirit that’s full of roasted agave, spice and caramel on the nose. Drink up to taste flavors ranging from brown sugar and vanilla to tropical fruits. It’s less agave-forward than the blanco, and those six months in barrel give...

El Tesoro de Don Felipe makes a range of quality tequilas, including the Añejo, which is aged between two and three years in oak barrels before bottling. All El Tesoro tequilas are hand-crafted in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico, where the estate-grown agave plants are cooked the old-fashioned way – in large brick and stone ovens called hornos. After the agave hearts are crushed and the juices are extracted, the tequila is double distilled straight to 80 proof. For comparison, most tequilas – and spirits in general – are distilled to a higher proof and then diluted with water to...

Excellia Tequila is a relatively new player in the tequila category, and it’s making some noise due to its unique maturation process. The 100% agave Excellia Tequilas begin their life in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico, where the estate grown blue agave plants are cut by hand and cooked slowly in traditional brick and stone ovens. From there, the cooked agave is shredded and crushed to extract the aromatic agave juice and then fermented in wooden vats and twice distilled in copper stills. Most aged tequilas then sit in used whiskey barrels until maturity. But in producing Excellia Tequilas, the...

Milagro makes a range of 100% agave tequilas, including the Milagro Anejo, which is triple distilled in the Jalisco highlands in small batches before spending 18 months maturing in oak barrels. Many big tequila companies roast their piñas (the heart of the agave plant) in massive autoclaves for just four to six hours prior to fermentation, but Milagro roasts piñas the traditional way – in smaller clay ovens – for 36 hours. This method is utilized to retain more of the piña’s natural flavor, giving the tequila an agave-forward taste. Let’s take it for a spin. Milagro Anejo is pale amber, lighter...

At last week’s Tales of the Cocktail, Don Julio introduced 70 Anejo Claro, a new tequila that embodies the rich, complex flavors of an anejo tequila in a filtered, crystal clear spirit. The new product is being launched in honor of the 70th anniversary of the year founder Don Julio González began making Don Julio tequila. Don Julio 70 Anejo Claro starts as Don Julio Añejo and filters the tequila through a specialty process that brings back the bold agave flavor typically found in a Blanco. The result is a crystal clear tequila that combines traditional Añejo and Blanco flavors. It...

As if we needed an excuse to drink… But hey, we’ll take it! July 24th marks National Tequila Day, so break out a bottle and let the celebration begin. Tequila is often consumed in margarita form. In fact, more than 185,000 margaritas were consumed per hour by Americans in 2008, says booze powerhouse Brown-Forman. That makes the margarita the most popular cocktail in the United States. Of course, many of these are the frozen or flavored variety, which in our humble opinion ruins the original, delicious concoction. So in honor of this holiday, take Monday off work for preventative measures, and mix up...

Senor Rio is a relatively new tequila that’s slowly expanding across the U.S. Each expression – blanco, reposado and anejo – is distilled from 100% blue weber agave cultivated in the lowlands of Jalisco, Mexico. Senor Rio Blanco Tequila Senor Rio Blanco is crystal clear with an intense, vegetal nose of agave. Flavors range from sweet vanilla to peppermint and spice. The mouthfeel is a bit watery, and the peppery finish is quick and clean. $45 Senor Rio Reposado Tequila Six months in white oak gives this tequila some color, plus an oaky aroma mingling with the upfront agave. Take a sip to taste...

Texas-based Republic Tequila makes a range of 100% agave, certified organic tequilas. Distilled in small batches at La Quedmada, one of Mexico’s only organic distilleries, Republic is the boozy offspring of Texan Tom Nail and a Scottish gent named Ken MacKenzie. The Republic Anejo Tequila is aged in used Jack Daniel’s barrels for 20 months, which imparts lots of color and flavor into this spirit. On the nose, the tequila is full of pepper, agave, oak and fruit. The taste is milder than the aroma, with notes of sweet vanilla blending nicely with dry oak, plus more agave and hints of...

Cinco de Mayo and tequila go together like holidays and drinking. If shooting straight tequila’s your thing, there are plenty of good ones. But if your tastes lean toward cocktails, and you want to branch out from the tried-and-true margarita, these Cinco de Mayo cocktails should do the trick. Blood Orange Margarita 1½ ounce Tequila Avión Silver ¾ ounce Cointreau Orange Liqueur 1 ounce blood orange juice ½ ounce fresh sour mix Shake all ingredients with ice, then strain over fresh ice into a rocks glass. Garnish with an orange twist. Pico de Plata 1 part jalapeno-infused Hornitos Plata Tequila* ½ part fresh pineapple juice ¼ part red pepper puree** ¼...

Espolon Blanco Tequila is a 100% blue agave tequila that’s crafted at the San Nicolas Distillery in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. The Espolon Blanco bottle is very distinctive, highlighted by Day of the Dead style graphics, complete with a skeleton riding a rooster. Espolon Blanco claims a longer agave roasting period (18-20 hours vs 12 hours) and distilling process (5 1/2 hours vs 3 1/2 hours) than the industry standard. This should result in richer, more intense flavors. Let’s taste it and find out. On the nose, Espolon Blanco Tequila is very warm, with lots of alcohol up front, plus more...