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...

Looking for a new tequila cocktail? The Rosita is a classic, easy-to-make cocktail that combines the tried-and-true formula of spirit, fortified wine and bitters. In this case, it’s tequila, two vermouths and two bitters. The Rosita is a complex drink that goes beyond the oft-used sour or daisy template. Instead, it marries the vegetal bite of silver tequila with the aromatics of vermouth and the deep bitter notes of Campari. It’s bright, well-balanced and tasty. And since the ingredients can be found in any bar or liquor store, it’s an easy drink to try for yourself. The Rosita 1 1/2 ounces silver tequila 1/2...

Sauza Tequila just announced the introduction of Sauza Blue to the market, a tequila made from 100% blue agave. This is a big step up from Sauza’s current mixto offerings, which blend other sugars with agave plant sugars to produce the final product. Sauza Blue is made with fresh-pressed agave at its Jalisco, Mexico distillery, and it will be available in Silver and Reposado expressions. Sauza is joining other big tequila brands in bolstering their lineups, like Jose Cuervo, which recently introduced the 100% agave Cuervo Tradicional Silver to the market. With so many affordable 100% agave tequilas these days, there’s really...

Avion Anejo Tequila is the oldest expression in the Avion lineup. The Anejo is distilled in the Jalisco highlands from 100% blue agave, and then it’s aged for two years – twice the minimum age requirement for an anejo. Avion Anejo Tequila has a clear, yellowish-gold appearance that’s fairly light for an old tequila. On the nose it bursts with fresh agave, fruit and spice. Take a sip and there’s more vegetal agave, plus some mild pepper and cinnamon. Oak accents come through from the barrels, including vanilla and maple. It is exceptionally smooth on the palate, starting out sweet and finishing...

1921 Reposado Tequila is part of the lineup that also includes a Blanco, Anejo and cream liqueur. Each product is distilled in the highlands region of Jalisco, and apart from the cream liqueur, each tequila is 100% agave. The 1921 Reposado Tequila gets its light straw coloring from spending a few months aging in American oak. On the nose, its intensely floral with hints of agave and fruit. A buttery sweetness lies subtly in the background. Take a sip and taste oaky vanilla, sweet fruit and some peppery spice. Aside from the pepper notes, its very smooth on the palate with a...

Let’s kick off the weekend with some tequila cocktails. These come courtesy of Tequila Partida, a 100% agave spirit from Mexico’s Tequila Valley Region. Southern Heat 1 ½ ounces Partida Blanco ¾ ounce Cointreau 1 ounce fresh lime juice 6 slices skinned cucumber 2-3 slices jalapeno ¼ ounce simple syrup Muddle cucumber, jalapeno, lime juice and simple syrup. Add ice, tequila and Cointreau. Shake and strain over fresh ice into an old-fashioned glass. Garnish with cucumber slices. Ruby Partida 1 ½...

Don Julio 1942 Tequila is part of the tequila lineup that also includes a Blanco, Reposado, Anejo and “Real” expression. The 1942 is double distilled, using a pot still for the second round of distillation, and then aged in used bourbon barrels. It’s aged for 2.5 years, a full year longer than the Anejo and about a year less than the Real. On the nose, Don Julio 1942 Tequila is bursting with vanilla, caramel and cherries, plus some buttery oak. Take a sip and taste more of the same, plus toffee, chocolate and agave. It’s silky on the palate with just...

As if there weren’t enough reasons to drink, National Margarita Day is quickly approaching. The margarita is already the most-consumed cocktail in America, but on February 22nd, we’ll give it some more recognition. If you need tequila inspiration, Avion Silver Tequila and Partida Reposado Tequila are both good options that can be consumed neat or mixed into a margarita. And for the margarita itself, consider skipping the sugary sweet and sour mix and opting for the traditional trio of tequila, Cointreau and fresh lime juice. A 3:2:1 ratio usually does the trick. Margarita 1 1/2 ounces tequila 1 ounce Cointreau 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice Shake...

Tequila Ocho has a vintage. It also comes from a single estate. My bottle of Tequila Ocho Plata was bottled in 2009, with agave harvested from the Las Pomez estate, a highlands area known for its slow maturation of agave, which results in a sweeter plant. Unlike most tequilas, Tequila Ocho champions the influences of terroir, a practice typically utilized by wine brands. On the nose, the Tequila Ocho Plata has intense aromas of agave and white pepper. Some underlying sweetness and fresh mint linger in the background. It tastes of fruit and spice, plus more agave and a nice...

Tres Generaciones Plata Tequila is an unaged, triple-distilled, 100% agave tequila. It’s a premium tequila offering from Sauza, a company that traces its distilling roots back to 1873. Tres Generaciones Plata Tequila is a colorless spirit with a strong nose of agave and white pepper. It is smooth and light on the palate with clean flavors of citrus, creamy vanilla and sweet floral notes. There’s a very mild peppery spice, but overall it’s remarkably smooth. The finish is moderate in length, with some lingering white pepper and agave. The smoothness is great for a novice tequila drinker, but...