It is a great time to try these new Tequilas!
These are the new Tequilas you should be drinking, right from celeb collabs to ultra-aged bottlings. The question is not whether you mix Tequila into a Paloma or Margarita, though it would be wonderful to order one of each, the type of Tequila is what we’ll discuss here. The varieties of Tequila are ever-growing, and in quite a few cases, blurring the shelf-space.
Special Occasions for Tequila
Bracing blancos is the one if you love them crisp. There is a growing number of celebrities adding names to the labels available. Some of these offers are part of a two-for-one deal as well. Partida has introduced a single-barrel reserve in terms of reposados. This is a designation which was earlier reserved only on whiskey bottlings.
Others Occupying Shelf Space
The category has grown even more luxe if you enjoyed longer-aged Tequilas. Some pricey bottles and remarkably delicious Tequilas now adore the shelf if your emphasis is on ‘ultra-premium’ bottles. These include new entrants like the Patron, El Tesoro, and Gran Centenario. Some of these bottles hold spirits that are aged 10 or even 15 years. Ensure that these are for special occasion sippers.
- Villa One Silver – This one is a newcomer. It is backed by the singer/songwriter Nick Jonas (husband of the Indian cine flame Priyanka Chopra) and menswear designer John Varvatos. Villa One Silver may be quite tempting to write it off just as another celeb Tequila. But then, it sips light and clean, while imparting mellow hints of coconut, almond, and clove heat.
- Tanteo Blanco – Most brands usually start with unflavored spirits and then work their way towards flavored expressions. But Tanteo rolled out of the gate many years ago with infused Tequilas. It includes cocoa and spicy jalapeno. This distillery is owned by an agave farmer cooperative and released a blanco in November last year. It is bottled at 85 proof and is slightly sweet and slightly floral while finishing bright and spicy. The higher proof of Tanteo Blanco means that it is specifically designed to enhance a classic Margarita.
- Santo Blanco – This is a collab between the TV personality Guy Fieri and rock star Sammy Hagar. This “Old World Tequila” is designed to be session-able and light. Stop rolling your eyes! Hagar is also behind the tequila-mezcal hybrid Santo Mezquila now owned by Gruppo Campari. It was launched in 2017 with Maroon 5’s Adam Levine. See that, Hagar has some boozy bona fides.
- Patron Extra Anejo 10 Anos – This limited-edition expression brand is the oldest Tequila to date. Aged for ten years in a blend of hybrid American French Limousin oak barrels and American oak, this spirit was released in September 2019. This ultra-premium Tequila is extra-aged and aims to lure whiskey and cognac fans. Layered with maple and vanilla, you can expect plenty of dried-fruit richness in the Patron Extra Anejo 10 Anos.
- Partida Single Barrel Reserve – This single barrel reserve Tequila was launched in January 2020. This estate-bottled reposado is the culmination of efforts put by the master distiller, Jose Valdez. Initially, Valdez sampled 100 barrels and they winnowed them down to just 30 barrels. Partida Single Barrel Reserve has aged a minimum of six months. It features the most complexity and depth. With this Tequila, you can look for layers of smooth honey, pear, and vanilla amped up even further than mark the owners’ trademark reposado.
- Gran Centenario Leyenda – This Tequila was previously available only in Mexico. It is an ultra-premium extra anejo. Made with a core of four-year-old Tequila married with a smaller amount of reserves aged up to 15 years, the Gran Centenario Leyenda is a special blend. It was created as a special sipper for family and guests. You can expect a smooth and nutty maple sip in this Tequila along with plenty of clove spice and cinnamon.
- El Tesoro Extra Anejo – This cocoa and coffee-tinged Tequila is rich. It was released in October 2019. This is a permanent addition to the El Tesoro’s portfolio. El Tesoro Extra Anejo is aged in ex-bourbon barrels for four to five years. The late father of the current master distiller Carlos Camarena put the first batch in barrels years ago. The owner of this Tequila is a third-generation distiller.
- Cazadores Anejo Cristalino – With color deliberately filtered out, there is a growing number of cristal Tequilas, aka aged Tequilas adoring the liquor shelves. The Cazadores Anejo Cristalino is a newcomer that starts as an extra anejo. It is aged in oak for more than two years to give the finished spirit a robust flavor. The drink is still clear in the glass. It is tinged with mellow almond and vanilla tones instead of blanco’s brisk and citrusy bite.
Great Time for Tequilas
Leave behind the next faux pas and take a shot of Tequila. Treat this drink like a sipping rum or whiskey. Make sure to nose it gently with small sips. Let it open up for you. Use a wine glass or a tasting glass to bring out the flavors. One of the best atmospheres for trying Tequila is when you are relaxing with mates. It need not be just a shot, but shots can liven up your time.
