Tequila...not our colleague here, or the town

Wow, Don Roberto is quite a bargain at about 100 pesos for a big bottle. Today that's about 5.39 USD or 7.04 CAD. I'm in for two cases!

There is a very nice Tequila sold by Bodega Aurerra Soriana Etc.? The brand is Don Roberto. It is smooth and relatively inexpensive. Can be sipped straight up or used in Margaritas! About 100 Pesos for 1.75 Litros!

This being Cinco de Mayo a story appeared online about tequila. Here is a website where you can see a list of a few good ones.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/foodanddrink/beverages/100-best-tequilas-under-dollar50/ss-BBsBNge#image=1

100 BEST TEQUILAS UNDER $50
As the late, great comedian George Carlin once said, “One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor.”
It’s an apt summary for a liquor that has claimed a number of victims by way of ruthless hangovers. And while the folks at UnderTheLabel, part of the Graphiq network, don’t recommend drinking to excess, it’s sometimes acceptable to let your hair down once in a while for a holiday or special occasion.
To that point, Cinco de Mayo is nearly upon us. The celebration, which has become more of an American holiday than a Mexican one, generally connotes parties involving margaritas and Mexican food. Using data from historical and recent San Francisco World Spirits competitions, ratings and reviews from Wine Enthusiast Magazine and reviews from Tequila.net, UnderTheLabel found 100 great tequilas under $50.
We'll rank the list in descending order by price. In the event of a tie, tequilas were listed at random.
You can download UnderTheLabel’s Alcohol Finder app on the Google Play store.

Thanks all for the ideas and am printing. Briansue...I think I saw that store yesterday. Will hit it up tomorrow. Thanks!!!

Another note - if you are still at Roca and plan on a visit to Chapala and/or Ajijic before heading out there is a liquor store in Ajijic where you can learn a lot about tequila from the employees. If you know Ajijic at all it is next to the Super Lake store - a US type grocery store catering to gringos with all kinds of weird US products - such as Borst. If you head toward Chapala this store is actually on the way out of Ajijic on the right side - I can't quite remember what to look for - there is a traffic light - I think the Modelorama is across the street - it is past the Coke distributor - past Walmart. Anyway, this liquor store could have the widest variety of tequila you will see anywhere - aisles of just tequila. Being as it is in gringlandia you probably won't see the best prices but you might learn something there.

There is lots you could learn about tequila if you really want to. Gone are the days of the worm and slamming. Tequila is now considered sipping liquor and has become high class stuff - up there with single malt scotch. Some tequila can be very expensive but sometimes that has to do at least in part with the bottle - some bottles have become works of art - there is no standard bottle design - they are all different. Below are a bunch of web addresses where more can be learned. Maybe you can find an interesting brand that is produced somewhere near the town of Tequila where you can visit the factory. In Tequila there is Jose Cuervo which has an interesting tour. There is no RV park near Tequila though tours are run from both Roca Azul and Chimulco. People do boondock in town in Tequila but we have not done it. You can spend a lot of money on tequila or you can find decent stuff for around $10 in Mexico - many Mexicans drink Jimador. Lately we have been taking an interest in Mezcal which has also moved into the ranks of high class stuff. Below is very basic info about tequila.




http://tastetequila.com/2014/the-best-tequilas-for-under-30/


http://www.proof66.com/liquor/classic-tequila.html


http://tequila.underthelabel.com/


http://www.tequila.net/


http://www.mensjournal.com/expert-advice/the-18-best-tequilas-in-the-world-20131217


http://www.tequilasource.com/typesoftequila.htm


http://www.tequila.net/faqs/tequila/types-of-tequila-classifications.html


With close to 1000 Tequila brands to choose from, it helps to know the different types of Tequilas and the categories they fall into. Strict regulations on labeling assist the consumer in determining the type of the spirit, where it was produced, and the term it was aged (if any).

The main two types of Tequila are first split into two categories, 100% Blue Agave, and Tequila Mixto (Mixed). Mixto Tequila contains a minimum of 51% Blue Agave, and the remaining 49% from other sugars (typically cane sugars). The additional products allowed in Mixto Tequilas are caramel color, oak extract flavoring, glycerin, and sugar based syrup. Mixto Tequila can now be bottled outside of the Tequila territory, including other countries, which started January 6, 2006.

By reading the label on the bottle you can tell which clasification it is in, as all Tequila that is made from 100% Blue Agave will say "Tequila 100% de agave" or "Tequila 100% puro de agave". All other Mixto Tequila labels will only read "Tequila".

The above two categories of Tequila are then divided into the following five types of Tequila and are labeled as such:


Tequila Silver - Blanco - Plata - White - Platinum
This is the Blue Agave spirit in its purest form. It is clear and typically un-aged, where the true flavors and the intensity of the Agave are present, as well as the natural sweetness. It can be bottled directly after distillation, or stored in stainless steel tanks to settle for up to 4 weeks. There are some Blanco products that are aged for up to 2 months to provide a smoother or "Suave" spirit.


Tequila Gold - Joven - Oro
Gold Tequila is typically a Mixto, where colorants and flavorings have been added prior to bottling. These "young and adulterated" Tequilas are less expensive and used in many bars and restaurants for "mixed drinks".

There are exceptions however, as a "Gold" or "Joven" Tequila can also be the result of blending a Silver Tequila with a Reposado and/or Añejo Tequila, while keeping the 100% Agave classification.


Tequila Reposado
A Reposado Tequila is the first stage of "rested and aged". The Tequila is aged in wood barrels or storage tanks between 2 months and 11 months. The spirit takes on a golden hue and the taste becomes a good balance between the Agave and wood flavors. Many different types of wood barrels are used for aging, with the most common being American or French oak. Some Tequilas are aged in used bourbon / whiskey, cognac, or wine barrels, and will inherit unique flavors from the previous spirit.


Tequila Añejo (extra aged)
After aging for at least one year, Tequila can then be classified as an "Añejo". The distillers are required to age Añejo Tequila in barrels that do not exceed 600 liters. This aging process darkens the Tequila to an Amber color, and the flavor can become smoother, richer, and more complex.


Tequila Extra Añejo (ultra aged)
A new classification added in the summer of 2006, labeling any Tequila aged more than 3 years, an "Extra Añejo". Following the same rule as an "Añejo", the distillers must age the spirit in barrels or containers with a maximum capacity of 600 liters. With this extended amount of aging, the Tequila becomes much darker, more of a Mahogany color, and is so rich that it becomes difficult to distinguish it from other quality aged spirits. After the aging process, the alcohol content must be diluted by adding distilled water. These Extra Añejo’s are extremely smooth and complex.

100 Anos Blanco Tequila, http://www.drinkhacker.com/2010/11/06/review-100-anos-tequila/

rocmoc n AZ/Fld/Baja

Another vote for Cazadores, and Centinario Silver. Both are available NOB, but are very good, not expensive here, but are NOB. Both are for sipping, not slamming or mixing. Of course, you can always use good booze for that, but it's a waste!

We haven't had problems parking in Tequila, just go to the plaza, talk to the cop there, and both times, they have cleared a parking place for us, we are 27 feet. However, the best price deals are at Soriana, Ley, or another big grocery chain. The tours at the major distilleries are fascinating, and should be done.

I'm not a user, but over the years I have purchased bottles for my kids (adults). They seem to favour Herradura Anejo or Gran Centenario Reposada. The Centenario is the cheaper one. I havent seen either brand here in Canada where I shop.

Scorp.

One could stop a little east of Tequila near the town of Amatitan, and go to the Hueradura distillery. They make a range of tequilas, with the horseshoe label, and have been doing so since about the 1880's, as a family business. When we stopped there a few years ago, paid a small amount for their tour, they still had some old production areas left, to get a good idea of how the tequila was made in the 1920's. Of course the more modern facilities were in use as well and after viewing them we saw an old film and then- what we'd been waiting for - the tasting of the various products. Near the end the group were left to sample whatever you wanted; then we stumbled (just kidding) over to the store where you could buy your favourites. We were a group of two couples, and one of the more responsible gals did the driving, back to Villa Corona, and the Chimulco balinerio RV Park. Initially we had had
difficulty finding Heuradura, as the plant was situated behind a cemetary.