The Spirits Business held its annual Tequila & Mezcal Masters early in the year, where an experienced panel of judges blind-tasted tequilas to award medals to the best ones on account of their superior quality. The event was organised at Café Pacifico in London and a two-team jury sat down to taste different labels in the premium and super-premium category. Here are 5 tequilas that won, listed in no particular order
1. Patrón Reposado Tequila
Patrón Reposado is distilled in small batches from 100% Blue Weber agave. It is aged for over two months in oak barrels and is bottled at 40% ABV. The tequila, which is priced at US $65, won an award for its gentle character and peppery and earthy agave flavours.
Patrón Reposado offers a flavour profile of fresh agave and oak, with notes of honey, fruit and citrus, and an aroma of oak wood and fresh agave. The tequila has a light floral and vanilla finish.
2. Sierra Milenario Tequila Blanco
Sierra Milenario Tequila Blanco is distilled from 100% agave and is listed in the super-premium category of tequila. The handcrafted spirit is produced by family-owned Destilerías Sierra Unidas in Jalisco, Mexico and is triple-distilled in traditional copper pot stills.
The tequila was awarded a medal for its subtle floral flavour profile and clean aroma of agave. It is priced at US $54.
3. Satryna Tequila Blanco
Satryna Blanco is produced from 100% Blue Weber agave and is distilled thrice in small batches. The matured agave is sourced from Guadalajara and is steam cooked for 24 hours before the liquid is collected and fermented. Bottled at 38% ABV, the tequila is aged in Cognac and California-imported oak barrels.
Satryna Blanco is priced at US $90, and won a medal for its well-balanced character, a flavour profile of caramel and butterscotch and a salty finish.
4. El Jimador Tequila Reposado
El Jimador Tequila Reposado is distilled from hand-harvested Blue Weber agave. The spirit is naturally fermented and distilled twice. After the distillation process is complete, the tequila is aged in handmade American oak barrels for around two months, until the desired spirit character forms. It offers a flavour profile of spice, fruit, vanilla, wood and toasted hazelnuts, with an aroma of toasted wood, vanilla, fruits, spices and cooked agave.
El Jimador Tequila Reposado won an award for its pleasant hints of tobacco smoke and citrus. A 700ml bottle of the spirit is priced at US $30.
5. Sierra Tequila Reposado
Sierra Tequila Reposado was awarded a medal for its flavour profile of dry fruits, prunes, orange and grapefruit and the long finish that resulted after each sip.
The tequila packs an aroma of vanilla, caramel and herbs and is quite popular in Mexico. It is traditionally twice-distilled in copper pot stills and is aged for nine months in toasted oak barrels. A bottle of the spirit is priced at US $36.
If you could sit down with one of these bottles, which one would you choose? Tell us in the comments below!
