Review: El Rey Anejo Tequila

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Free sample bottled provided by El Rey.

AT A GLANCE

• Owned by: Citryve International

• Distilled by: Tequila Cascahuin (NOM 1123), El Arenal, Jalisco, Mexico

• Agave: Tequilana Azul

• Cooking: Brick Ovens

• Crush: Roller Mill

• Fermentation: Stainless Steel Tanks

• Still Type: Stainless Steel Pot Still with Copper Coils

• Spirit Type: 100% Agave Añejo Tequila

• Strength: 40%

• Price: $50

Tequila El Rey Añejo is a 100% agave tequila from Tequila Cascahuin NOM 1123, in the lowland valleys of Jalisco. Tequila Cascahuin was founded in 1904 by Salvador Rosales Briseno and they allow at least two percent of their agaves to flower. While this is a good start, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and Universidad Autónoma de Mexico have suggested that a minimum of 5% of agaves (about 200 per hecter) should be allowed to flower to maintain both a healthy bat population and enough genetic diversity in the plans.

According to the brand, 8 year old blue agaves are harvested from the lowlands surrounding Mount Cascahuín outside the town of El Arenal. The agave piñas are halved and then cooked for 72 hours in brick ovens. The cooked piñas are then shredded and pressed with a roller mill and the juice is pumped into large open top fermentors made of stainless steel. The must is allowed to ferment with the ambient yeast in the distillery before it is double distilled in stainless steel pot still that have an internal copper coil. The coil serves the dual purpose of heating the contents of the still and helps remove any sulfur from the spirit that might taint the flavor. After distillation, the añejois allowed to mature for 14 months in both toasted and charred American oak barrels. After aging, the tequila is filtered and bottled at 40% ABV.

TASTING NOTES

Nose: On the nose there are nice aromas of black pepper followed by barrel notes of caramel and vanilla which is to be expected with an añejo tequila. As the tequila sits in the glass more of the green agave notes start to show through.

Palate: On the palate the tequila is very smooth with zero alcohol burn. The añejo draws a nice sweetness from the barrel which presents as flavors of caramel and vanilla, which then blends nicely with spice flavors of cinnamon, black pepper, layered with citrus and cooked agave.

Finish: On the finish the spirit lingers with beautiful flavors of orange marmalade and roasted garnet yam.

Conclusion: The El Rey Añejo is simply delicious and a fantastic value at $50. The tequila strikes a perfect balanced between the underling agave character and the barrel notes picked up during maturation. This is an excellent añejo which should be enjoyed neat, or used to make a decadent Oaxacan Old Fashioned or even a standard Tequila Old Fashioned.

El Rey Anejo Tequila Review | Tequila Aficionado Sipping off the Cuff

Review: El Rey Reposado Tequila

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Free sample bottled provided by El Rey.

AT A GLANCE

• Owned by: Citryve International

• Distilled by: Tequila Cascahuin (NOM 1123), El Arenal, Jalisco, Mexico

• Agave: Tequilana Azul

• Cooking: Brick Ovens

• Crush: Roller Mill

• Fermentation: Stainless Steel Tanks

• Still Type: Stainless Steel Pot Still with Copper Coils

• Spirit Type: 100% Agave Reposado Tequila

• Strength: 40%

• Price: $39

Tequila El Rey Reposado is a 100% agave tequila from Tequila Cascahuin NOM 1123, in the lowland valleys of Jalisco. Tequila Cascahuin was founded in 1904 by Salvador Rosales Briseno and they allow at least two percent of their agaves to flower. While this is a good start, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and Universidad Autónoma de Mexico have suggested that a minimum of 5% of agaves (about 200 per hecter) should be allowed to flower to maintain both a healthy bat population and enough genetic diversity in the plans.

According to the brand, 8 year old blue agaves are harvested from the lowlands surrounding Mount Cascahuín outside the town of El Arenal. The agave piñas are halved and then cooked for 72 hours in brick ovens. The cooked piñas are then shredded and pressed with a roller mill and the juice is pumped into large open top fermentors made of stainless steel. The must is allowed to ferment with the ambient yeast in the distillery before it is double distilled in stainless steel pot still that have an internal copper coil. The coil serves the dual purpose of heating the contents of the still and helps remove any sulfur from the spirit that might taint the flavor. After distillation, the reposado is allowed to mature for 6 months in both toasted and charred American oak barrels. After aging, the tequila is filtered and bottled at 40% ABV.

TASTING NOTES

Nose: The nose is very light with just a hint of orange peal, wood character and a little bit of alcohol.

Palate: On the palate the flavors, like the aromas are muted with soft flavors of orange zest, pepper, vanilla, and oak with a slight alcohol burn on the tongue.

Finish: On the finish, flavors of black pepper and roasted agave softly fade away.

Conclusion: El Ray Reposado is a nice spirit but fans of the El Rey Silver should know up front that this is very different. This repo is very soft and light and will likely please those who enjoy more orange and vanilla flavors in their tequila. At $39 per bottle, the El Rey repo is not a bad deal but it is also not likely to blow anyone away. That being said, this reposado will show well in a tequila daiquiri or even in a Paloma.

El Rey Reposado Tequila Review | Tequila Aficionado Sipping off the Cuff

Review: El Rey Silver Tequila

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Free sample bottled provided by El Rey.

AT A GLANCE

• Owned by: Citryve International

• Distilled by: Tequila Cascahuin (NOM 1123), El Arenal, Jalisco, Mexico

• Agave: Tequilana Azul

• Cooking: Brick Ovens

• Crush: Roller Mill

• Fermentation: Stainless Steel Tanks

• Still Type: Stainless Steel Pot Still with Copper Coils

• Spirit Type: 100% Agave Blanco Tequila

• Strength: 40%

• Price: $35

Tequila El Rey Silver is a 100% agave tequila from Tequila Cascahuin NOM 1123, in the lowland valleys of Jalisco. Tequila Cascahuin was founded in 1904 by Salvador Rosales Briseno and they allow at least two percent of their agaves to flower. While this is a good start, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and Universidad Autónoma de Mexico have suggested that a minimum of 5% of agaves (about 200 per hecter) should be allowed to flower to maintain both a healthy bat population and enough genetic diversity in the plans.

According to the brand, 8 year old blue agaves are harvested from the lowlands surrounding Mount Cascahuín outside the town of El Arenal. The agave piñas are halved and then cooked for 72 hours in brick ovens. The Cooked piñas are then shredded and pressed with a roller mill and the juice is pumped into large open top fermentors made of stainless steel. The must is allowed to ferment with the ambient yeast in the distillery before it is double distilled in stainless steel pot still that have an internal copper coil. The coil serves the dual purpose of heating the contents of the still and helps remove any sulfur from the spirit that might taint the flavor. After distillation the silver tequila is allowed to rest for 3 months before it is filtered and bottled at 40% ABV.

TASTING NOTES

Nose: The nose is wonderfully bright and inviting. It comes right out of the glass to great you with classic aromas of tropical fruit and bright green vegetal notes. There is no alcohol character, just pure aromatic essence.

Palate: The tequila is really pretty and a joy to drink. On the palate citrus flavors come trough and are nicely balanced with a touch of pepper, which gives the tequila a little warmth but without any burn. All of this is supported with underlying flavors of green vegetal notes, giving the tequila great character and complexity.

Finish: The finish is clean and fresh with lovely soft notes of citrus and a slight greenness.

Conclusion: Despite some odd design choices with the stopper, El Rey Silver is a fantastic example of classic tequila and is wonderful to drink neat. If you are inclined towards cocktails a tequila daiquiri would be great. The bright citrus notes in the tequila are strong enough to not really need the orange liqueur call for in margarita recipes. In the summer, the silver would also work well in a tall drink like a tequila and soda or tequila and tonic with a lime wheel garnish. If you like blanco tequila El Rey Silver is a must try.

El Rey Blanco Tequila Review | Tequila Aficionado Sipping off the Cuff

Review: Aguamiel Tequila Blanco

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Free sample bottled provided by Stewart Group.

AT A GLANCE

• Owned by: Stewart Group Inc.

• Distilled by: Destiladora del Valle de Tequila (NOM 1438) in Tequila, Mexico

• Cooking: Brick Ovens

• Crush: Roller Mills

• Fermentation: Stainless Steel

• Still Type: Copper Pot Still

• Spirit Type: 100% Agave Blanco Tequila

• Strength: 40% ABV

• Price: $30

Aguamiel Tequila Blanco is a 100% agave tequila from Destiladora del Valle de Tequila NOM 1438. According to the brand, the tequila is produced from 8 year old blue agave, roasted in brick ovens for two days, crushed using a roller mill, fermented, double distilled in copper pots, and then proofed to 40% ABV.

Tasting Notes

Nose: On the nose the tequila has great bright aromas of tropical fruit, ripe mango, and lime leaf, supported by notes of honey and cooked agave.

Palate: At first sip the flavor starts strong, and then fades somewhat in the middle. Overall the flavor has a nice balance between cooked agave and a nice mineral character.

Finish: The finish is light with pleasant aromas of pineapple, lime leaves and a little minerality.

Conclusion: Aguamiel Tequila Blanco is a pleasant 100% agave tequila that is equally enjoyable to drink neat or use in a cocktail like a margarita or paloma.

For more information watch my review with Mike Morales on Tequila Aficionado’s Sipping off the Cuff.

Aguamiel Tequila Blanco Review | Tequila Aficionado Sipping off the Cuff.

Tequila Aficionado's Sipping off the Cuff: Ayate Tequila Añejo

Here is the Sipping off the Cuff review of Ayate Tequila Añejo that I participated in with Mike Morales of Tequila Aficionado. Ayate Tequila Añejo is madea at  NOM 1519 in the highlands of Jalisco and it is "is aged for two months in new American barrels, then transferred to used French oak barrels for a resting period of four months and finally finished in Chardonnay barrels for six months." Ayate Tequila Reposado retails for $95 for a 750ml bottle.