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...

Familia Camarena Tequila is relatively new to the U.S. market, but the company traces its tequila-making origins back 250 years. Located in the Highlands region of Jalisco, Camarena produces two expressions of 100% agave tequilas – silver and reposado. Camarena Silver Tequila Camarena Silver Tequila is very peppery and vegetal on the nose, with a bit of citrus in the background. It’s smooth on the palate, with a tamer body than the nose indicates. The flavor bursts with more pepper and agave, and finishes warm but relatively quick and watery. It’s a pretty decent sipper, but will probably find more use as...

Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos, is a Mexican holiday for remembering friends and family members who’ve died.  Though it falls just after Halloween, Day of the Dead has little in common with the American holiday dedicated to candy and naughty nurse costumes. Day of the Dead participants often honor the dead and celebrate the joy of living with traditional food and the country’s national drink – tequila.  For some spirited sips, check out these Dia de los Muertos-inspired cocktails from Espolón Tequila. Ashes to Ashes (H. Joseph Ehrmann – Elixir, San Francisco) 1.5 oz. Espolón Tequila Reposado .5 oz. Pedro...

Partida Reposado Tequila is part of the 100% agave Partida lineup that also includes blanco, anejo and extra anejo tequilas.  The reposado is aged for six months in used whiskey barrels and, according to some spirits experts, is one of the finest reposado tequilas in the world. Upon nosing the tequila, the lack of smokiness—a scent found in many other reposados—is very apparent.  With a smooth agave scent, plus some nuttiness and slight wood notes playing in the background, the Partida is very subdued and hides its alcohol well. Take a sip and taste mild pepper, cooked agave, minerals, almonds and...

Olmeca Altos tequilas have, until recently, only been available outside of the United States.  That changed last month when Olmeca Altos announced that its 100 percent agave Plata and Reposado tequilas were coming stateside. The Olmeca Altos distillery uses the centuries-old Tahona method of creating tequila.  After drying in brick ovens, the agave hearts are crushed with a volcanic stone.  The resulting agave juice is then double distilled in traditional copper pot stills.  The Plata is unaged, and the Olmeca Altos Reposado Tequila is aged in used bourbon barrels for six to eight months. The Olmeca Altos Reposado Tequila is light gold...

On September 16, Mexico celebrates its Aniversario de la Independencia, which marks 200 years of independence from Spain.  Like many conscientious Texans, I’ll be drinking tequila and glancing ominously in the general direction of Spain. Some fine tequilas to enjoy the holiday include Aeroplano, Avion and Maestro Dobel, but if straight tequila’s not your thing, there are plenty of cocktails to fuel your Mexican pride. Margarita You can’t go wrong with the traditional margarita. I adhere to the 3:2:1 ratio for the best results. 1 ½ ounces silver tequila 1 ounce Cointreau ½ ounce freshly-squeezed lime juice Shake all ingredients with ice, and strain over fresh ice...

Aeroplano Tequila is a 100% agave tequila produced in the central lowlands of Jalisco.  Aeroplano is created by first cooking the heads of the agave plants in old masonry ovens, and then twice distilling and filtering the spirit.  Aeroplano currently offers a blanco and reposado tequila, plus a ready-to-drink margarita. Aeroplano Tequila Blanco On the nose, the blanco tequila is fresh and subtle, with hints of agave and some fruit.  Upon tasting, it’s very smooth and soft on the palate.  It has tequila’s characteristic vegetal, agave taste, plus a bit of vanilla sweetness.  With very little bite, Aeroplano Blanco is very easy...

Tequila Avion is a new brand formed by a group of entrepreneurs, including Ken Austin, a former Seagrams and E&J Gallo executive. Tequila Avion is distilled from Blue Weber Agave found in the highest regions of Jalisco, Mexico, where the agave is known for its distinct mineral character.  Once harvested, the Tequila Avion agave is slow roasted in brick ovens under low temperatures to produce a rich and robust flavor. On the nose, the Avion Silver Tequila is fresh and vegetal with some floral notes.  It’s very mellow and hides its alcohol well.  Take a sip and the spirit is exceptionally...