A holiday commemorating the Mexican Army victory over foreign intervention in 1862 – now morphed into a celebration of Mexican identity & culture – often of the alcoholic variety – tequila.
To mark the day I further explored this wonderfully pungent spirit by tasting Patrón’s 3 core releases.
Silver, Reposado & Anejo.
All are presented in highly attractive & distinctively shaped bottles complete with oversized corks at 40% ABV using 100% blue agave.
Silver is the unaged variety.
It displays the pure clean taste of agave after it’s long growing period & subsequent distillation process to make Tequila.
A lovely pungenty earthy agave note of soft ripe fruits with thick legs and an oily consistency.
The palate was smooth & rich in flavour.
A light peppery spice enlivened the finish over a slowly fading earthiness & attractive heat.
Very enjoyable!
The Reposado is aged for 3 to 5 months in oak barrels – ex-bourbon barrels are commonly used!
A more pronounced nose with an added charred cask note.
The mouthfeel was softer – more mellowed agave with an easier overall appeal & gentler finish.
Anéjo is aged for more than 12 months in French Oak, Hungarian Casks & ex-bourbon barrels.
Hints of vanilla, caramel & a soft smoke overlay the earthy agave.
Silky smooth on the palate – the flavours are more balanced & complex bouncing between the cask influence & pungent agave base.
A more relaxed experience.
All 3 were highly enjoyable easy sippers.
My order of preference would have to be Silver for the sheer exuberance & excitement of the agave.
Anéjo for the interaction of that earthy agave with cask aging notes more familiarly encountered in Whiskey.
And finally Reposado possibly slipped between 2 stools here but an engaging offering on it’s own merits.
I’d happily explore more tequila based on these experiences.
Salud!
WestmeathWhiskeyWorld 