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It’s a disgrace that the Jose Cuervo title has been so tarnished by its money cow product, the artificially coloured dreck that’s most customers’ first encounter with one thing referred to as tequila. The firm properly retains that title off the entrance of this pyramid-shaped, heavy glass bottle. In truth till I took the Cuervo Express prepare out to the distillery from Guadalajara, I didn’t even know 1800 was a part of their portfolio.
When I did a personal tasting after the tour of the Cuervo plant, after all I anticipated the Reserva de la Familia to be nice. This is the corporate’s satisfaction and pleasure and it normally retails for greater than $100 a bottle. I got here away actually impressed with this 1800 Añejo tequila although and purchased a bottle proper then and there. I pulled it out at any time when I had one thing to have a good time and each time I used to be delighted.
Unfortunately, it didn’t final all that lengthy.
In the years since then, I’ve gravitated again to 1800 tequila a number of instances, selecting this up as an excellent sipping tequila to have readily available that I do know will please guests with a discerning palate. It’s one which tastes far costlier than the value tag would counsel and the bottle feels good within the hand when pouring.
About 1800 Tequila
This premium 1800 tequila is comprised of 100% blue agave and the añejo model is aged in new French and American oak barrels for no less than one yr, however with some barrels getting old for as much as three. In Mexico it’s 38% alcohol, which I discover preferable for sipping, however within the worldwide promote it’s 40%.
This is a simple tequila to seek out in obligation free shops, so it’s a dependable option to carry house or decide up as a last-minute reward. (If you’re utilizing it for cocktails although, step right down to the reposado or silver model.) It’s additionally a staple in U.S. liquor shops, with the advertising of Cuervo and Proximo Spirits behind it.
Where does the title 1800 come from? History says that tequila began formally promoting in 1795, when permission from Spain got here down, and 1800 was the primary yr they began getting old the spirit in wooden barrels.
If you purchase this tequila in Mexico, the bottle label could also be barely completely different but it surely’s equally simple to seek out. The value could be a bit deceptive in case you examine it to what you’d pay within the USA as a result of it’s not apples to apples. Bottles are 700 ml in Mexico, in comparison with 750 within the USA, plus there’s that slight alcohol distinction. As I write this the value on the La Comer grocery store is the equal of US$43 and at Leuken’s within the USA it’s $47 plus tax when not on sale, so principally a wash.
Tasting 1800 Anejo Tequila
For most individuals, the primary phrase that involves thoughts after sipping that is both “easy” or “scrumptious.” It’s very well-balanced and doesn’t have loads of chew to it. The lengthy getting old in new oak barrels positively brings a couple of smoothing out of the sides and a mellowing of the alcoholic chew.
That doesn’t imply it’s missing in complexity although. Most will style the same old caramel, clove, and vanilla notes, plus regardless of the getting old there’s a recent agave style that isn’t overwhelmed by the oak. You could detect some hints of coconut, cinnamon, and orange peel as properly.
The different defining attribute of this aged tequila is the persistently good expertise from starting to finish. The hefty glass bottle with wooden stopper cap feels stable within the hand and the primary whiff of the glass after pouring instantly makes me begin salivating. It’s a pleasing sensation when it first rolls throughout the completely different style buds within the mouth and the end is equally satisfying. There’s a heat and harmonious lingering of the flavour components after it’s lengthy gone.
Get extra information on the 1800 Tequila web site. The web site has some tequila cocktail recipes, however I can’t bear to combine good aged tequila like this. I’ll use a youthful model for that.
Hand me $45 – $50 to purchase something within the tequila part and I’ll gladly make this buy once more, wanting ahead to some good sipping classes.
What you gained’t discover me shopping for is one among two tequilas scoring a prime gold prize within the 2024 International Wine & Spirit competitors in London. The associated cousin that gained was the 1800 Milenio Extra Añejo Tequila, a model in a fancier tall bottle that’s matured on the finish in French Oak Cognac bottles. Sounds fantastic, learn extra about it right here, however at $249 and up for a bottle, it in all probability gained’t be going into my cart anytime quickly.
Article by Timothy
Timothy Scott is the founder and editor of Luxury Latin America and has been protecting the area as a journey journalist because the mid-2000s. He has visited every nation we cowl a number of instances and is predicated in a UNESCO World Heritage metropolis in central Mexico, the place he owns a house. See contact info right here.
