"It's time for you to slow down and smell the (agave) flowers."
The proliferation of tequila bars around the country in the past
year or two has opened our eyes to the vast selection of styles of
tequilas on the market; there are roughly 1,000 kinds available now.
But when it comes time to drink the stuff, too many of us revert back
to old bad habits from less sophisticated days. It's a shame, because
the best tequilas are as complex and ripe for savoring as fine Scotches
or wines. In other words, with tequila, it's time for you to slow down
and smell the (agave) flowers.
“Not many people are aware how complex and unique tequila is because
of the fact that it's associated with kids and parties and that sort
of thing,” Jose Cuervo brand ambassador Rene Valdez says. It's time,
then, to start drinking tequila like an adult. Here's what you need to
know.
Choose the right glassware
Put the shot glasses down. Not only is shooting tequila (or anything,
for that matter) boorish, but drinking tequila slowly from a shot
glass also cheapens the experience. “It's a glass that doesn't allow
you to experience the full complexity,” Valdez says. You'll just end up
compressing the aromas. If you're serious about tequila, consider
picking up a set of long-stemmed Riedel tequila glasses. Cuervo's master
distillers were consulted in their design, Valdez says. Failing that, a
white wine glass, as opposed to a snifter, is the best choice.
Look at the color
Regardless of what expression of tequila you're drinking, whether
it's an unaged blanco, gold, reposado, anejo, or extra anejo, the
latter of which are aged in wood for varying periods of time, you're
going to be able to pick out the differences by eyeballing them right
off the bat. You can also tell if it's a 100% blue agave tequila, which
all quality brands will be, based on the quality of the liquid. In
tequilas mixed with neutral spirits, you'll often be able to pick out
imperfections that point to a lower-quality distillation process.
Familiarize yourself with the consistency of the liquid at hand as
well. Tequilas that have been aged longer will have a heavier, thicker
body.
Savor the aroma
The key to tasting tequila well is through the sense of smell, so pay
heed to your nose. “Many people tend to automatically do it the way
they would wine. They take a big sniff out of the glass. But this is
80 proof alcohol. Therefore, you need to make sure you don't do that
and oversaturate your nose,” Valdez says. Instead he recommends three
little sniffs. The first is to see what aromas you're able to identify
without moving the liquid. Next, twirl the tequila to let the aromas
come through the glass. Alternatively you might try sniffing through
either nostril. As with wine, different people will be able to pick out
different aromas, depending on your susceptibility to spiciness,
herbal aromas and so on.
"Starting with a bit of a neutral spirit, like vodka, is
even better. It's like doing stretches for your tongue's impending work
out."
Taste it slowly
Take a small sip first to get your palate used to the alcohol.
Starting with a bit of a neutral spirit, like vodka, is even better.
It's like doing stretches for your tongue's impending workout. Next,
take the tequila onto your tongue and try to hit all of the flavor
receptors -- salty, bitter, sweet, and so on. “It helps to keep some
liquid in your mouth,” Valdez says. “Breathe with your mouth open with
the liquid in your mouth.” Finally, of course, swallow it for the
back-end notes that will emerge.
Compare and contrast styles
The best way to learn about any type of spirit is to do side-by-side
tastings of different styles. With tequila, start with a blanco, then
progress toward a reposado and on to anejos, moving from youngest to
oldest.
“When I come across someone who says 'I don't like tequila,' I
think, you haven't taken the time,” Valdez says. “Do a tequila flight,
and you're able to experience and do the tasting through different
expressions and find something you'd enjoy, and be able to appreciate
the complexities that each expression will bring.”
It's easier to pick out tasting notes with wine because the common
fruit profiles are things that people are familiar with. It's harder
with tequila, Valdez says, because not many people are accustomed to
the taste of cooked agave. Since tequilas vary so much in flavor and
aroma, there are no hard and fast tasting rules, but there are a few
common traits you'll find. Blancos tend toward the peppery side, with
citrus, agave and herbs being the focal point. Reposados take on the
presence of the wood, and you'll start to detect oak and vanilla,
perhaps olive. With anejos and extra anejos, the wood is more
assertive, and common traits tend to be cinnamon, caramel, chocolate,
and coffee. You might even detect banana, avocado or dry nuts.
El Buen Fin busca reactivar la economía fomentando el consumo, pero sobre todo mejorar la calidad de vida de todas las familias mexicanas.
