agave nectar- what? where? how?

If you have as many questions about Agave Nectar as we do, one excelllent place to begin learning is at 'allaboutagave.com'. They do a good job of answering some very basic what, where and how questions. There are comparisons between Agave, artificial sweeteners and granular sugars. There is a mojito recipe, hopefully more recipes to come, health info including glycemic index specifics all at your finger tips. Check it out today!

is agave syrup good for me?

One of our first stops on the quest for all things Agave is at this question. There seem to be articles all over the place which debate whether Agave syrup or nectar as a sweetener is good for us. Some say it is ok and that if we are trying to lower glucose levels it is perfect. Others say it should be avoided at all costs. Wikipedia has a basic, yet informative page on the sweet and tasty nectar. It has inspired us to look further. We will report our findings as we go. Tune in for more soon......

a new direction- finally!

It has been 16 months and 15 days since our last post. We feel compelled to appologize, but have reaized that an appology would not do justice to the valuable insight we have gained during our time away from all of you. This time away has brought about a new direction...... Away from the specific subject of Tequila and much closer to the amazing subject of Agave. Agave as a nectar, syrup, ingredient, culture, healthy sweetener, magnificent plant and crop that is growing in popularity more and more all of the time. So..... our reverance for Agave has not gone away. It has simply shifted in a very enthusiastic and natural way. We invite you to read our posts as we set off in a new direction. Our quest continues!

dr. dre is in the biz!

André Romell Young, aka Dr. Dre is busting a move into the spirits industry. Regarded as one of the most powerful and popular rap music figures of all time and listed among the highest paid performers in 2001 and 2004 by Rolling Stone Magazine, Dr. Dre is partnering with Drinks Americas on a new line of beverages. Together they have plans to release alcoholic as well as non-alcoholic libations.
Their partnership is all set to unleash a premium tequila as well as a cognac and sparkling vodka. We are excited to see what they can come up with. Our appreciation for the creativity that Dr. Dre has brought to the entertainment industry in general leads us to believe that his tequila will be a huge hit among the masses.
Look out!

p.i.n.k. tequila

Today our quest brings us to a new tequila that is scheduled to hit the market in the next 6 to 12 months. The p.i.n.k. Spirits Company out of New York, NY already sells a premium Vodka and they have plans to sell Rum, Tequila, Gin, White Whiskey, and Sake. The unique feature of p.i.n.k.'s premium spirits is that they are all infused with flavorless caffeine and guarana, two of the worlds most potent energy enhancing substances.
According to a press release posted online by The Earth Times, p.i.n.k. tequila is the world’s first 80 proof, ultra-premium, imported tequila made from 100%, all estate grown, Blue Weber Agave that is infused with caffeine and guarana. p.i.n.k. tequila is produced and bottled in Guadalajara, Mexico by La Cofradia, apparently one of the most prestigious tequila manufacturers.
The p.i.n.k. Spirits Company was founded in 2006 and is the world’s first producer of ultra-premium caffeine and guarana infused spirits. With no added sugar, color, or carbohydrates, p.i.n.k. spirits can be enjoyed straight or used to create any cocktail.
We look foward to trying this Tequila as soon as it hits the market so we can decide for ourselves if it is really a good combination. Anyone who knows anything about Tequila knows that distilled agave has its own energetic properties. The addition of guarana and cafine will likely take the tequila experience to a different level. Keep your eye out for p.i.n.k. Tequila and when you find it we would recommend fastening your seatbelt. It may take you for a ride!

funny joke

Another stop along our quest today brings us to a joke that we have seen pop up on the internet several times recently. We felt that it was worth sharing with all of you because #1. it is very funny, #2. it is tasteful, #3. it involves tequila. We get tired of seeing all of the negative press and stories that are run about tequila, so when we find a good quality joke, we need to share it.
Here it is..........
Tequila Makes You Fly

A guy is sitting at a bar in a skyscraper restaurant high above the city.

He's slamming tequila left and right. he grabs one, drinks it, goes over to a window and jumps out.

The guy who was sitting next to him couldn't believe that the guy had just done that. He was even more surprised when only ten minutes later, the same guy who jumped, comes walking back into the bar and sits back down next to him completely unscathed.

The astonished guy asks," How did you do that???? I just saw you jump out that window and we're hundreds of feet above the ground!!!"

The jumper responds by slurring, "Well, I don't get it either. I slam a shot of tequila and when I jump out the window, the tequila makes me slow down right before I hit the ground. Watch." He takes a shot, slams it down, goes to the window and jumps out.

The other guy runs to the window and watches as the guy falls until right before the ground, slows down and lands softly on his feet.

A few minutes later, the guy walks back into the bar.

The other guy has to try it too, so he orders a shot of tequila. he drinks it and goes to the window and jumps. As he reaches the bottom, he doesn't slow down at all….SPLAT!!!!!!

The first guy orders another shot of tequila and the bartender says to him,"

You're really an jerk when you drink, Superman.

Ha! We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. We are not sure who actually wrote this joke, but we found it through "google alerts" on a blog called "Cheese Says".

cachaça - the next tequila???

Today our quest brings us to Brasil. There is an interesting story on the Business Week website about cachaça (pronounced "ka-sha-sa") being the next tequila of the world. It is Brasil's national drink. A liquor fermented and distilled directly from freshly pressed sugar cane. You might think that cachaça would be more likely to become the next rum of the world, but guess again. Due to the current success of tequila around the globe, the Brazilian's are aiming high and making an honest effort to skip right over rum and compete with tequila.
Cachaça as a finished product is sometimes known as "aguardente" (burning water) or "engasga gato"(cat choker)and varies from 76 proof to 96 proof. Caipirinha is the signature drink for cachaça. It is made of half a lime, quartered, and two teaspoons of granulated sugar muddled together, two ounces of cachaça, a splash of club soda, and ice. The cocktail is extremely refreshing and potent, although it doesn't have quite the kick of tequila.
There are thousands of brands of cachaça made in Brazil by small local distillers on up to regional giants such as Cachaça 51, the country's best-selling brand. In the U.S., however,Pitu, the product of a 75-year-old family business from the northeastern Brazilian state of Pernambuco, is the top seller.
We have had the pleasure of trying cachaça at a local South American style restaurant. If you are in the mood for rum, it is an amazing alternative made in a country of amazing people. However, we can not imagine that it could become the "next tequila". As all of us tequila lovers know, there is nothing in the world that can replace an amazing glass of Don Julio 1942 or any of the three Corzo varieties. It will be fun to watch the cachaça story though. When it comes to beaches, food, dance & music, and football among other things, Brazil is usually able to give the world community a run for its money.
Get a bottle of cachaça and put it to the test.

happy valentine's day! try agavero tequila

There are two things that Mexico is most famous for. The world's finest tequila and a culture that is known for its love of passion. Today our quest brings us to an amazing bottle of tequila liqueur that we must share as a Valentine's Day treat for all of you. Agavero. This unique blend was created as long ago as the 17th century by Lazaro Gallardo, a well known figure in the history of tequila. He created a distillery in Jalisco called Los Camichines that to this day still produces this unique blend and is also well known for its Gran Centenario brand.
Agavero is a simple blend of either Repasado or Anejo tequila with the essence of Damiana flower. Damiana is a plant that has long been known and sought after for its aphrodesiac qualities. Apparently this liqueur has a neon-green hue and is quite thick and sweet. It is said to taste very good. We recomend that it be consumed during social occcasions and most importantly with intimate friends.
It may be hard to find in the US and abroad but can be ordered directly from Mexico. It is not very expensive, so get a bottle and keep it on the shelf for Valentine's Day or any other occasion when you may want to induce more passion.
We hope you love it!

grilled tequila-lime shrimp

Our quest today takes us into the kitchen and outside to the grill. For those of us who live in places that get cold in the winter, thoughts about cooking outside over a grill bring warmth at a time when we need it most. We found a great recipe for Grilled Tequila-Lime Shrimp on allrecipes.com.
So, if you enjoy shrimp or if you live somewhere that is warm all year long, what are you waiting for? Get the ingredients and grill some shrimp. If you dont care for shrimp, this marinade could be used with anything on the grill.
Enjoy!
Total time for this recipe is: 1 Hr. & 16 minutes
Serves 4 people
INGREDIENTS
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons tequila
1/4 cup olive oil
1 pinch garlic salt
1 pinch ground cumin
ground black pepper to taste
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
6 (10 inch) wooden skewers
1 large lime, quartered

DIRECTIONS
1. Whisk together the lime juice, tequila, olive oil, garlic salt, cumin, and black pepper in a bowl until well blended. Pour into a large resealable plastic bag; add the shrimp, seal bag and turn to coat evenly. Refrigerate 1 to 4 hours before grilling.
2. Soak skewers at least 30 minutes in water to prevent burning.
3. Preheat outdoor grill for medium-high heat. Lightly oil grill grate, and place about 4 inches from heat source.
4. Drain and discard marinade from shrimp. Thread shrimp onto prepared skewers, 5 to 6 per skewer.
5. Cook, uncovered, on preheated grill until shrimp turn pink, turning once, for 5 to 7 minutes. Serve with lime wedges for garnish.

liquor sales growth slowdown predicted

According to a recent article in the Los Angeles Times, the distilled spirits industry is predicting the U.S. revenue from liquor sales to increase 4.6% in 2008. This is a decrease from last year's growth rate. The current weakness in the economy may force people to tighten their budgets for going out. According to The Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. revenue rose 5.6% to $18.2 billion in 2007. They expect spirits makers to post $19 billion in revenue in 2008. This is an expected increase of 1.9% in 2008, reaching 185 million cases. In comparison, volume sales advanced 2.4% in 2007.
The current economic slowdown will likely cause consumers to spend less time and money enjoying their favorite restaurants and bars. Such a decrease in consumer spending may slow things down for the industry, but predictions continue to forecast that the spirits industry may still outperform other sectors of the economy. Liquor is often considered a "luxury item" that people will enjoy in the comfort of their own homes, even if they are not going out as much.
The L.A Times article points out that in 2007 tequila was the smallest but fastest-growing segment of the liquor industry, which is dominated by Diageo, Pernod Ricard and Fortune Brands Inc. Apparently, Tequila sales, which made up 15% of the industry total, jumped 10.5% to $1.6 billion in 2007. Let's all hope that this growth will continue. If your bank account is suffering due to the current recession, that doesn't mean you can't continue to enjoy your favorite tequila in the comfort of your own home. Relax, stay at home, enjoy!

jose cuervo launches new marketing campaign

Jose Cuervo has partnered with three-time World Cup participant Alberto Garcia Aspe to launch a groundbreaking campaign boasting Mexican pride. The campaign underscores the Cuervo Tradicional brand's long-standing commitment as an official sponsor of the Mexican National Soccer Team here in the United States, and will concentrate on soccer to deliver a social responsibility message to the multi-generational Mexican consumer.
With the slogan "Mexico, You Always Have It On," Jose Cuervo Tradicional positions its brand at the forefront of Mexican national identity and at the center of its passion for soccer. This landmark campaign is a completely new approach for the brand. The innate pride of the Mexican culture is the driving concept behind this innovative campaign.To communicate its message, Jose Cuervo Tradicional has engaged Alberto Garcia Aspe, one of the best players in the history of Mexican soccer, to act as the official spokesperson. Alberto is quoted saying "I am proud to join an effort that centers on the values of our culture". "Wearing the jersey means representing your culture with dignity and honor. As a soccer player and team captain I always tried to be a role model on and off the field. Now my goal is to motivate the fans and remind them that, to us, living life responsibly is not an option, it is a tradition."
The first phase of the launch is scheduled to begin this month and coincides with the USA-Mexico match taking place in Houston, Texas. Cuervo Tradicional will present its new television spots which will be broadcast by Fox Sports en Espanol, Galavision, Azteca America, ESPN Deportes and the Discovery Network. Recently, these same Jose Cuervo Tradicional social responsibility spots were the first spirits advertising permitted by the Spanish language cable channel Galavision and national cable giant ESPN, breaking new ground for the spirits industry.

*Photo of Alberto Garcia Aspe credited to George Herringshaw

tequila espresso

Our quest has brought us to another amazing cocktail that you must try the next time you would like to be more adventurous with tequila. We came across this trendy idea on the psfk.com website. Created by two old friends, Piers Fawkes and Simon King, psfk is a leader in trend setting and idea generation that has clients such as Coca-Cola, MTV, BMW and Proctor & Gamble.
The drink is simply a mixture of your favorite tequila, a fresh shot of espresso, and ice. It is being referred to as "the new red bull and vodka". psfk.com claims that it is becomming trendy in L.A. these days and can be traced back to a bartender at the Chateau Marmont on Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood, CA.
The next time you want to enjoy yoru favorite tequila along with a healthy jolt of energy, have a tequila espresso. Just be careful to only have one or two if you don't want to be up all night.
Enjoy!

la certeza & lunazul tequila brands part of joint venture

Tierra de Agaves, the Mexican spirits company founded by Francisco Beckmann and sons, former co-owner of Jose Cuervo is now involved in joint ownership of the Lunazul and La Certeza Tequila brands with Heaven Hills, a US family owned distillery. This venture combines Heaven Hill's global distribution network and marketing expertise with Tierra de Agaves' multi-generational focus on growing premium agave plants and producing the best 100% estate-grown Tequilas.
Heaven Hill is adding Lunazul and La Certeza to their leading spirits brands such as Christian Brothers Brandy, Evan Williams Bourbon, Hpnotiq and Pama Pomegranate Liqueur. Lunazul will be offered in both Blanco and Reposado varieties. La Certeza is an award-winning 100% Blue Weber Agave Tequila available in Blanco, Reposado and Anejo varieties.
Both Lunazul and La Certeza are estate-grown on the 3,500 acres of Blue Weber Agave that the Beckmann family and their past generations have controlled since 1758. They are then produced at state-of-the-art distillery completed in 2002 in Tequila, Mexico.

cabo wabo sold for $80 million!

Wow! 2007 was a very good year for Sammy Hagar and Cabo Wabo Tequila. The once lead singer for the rock group Van Halen was noted as having one of the top 20 paydays in 2007 by Forbes Magazine. Hagar was paid $80 million for 80% of the company by Gruppo Campari, the makers of Camparri and Skyy Vodka. 20% of Cabo Wabo is still owned by Hagar. Gruppo Campari has the option to buy the remaining 20% within the next 5 to 8 years. It looks like Sammy may see yet another pay day at some point in the near future.
In 1996 when Hagar left Van Halen he almost immediately invested in the creation of Cabo Wabo brand. He apparently came up with the name after watching a man "wobbling" down the beach in Cabo San Lucas.

4 copas: supporting sea turtles

The world's first organic tequila makers are in the news again. This time it is, in our opinion, for a better reason than being the the first certified organic tequila. 4 Copas has released a limited edition sea turtle bottle in honor of the 2008 annual symposium on sea turtle biology and conservation that will take place in Loretto, Baja California, Mexico from January 19th-26th. Proceeds will go to Seaturtle.org, a non-profit organization that provides a centralized resource for sea turtlers around the world. Much of Seaturtle.org’s work involves satellite tracking, a key method for scientists and the public to learn about sea turtles’ movements and behavior.
We have not been able to find any images of this limited edition bottle anywhere on the web. If anyone out there has seen it, please let us know what you think. At Tequila Savvy we believe very strongly in the preservation of the planet. Whether it is through animal protection; creatig a sustainable future for Agave farmers in Mexico; or any other good cause; we will always continue to support and highlight the work beign done by comapnies like 4 Copas.
If you have ever been witness to the nesting and behaviors of the great sea turtles, you will understand immediately why we are so interested in this special story. Next time you are anywhere where there are sea turtles living, put on your snorkle or scuba gear and spend some time watching them. They are creatures worth protecting!

distiller of the year:2007

According to a November issue of Wine Enthusiast Magazine, Casa Herradura is the 2007 distiller of the year. It is one of the oldest and most respected Tequila distilleries in all of Mexico. Herradura was founded by Ambrosio Rosales and Aurelio Lopez 138 years ago in Jalisco, the heart of Mexico’s Tequila region.
As featured in Wine Enthusiast, Tequila Herradura is 100-percent blue agave Tequila, carefully crafted using traditional methods, such as using clay ovens and fermenting the cooked agave hearts naturally with wild yeast. Tequila Herradura is all natural, estate grown and estate bottled. The distillery introduced the first Reposado Tequila in 1974, and later launched the first Extra Añejo, Seleccion Suprema.
In 1994, Casa Herradura released El Jimador Tequila to honor the men who harvest agave plants. Today, El Jimador is the No. 1 Tequila in Mexico.
Purchased in January 2007 by Brown-Forman of Louisville, Kentucky, a company that has the highest respect for quality and tradition, expect Casa Herradura to prosper despite the change in ownership

2008:agave surplus high

Our quest today brings us to a very enlightening story about the current glut in surplus of Blue Weber Agave in Mexico. Just like the photo we chose says, "Mucho Tequila" is what is in store for this new year. Just seven to eight years ago at the turn of the new millenium there were armed guards protecting blue agave crops. There was such a shortage at that time that farmers and distilleries had to be very weary of potential theives. According to an article we found at tequilasource.com some 1.5 million metric tons of ripe agave came onto the market in 2007 and the tequila industry will use only half of it. A similar surplus is expected in 2008. Tequila makers aren't complaining, of course, but the thousands of farmers who grow agave are seeing red.
Millions of dollars in federal money to bail out farmers hasn't been distributed. Some farmers reportedly burned their agave in desperation and planted corn used for ethanol production instead. Farmer protests could be a fixture of tequila-country visitor tours through 2009.
Industry observers saw the glut coming as long as a decade ago. On a very basic level, the shortage up to 8 years ago caused too many people to begin farming Blue Agave. People who were not even farmers were buying land and planting agave. It seems that things are way out of balance right now. Considering agave grows in 7 year cycles, the year 2014 is already at risk for shortages and increased prices. Experts say that we, as consumers, will not see a drop in tequila prices due to the high cost of transportation these days.
We are keeping our fingers crossed for the agave farmers right now. If they do not get sufficient aide from their government, they could face very hard times for some time to come. Just think..... drinking your favorite tequila more regularly could help feed hungry farming families in Mexico. Go ahead, have a glass for the sake of good people.

tequila.net adds spirits of mexico map

We are huge fans of TEQUILA.net! They seem to be bringing in the new year with a new web savvy feature. You can now visit their site and use a mapping feature that is powered by Google to locate your favorite Tequila, Mezcal, and Sotol distillery or to find a new one that you never even knew existed. Many distilleries shown link to their own photo gallery, showing pictures of their production process, exact address, and current brands produced.
According to our friends at TEQUILA.net additional maps will be added soon showing locations for both liquor stores and recommended restaurants / bars worldwide that are "Agave Friendly". These tools are provided to TEQUILA.net members and browsers that are interested in the Spirits of Mexico, making it simple to find locations worldwide where they can enjoy Agave products when traveling. They have even set it up so we can all contribute to their map's data base.
What are you waiting for?
Visit their site today and explore!

dos lunas grand reserve - $2500 per bottle!!!

Richard C. Poe II, owner of El Paso, Texas based Dos Lunas Tequila has come up with what is being called the most expensive and oldest tequila ever bottled.

We are confused by this information. We recently posted a story about AsomBroso Tequila and how they age their anejo for 11 years. We have also recently read of a bottle of aged tequila that was auctioned off for $225,000. That is a quarter of a million dollars!
Dos Lunas Grand Reserve has been released in limited quantity. There are only 1000 bottles being sold. It is an anejo that has been aged for 10 years in french oak casks that were originally used for aging Spanish Sherry.
In our opinion, the best part of this release is the Baccarat decanter that it is bottled in. It truly looks like a very chic bottle of cologne or cognac. We have read everything from rave reviews to harsh criticism about this limited and very expensive bottle. At this point it would not be fair to pass judgement on the contents of the crystal decanter until we get a chance to taste it for ourselves. If any of you out there have had a taste or know someone who has had a taste, please let us know. If you are one of those lucky 1000, have a glass for the rest of us who may never get the chance.

¡feliz año nuevo! - happy new year!

Today our quest brings us to the end of 2007. This year will always be remembered as the birth year of Tequila Savvy. The year we began our quest for the ultimate tequila. In some places 2008 has already begun. Whether you have already toasted to the new year or have plans to later, be sure to raise a glass of your favorite tequila with friends and family.
Two thousand and seven has proven to be an amazing year of growth in the tequila industry. Our goal at Tequila Savvy for 2008 is to support further growth in the industry while bringing more attention to how tequila relates to the eco/green movement & sustainability. From the momentum we have seen over the past year, it looks as though this new year will bring more attention to Tequila as a premium spirit that tastes good, can be good for the planet and comes from a deep rooted heritage in Mexico.
Please drink responsibly tonight and always.
Salud!

frida kahlo tequila

Today our quest brings us to an interesting yet controversial brand of tequila. Frida Kahlo Tequila. It was created by Isolda P. Kahlo, the niece of the influential Mexican painter. She is the founder of "The Frida Kahlo Corporation" who markets the brand. She also claims the right to license products using the artist’s name and image.
As you can see above the bottle design was done in a style that seems to capture Frida's true essence. Lorenzo Bustillos Galavis a 32 year old industrial designer originally from Caracas worked with JuanCo to artfully design the label. Unfortunately when we went to the JuanCo website it would not open any further than the front page.
The controversy around this issue was brought to our attention on a blog by Mark Vallen called "Art For A Change". Mark insists that we all boycott Frida Kahlo Tequila. He claims that "turning the Frida Kahlo legacy into a brand name tequila is the final straw when it comes to the "Fridamania" cult promoted by the unscrupulous capitalists the artist railed against her entire life".
Vallen's blog post goes on to argue his case by mentioning how art critic and author Raquel Tibol, who befriended Kahlo at the end of the artist’s life, displayed outrage over the painter’s niece exploiting the legacy of Kahlo. Tibol is quoted as saying "This is a dirty shame! Who gave them permission to use her name? Isolda has gone mad in her desire to make money from her family name. This time she’s stepped over the line, it’s a total lack of respect!"
Apparently Tibol’s criticism is well founded. In 1955, just a few years before his death, Diego Rivera established the Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo Museums Trust, an institution run by the Banco De Mexico. The trust was created to hold the works, possessions, and homes of the two artists as a public treasure. It would appear the trust is the only organization authorized to legally give permission to use Kahlo’s name for commercial purposes, or as Tibol put it, "According to the will of Diego Rivera and the establishment of the Foundation, all profitable use of Frida Kahlo must go to the Foundation."
Isolda P. Kahlo and her Frida Kahlo Corporation are marketing lies when they equate Frida’s consumption of tequila with "her love for Mexico, her strength and her passion for life. Tequila, her favorite drink, accompanied her in the greatest moments of her life." The idea of the artist’s alcoholism being somehow romantic could not be further from the truth. It was not a sense of romanticism that led Kahlo to drink a bottle of tequila a day, but the debilitating pain she endured from the accident suffered in her youth. Add to that the grief she experienced with husband Diego, and it’s plain to see that drink was not so much a pleasure for Frida as it was an escape.
So..... We would encourage all of you to think carefully before buying and consuming a bottle of this tequila. It is our job to promote the conscious consumption of tequila, not to tell you what to do.
If you do choose to drink Frida Kahlo Tequila, please do it with reverence for Frida's art and her legacy. At the very least, raise a glass to her.
Salud Frida!

tequila sarabia

During our quest over the past few days we came accross Tequila Sarabia. One reason that we were inspired to write about this brand is the fact that it is quite obscure. After searching all over the web, we were amazed at how little information there is available.
Eduardo Sarabia is from Los Angeles, California and travels between the US, Berlin, Germany and Guadalajara, Mexico where he lives now. According to jameswagner.com he is reportedly "influenced by the intricate poetics of the black market and northern Mexican folklore. His current work creates romantic visual narratives in regards to illegal matter, fine arts and commerce".
Eduardo founded Tequila Sarabia in Guadalajara, Mexico. Since 2002, Sarabia had been researching the traditional distillation process of tequila and developed 3000 liters of his own brand. Made from 100% pure agave from the highlands of Jalisco, Tequila Sarabia offers 3 distinct types of premium tequila, Silver, Gold and Añejo. Each one is bottled in a unique hand made bottle that has a beautifully painted ceramic cap. Each bottle has a certificate of authenticity. In 2006, Eduardo Sarabia sent 300 liters to Berlin, Germany and opened Salon Aleman, a tequila bar/artist project. There did not seem to be very much information available about this project either.
We plan to continue our search for a bottle of Tequila Sarabia so we might see it and taste it for ourselves. If any of you out there know anything more about Eduardo's unique brand,, please let us know.

sotol hacienda de chihuahua

We recently tried a bottle of Sotol Hacienda de Chihuahua Plata. During the process of getting it open we couldnt avoid noticing that the cap was help in place by a leather string which was fastened to the bottle with a wax stamp. Beyond that we were amazed how it tasted exactly like premium tequila. Sotol comes from a wild Agavacea variety called Dasylirion. This is different than the 100%Blue Weber Agave that tequila is made from. The Sotol plants grow mainly in the Chihuahua region of mexico. The plata was quite smooth. We drank it with fresh lime juice as well as in margarita's. We were very impressed with the price once we tasted how good it was. Next time you are looking for a good value, look for Sotol Hacienda de Chihuahua.

Tres Jimadores rating: tres caballitos

eco-tequila: the right thing to do

Last week MSNBC ran an article by Jennifer Alsever that featured 4 Copas organic tequila. The focus of the article was on how drinking organic beverages can help all of us minimize our impact on the ecology of the planet.
Enrico Caruso, senior vice president of sales for 4 Copas Tequila says “Sip tequila and save the world". This is the motto of 4 Copas, the Newport Beach, Calif., maker of tequila that is certified organic by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Caruso said 4 Copas uses no pesticides or chemicals in farming the agave plants used in its tequila and uses only organic yeast in fermentation".
Organic hard liquor is often priced higher than traditional bottles, (4 Copas sells its tequila for $42, $55 and $80 per bottle), and makers are eager to prove their worth. The $6 billion organic food industry is expected to grow 59% by 2012, according to Mintel Research. This sharp growth trend is bringing a lot of new focus and attention to brands like 4 Copas. The organic wine and beer markets have grown paralell to this trend during the last year. If estimates are correct, we could all see tremendous growth and opportunity during 2008.

imbibe: the magazine of liquid culture

We are huge fans of Imbibe Magazine. Before this year ends we feel it is important to highlight the fact that the magazine has won the 2007 Eddie Award:Best Epicurian Magazine and the 2007 Maggie Award:Best Special Interest Magazine. It offers all of us a completely new way of looking at drinks. It also encourages us to see them as a distinct culinary category, deserving in-depth exploration of history, ingredients, preparation, artistry and consumption.
From wine, spirits and beer to coffee, tea and everything in between, Imbibe celebrates the world in a glass. In each issue, you’ll find compelling travelogues, engaging profiles, signature recipes and useful reviews—everything you need to know about the fascinating people, places, flavors and cultures of all things potable. Imbibe is your indispensable guide to all that’s fit to drink.
We just received our copy of the January/February issue. The cover story is focused on Absinthe. Founder/Editor-in-Chief Karen Foley and her staff do an amazing job presenting a high quality magazine that is hard to put down. You can preview it by visiting their website. Get your copy as soon as you can. You wouldn't want to miss out. They also have a blog where they post stories and information that comes up between issues. Add it to your favorites right away!

last minute gift idea: patron xo cafe tequila

With Christmas only a day away we are guessing that there are still many of you out there that need to find that last minute gift for someone in your family or maybe for the hosts of the dinner you plan to attend during the next couple days. We want to suggest that you go out to your favorite local shop that sells tequila and pick up a bottle of the Patron XO Cafe. According to Patron's website, this bottle is an extraordinary blend of premium tequila with pue, natural essence of the finest coffee. It has a dry taste instead of being overly sweet like most coffee liquors. The fact that it is 70 proof allows the coffee and tequila taste to stand out. Patron recommends that it be sipped, used in mixed cocktails or served as a desert topping. We have this vision of tiramisu made with XO Cafe. Doesn't that make your mouth water?
Patron XO Cafe is not just for Christmas either. It would make an amazing birthday gift, father's day gift, housewarming gift or maybe just a gift to yourself. For a quick and easy way to purchase any Patron products online visit patrongift.com. We also noticed that XO Cafe comes in a hard to find, smaller 5cl bottle.
Get some today!

tequila recipes for the holidays

Everyone out there knows all to well that with the holidays comes lots and lots of eating & drinking. Whether you are having guests to your home or going to be a guest at someone else's, it is always wise to have a good choice of liquor and plenty of delicious dessert to enjoy. Today we took some time to look around cyber space in search of recipes to share with all of you. If you ever google "tequila recipes" the first thing you will notice is the redundant cake and cookie recipes that are actually a stupid joke. They offer directions that suggest drinking a cup of tequila between each step "to be sure the tequila is still good". They then go on to mix up words as a way of symbolizing that you will be drunk by the time the recipe is complete.
Unfortunately, for any of us who really love tequila, this is the type of immaturity that has allowed the world at large to not respect tequila for its taste and heritage. In an effort to further our quest, we have found some recipes to share with you.
Good coffee is usually a very important part of the after dinner festivities. The photo above is "Mexican Coffee". We found a recipe for it on the Worldwide Gourmet website. Coffee, tequila and other excellent ingredients make this drink a coffee & tequila aficionado's dream.

If you like pie as much as we do, you will love this next one. It is "frozen margarita pie". We found this fun recipe on the myrecipes website. With ingredients like lime juice, blanco tequila, chocolate wafers and whipped cream, you cant go wrong.
The next one we would like to share with you is an exotic dish that we discovered on the Food Network website. It is called "Tequila Granita with Lychee and Yuzu Cream" Any time you pair tequila with lychee fruit, you are sure to impress your friends & family.
Last but not least, we found a simple yet delicious recipe for "Tequila and lime baked pineapple" on the Epicurious.com website. When we found this image the first word that came to mind was DELICIOUS!!!!
We invite you to visit all of the websites we have mentioned to view the full recipes. Eating & drinking things that are made using tequila is just another way for all of us to appreciate the qualities it posesses.
Happy Holidays from us to you. Enjoy!

asombroso vintage tequila

AsomBroso brand tequila, made by California Tequila LLC has unoficially created a new class of tequila. Vintage! They have come up with a very special anejo that has been aged for 11 years in 220 litre French oak casks and certified by the Tequila Regulatory Counci(CRT). According to Ricardo Gamarra, Founder and President of California Tequila, LLC, 21 years ago Enrique Fonseca Sr., a renown agave grower and tequila maker, decided to take his best organically grown agave and use it to make a special, longer aged tequila for his friends. He hand selected the 100% Blue Agave plants to become this special tequila and then took the freshly distilled premium silver tequila and sealed a cache of it into a few small casks as part of his experiment in making a longer aged Añejo. Twenty-one years after Fonseca Senior’s inspiration, and after aging 11 years in the French oak casks, his son Enrique Fonseca Jr., agreed with Gamarra to bottle and distribute some of this unique vintage anejo. Many of you may already recognize the phalic hand blown bottle that AsomBroso has chosen for its 5 varieties. Ricardo has done an amazing job getting his brand lots of attention and takes special care to see that anyone serving his tequila is carefully trained. The AsomBroso website is well done and full of information about the legend and story behind this award winning brand. Not sure about you, but we will be ordering a bottle as soon as we can so we can taste it for ourselves. If you are into fine tequila, visit their site. Better yet, order yourself a bottle and taste it.

pulque: the original drink of mexico?

Today our quest brings us to an interesting story about pulque, one of tequila's cousins. We have been searching all over the internet in an attempt to discover the truth about this Mesoamerican beverage. According to Wikipedia, pulque goes back as far as 200 AD and was consumed at religious ceremonies prior to the Spanish conquest of Mexico. On a very basic level, Pulque is made by fermenting the aguamiel or juice of the agave until it becomes a beer-like beverage. Until recently Pulque was only found in Mexico and parts of Central America. After 2,000 years,companies like Pulque La Lucha brand by Boulder Imports and the Nectar del Razo brand finally figured out a way to can and bottle pulque so that it can be exported to the United States. Previously it was not possible to ship pulque long distances because it kept fermenting, and ultimately became undrinkable. Thanks to the younger generations in places like Mexico City and these improvements in packaging technology, pulque is experiencing a new found popularity. In the end, the truth is that pulque & tequila are very different, but we can not argue that pulque is older and now has its rightful place in our modern world.

vintage jose cuervo

The year 2008 is now 18 days away. Forty years ago, distilleries like Jose Cuervo were already setting the pace for many others to follow. This ad from the late 1960's was found on a blog written by Paula Zaegaj-Reynolds called "Advertising is good for you". The colorful background and the sophistication portrayed in this image was enough to make us want to run right out and buy a bottle of Jose's timeless tequila. We hope you enjoy this ad as much as we do.

muchoTE tequila - debut on TEQUILA.net

Today our quest has come across a very interesting story. The first ever internet based tequila debut! MuchoTE, a Denver based tequila company has decided to launch their "juice" via cyber space. Fasten your seatbelts web surfers,on January 29th, 2008 there will be a virtual tasting and Q&A session held on and by TEQUILA.net. Anyone who is interested in getting your hands on one of the first bottles of MuchoTE's repasado needs to go to TEQUILA.net immediately. This offer is only available to TEQUILA.net subscribers. Twin brothers Will & Dave Elger from Denver, Colorado started the company with the intention of getting high quality, good tasting tequila to all of us aficionados at a great price. They consider their repasado to be a super premium style produced in limited quantities. "MuchoTE" means "a whole lot more". It is an expression of what Will & Dave wanted to offer to their friends and now to all of us.

itequila.org

We have had a link to itequila.org on our sidebar for a while now and it's finally time to feature them. Any of you who have a thirst for tequila information like we do will know that there are many resources out there. itequila.org seems to us to be one of the most user friendly and informative. They go through it all. Anything from the Tequila region of Mexico, to how tequila is made, to myths about tequila, to tequila brands and websites. There is far to much to mention it all now, but we highly recommend that you visit the site right away. The "Myths About Tequila" section was a favorite for us. Viva Tequila!

sauza hornitos new ad campaign

We found this image in an article run by Beverage World. Evidently, Hornitos has invested $15 million in its new ad campaign. "The Fine Line" is their new mantra. We were so happy to see that another powerful brand is making an effort to further the idea that tequila can and does taste good. The days of salt and limes are comming to a close for the tequila industry. I guess for those of you who still indulge with body shots, this idea might bring tears to your eyes, but quite frankly, we are very happy that the tequila industry is delivering great tasting brands to market. The image of heaven & hell in this new campaign is supposed to represent "the fine line" between the strength of tequila and the smoothness of hornitos. The new image delivered by the agave leaf shaped label and the "hornitos green" line is a nice step toward a greater good for the industry.
Remember the way the bottle looked up until now? We commend Sauza for their efforts.