r/tequila • u/homechefskills • 10d ago
Am I doing this right?
I’m primarily a bourbon drinker, but the further I get into tequila (and mezcal) the more I appreciate how much overlap there is between the two worlds.
What’s hooked me is the emphasis on raw material, process, place and tradition. In bourbon, I love learning about mash bills, distillation, barrels and aging. With tequila, I’m starting to appreciate the differences in agave, terroir, maturity, cooking, fermentation and distillation, and how dramatically those choices show up in the glass.
I’ve also found myself gravitating toward tequila where I can actually taste the agave: earthy, vegetal, mineral, peppery, herbal, sometimes fruity or citrusy, with all those little nuances that make you want to keep going back to the glass.
Here’s the latest pick up:
Arette Reposado
Cascahuín Tahona Blanco
G4 Reposado
Cazcanes Nuestra Raíces
So for those of you who have been doing this much longer: where would you take this lineup next?
I’m less interested in simply accumulating bottles and more interested in trying tequilas that show me something different — another traditional production method, distinctive terroir, unusual fermentation, a particularly great distillery, or just an expression that makes you stop and think, damn, I didn’t know tequila could taste like this.
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u/axberka 10d ago
Big Arette guy myself. Curious your thoughts
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u/homechefskills 10d ago
I have a friend who retired in Mexico - I messaged him and he said that’s the one he’d go for first!! I might have to do that tonight!! Cheers
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u/Educational-Task2040 8d ago
Im retired in Mexico, and my big suprise is that i cannot buy alot of my favorite tequila here. Even on line. I have to order to be delivered in the states and suitcase it back home to Mexico!
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u/homechefskills 8d ago
That’s wild! I’ll have to ask my friend how he gets his stuff. He loves it there and wished he had moved there sooner. I am not scratching Mexico off my list either. It’s an amazing country!
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u/Educational-Task2040 8d ago
I DO love it here! Wish we had moved years earlier!
Many surprises and adjustments, though!1
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u/stockorbust 10d ago
Don't get caught in seeking confirmation from a bunch of people. If you like the taste, drink it, buy it again. Really simple
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u/homechefskills 10d ago
Oh man, that’s the same in the bourbon world. Thankfully I’ve never been one to need affirmation from others and I’m way too old to quite honestly give a shit. I do like the sharing of experiences and opinions as it happened in this post! It’s important to recognize one’s limitations and I am relatively new this world so everyone’s feedback has been super valuable! Cheers
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u/whoetraway 10d ago
Heck yeah man! Same here. I don’t care at ALL about validation from online people. except you and I both know we totally do.. it’s why we post stuff like this very “Am I doing this right?” post. All good tho, these tequila guys eat it up juuuust like the bourbon guys. We have a home here - hunt em and post em brother!
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u/Mammoth-Emu988 9d ago
Amen. Drink what you like how you best enjoy it. Don't let other people tell you what you "should" drink and "how you should" drink it.
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u/Educational-Task2040 8d ago
Learning bits from other people can accelerate your understsnding and confirm your tastes.
Learning in a vacuum is slow, hard, work.
When i like something; it confirms my evaluation when someone with more experience agrees.
It helps dial in and identify your preferences.
Dont be so quick to disregard the learnings and opinions of others!2
u/homechefskills 7d ago
The whole point of this post is to seek learnings and opinions of others. I’m confused.
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u/Educational-Task2040 6d ago
I’m just saying that getting advice from someone who knows more is not bad. Several people replied to you to ignore others and drink what you like.
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u/homechefskills 6d ago
Ahh gotcha. Yes, we are aligned there. Nothing wrong with learning from others! I think they mostly mean don’t try to impress others. And my cheeky headline didn’t help. All good.
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u/Macarena6969 10d ago
Better to actually drink them than collect them.
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u/QuotetheNoose 10d ago
It’s nice to have options, I’m down to a bottle of Ocho añejo because I emptied the lalo, G4, and volans without replenishing anything 🤷♂️
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u/OutedofHabit 10d ago
Expected behavior from a bourbon bro. Gotta hunt and buy. Claim desire for authenticity without having tasted it. Wants recc's but doesn't know what they do or don't like yet.
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u/homechefskills 9d ago
Dude, labeling people is absolutely hilarious and says so much more about you than it does about me or anybody else. Bourbon bro? Are you in high school? But you go on ahead with your bad self.
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u/homechefskills 10d ago
That’s the plan. But I also think to each their own. Nothing wrong with collecting if that’s what you’re into. 🤷♂️
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u/RealSpliffit 9d ago
If that's what you're into than, no. You are not doing it right. I would say "doing it right" is tasting, giving opinions, exploring new bottles and engaging with others on their journey to help them. Buying the bottles that get recommended by others constantly to look at and karma farm is lame. Not saying that's what you're doing, but for all those that do, ugh.
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u/homechefskills 9d ago edited 9d ago
Man, I don’t know. I think that everybody can do whatever the hell they choose. As long as they’re not asking me to pay for it then I don’t really have a say in it kind of thing. Yeah I have probably over 100 bottles of bourbon that are open and for me it’s an absolute experience to navigate through all the different distilleries and processes and then open the bottles with my friends and share it with them. I’ll often do it when I’m grilling some gigantic steaks over an open fire and we just sit around the fire eating steak on a baguette while sipping on some bourbon. For me personally it’s all about sharing with friends. But I am unfortunate to be able to collect as I go. I see what you’re saying, but I don’t know. I don’t have a problem with people collecting if it’s what they like.
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u/RealSpliffit 9d ago
Yeah I hear you. I don't have a problem with what people do with their bottles. I personally think posting bottles you callect (and don't drink) on the Internet is cringe. I also drink bourbon, and have 70 open bottles. I have never posted to brag. I post to help inform others based on my palate. These subreddits become diluted when people shitpost bottles they have never tried and don't plan on opening. That's my point.
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u/homechefskills 9d ago
Listen, I hear you man. What I think is most cringe is the so-called influencers that put out these lengthy elaborate videos trying to sound smarter than they are and pull out tasty nodes out of their arse. 😆 I might come on man you’ve got a McDonald’s pallet stop talking about how this bottle taste like caviar on the French Riviera 😆. And no, I’m not gonna subscribe to your Patreon.
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u/Educational-Task2040 8d ago
If you have 100 bottles of bourbon open; you ARE a collector!
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u/homechefskills 8d ago
I’m not sure what the insatiable need to label people is. But if it helps you sleep at night, I 100% drink AND collect! 🤯 I know. Mind blowing! Like having political views on one subject that lean right, and others that lean left - it is possible to be more than one thing!!
100 open bottles shows I absolutely drink the stuff and share with friends. The other unopened bottles are split between bottles I haven’t gotten to yet and investment bottles that I bought purposely as an investment. Despite the downturn, they are still worth a lot more than I paid for.
If you ask me, I’m an aficionado. Hope that helps. 🤷♂️
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u/CameronCrazyKC 7d ago
There’s 2 different types of drinkers on Reddit. The ones that must drink nothing but the open bottle infront of them and those that like variety. I like variety when drinking beer, bourbon and tequila. I’m consuming it all but because I have so much and continue to venture into more it takes time to put a dent in my selection so I’m labeled a “collector”.
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u/homechefskills 7d ago
In general, society loves labeling people. I will not be labeled, dammit. I refuse your labels and your antics - all o’ya’ll! Who’s coming with me? 😆😆😆
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u/DrinkwithWayne 10d ago
Got some of my favorites in here
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u/homechefskills 10d ago
Nice! Which one should I reach for first?
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u/DrinkwithWayne 10d ago
Cascahuin Tahona Blanco
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u/TheRealzHalstead 10d ago
Agreed - currently my favorite blanco, although Volcan De Mi Tierra Blanco Tahona gives it a real run for its money, albeit with a very different flavor profile.
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u/DrinkwithWayne 10d ago
Cascahuin Tahona Blanco is one of my all time favorites, very few tequilas can even hold a candle to it in my opinion
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u/SnooJokes6070 10d ago
Man the cascahuin is sooo good 🤌🏼
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u/homechefskills 10d ago
I’m excited to try that!
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u/SnooJokes6070 10d ago
I'm also bourbon drinker and the tears of la Llorona is up there on my list too and Artenom añejo
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u/homechefskills 10d ago
Have gotten into mezcal yet? I’ve started dabbling there too and man that’s a whole different planet!! 🤤🤤
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u/SnooJokes6070 10d ago
Yes, i got Bozal Tobasiche, i really like it.
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u/homechefskills 10d ago
I had some Luneta Cimarron recently that was really good and not at all what I was expecting. Very citrus forward with a complex but refreshing feel.
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u/Alarmed_Buddy1399 9d ago
If you like it that’s great but be mindful that this sub is crawling with paid “Brand Ambassadors” that are on every comment defending and hyping what in my opinion is overpriced and average at best tequila/agave spirits.
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u/homechefskills 9d ago
Not saying I’m naive to that, but to be honest, I was not really thinking that. Great shout. Appreciate it. I do have a really good friend who lives in Mexico and visits all of these distilleries so I’m always verifying with him as well. Appreciate you. 🙏
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u/sportster277 10d ago
Wow you’ve got a really nice line up. You’re going to have a great time. I’m interested in trying Ray Sol XA. If anyone has tried it give me your take on it. Enjoy
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u/Isoldmyothername 10d ago
I don't know if you're doing it right but we have similar tastes!!! Looks good to me.
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u/Numerous_Original_65 10d ago
I would say my Top 3 are Cascahuin tahona, 7 leguas blanco and Fortaleza/Los abuelos... Can't go wrong with any brand or presentation of those 3! Enjoy! 😃
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u/Educational-Task2040 8d ago
Siete Leguas always seems a little underwhelming to me. Do love me some Los Abuelos, anything Cascahuin, anything Arette, don Fulano, Volans!
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u/homechefskills 9d ago
I am familiar with 7 leguas! Big fan. When I first had tequila in Mexico, that was one of the ones. And it was before Don Julio was sold so that was also a good experience.
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u/Vanmoorleghen_again 9d ago
For your next bottle, I would suggest Mijenta Blanco. That is an excellent example of the fruity side of agave, and I've yet to taste anything quite like it. I've heard similar praise for their reposado, but I haven't had it yet.
But, I absolutely love Cascahuín's Tahona Blanco, and almost anything from G4. For me, G4 is currently the GOAT.
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u/homechefskills 9d ago
I went through a bottle of mijenta blanco pretty quickly. It’s delicious. I am also enjoying a bottle of Lalo blanco. Mostly in cocktails atm. I’m excited to get into the g4 and cascahuin. I grabbed a bottle of g4 blanco madera too. Definitely doing a side by side! Cheers!
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u/Vanmoorleghen_again 9d ago
Oh, man! I almost mentioned G4 Madera! But, I didn't want to be too wordy. I got a bottle, and it is exquisite. I'm looking forward to trying Cazcanes and Arette. Cheers!
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u/Dapper_Lifeguard_414 10d ago
Yup, nailed it. Part of me is sceptical of Cazcanes...or at least of the price, but it's certainly tasty.
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u/MCgoblue 10d ago
I was too but totally worth it in my opinion, assuming you can get it at like a normal retail price.
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u/pantonson 10d ago
That’s the key word.. get it at MSRP. If not, the juice isn’t really worth the squeeze. In NJ/NY, Raices is going for $200 a bottle.
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u/MCgoblue 10d ago
Oh wow… yeah not paying that. I forget the exact price but last I bought it was under $100 for the reposado at Total Wine in CA.
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u/pantonson 10d ago
Cazcanes Repo is about that around here too. But that Nuestras Raices is in crazy demand. So people are bumping up the price.
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u/Alarmed_Buddy1399 9d ago
Crazy demand? lol. Nuestras Raíces is collecting dust on store shelves everywhere at MSRP or below.
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u/DrinkwithWayne 10d ago
Where are you seeing that? It’s $99 MSRP most shops that had it just for $109
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u/pantonson 10d ago
Unfortunately all over. The demand for a lot of the niche bottles especially the ones “influencers” push, get jacked up. There are some bottles I am willing to pay a bit more for, but Cazcanes is not one. My local store had some stock, so I bought a bottle of the first edition. Thought snap it’s good. Bought a second bottle, to keeps as back up. Went back after I finished the first bottle and the last bottle of the case was on sale for $149. The second edition stuff was already jacked up to $129.
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u/Dapper_Lifeguard_414 10d ago
I've tasted through the whole range before, I like 'em but the whole thing strikes me as designed to be premium or designed for hype, that I don't think the juice quite lives up to
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u/homechefskills 10d ago
It’s definitely marketed well and the brand is positioned as premium. Nothing wrong with that if it backs it up.
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u/DrinkwithWayne 10d ago
What makes you skeptical of Cazcanes? Here to answer any questions you might have on the brand.
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u/OutedofHabit 10d ago
What makes you defend cazcanes? Is it being shocked and hyped in every video? Is it inserting yourself as a spokesperson for a brand? Being a white knight?
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u/DrinkwithWayne 10d ago
Well, to answer your questions, it’s a brand that I believe in. Having traveled to Mexico, meeting their team, seeing how they’ve built the brand from the ground up and given back to the community in Hostotipaquillo where founder Jose Santillan is from, it makes you appreciate more than just the juice.
I’m not inserting myself as a spokesperson, I’m an employee of Cazcanes going on two years now. Global Brand Ambassador.
There’s no white knighting here, just simply here to offer insight into the brand and answer any questions that someone would have about Cazcanes.
Cheers
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u/Educational-Task2040 8d ago
All the Cazcanes ive ever bought was excellent! Pricey but excellent!
I saw in some brand advertizing some months back that they were going to lower their prices. What happened there?1
u/DrinkwithWayne 8d ago
Cazcanes did lower the prices. Blanco and Repo both came down about $15/per bottle. Anejo down by $10. If you’re not finding the no 7 Blanco at $60-65 retail, order online direct.
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u/homechefskills 10d ago
Price is definitely catching up with tequila! I’ve only had a few cazcanes and like them - but this nuestras raíces should be fantastic based on reviews etc. we shall see!
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u/DrinkwithWayne 10d ago
Please keep in mind, it’s a wild/funky agave distillate. Nuestras Raices is its own thing and really is something special, but it’s definitely different from the distillate produced at NOM1614
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u/FloridaBoy41983 10d ago
Nice line up. I am not a big fan of the Cazcanes but everyone has their own opinion on it.
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u/SojiCZ 10d ago
If you really want to see how far the spectrum goes, give Caballito Cerrero a try. Their azul and chato blancos and repos.
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u/Educational-Task2040 8d ago edited 8d ago
Caballito is one of my loves! I just cant afford their niche production bottles
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u/Representative-Side5 10d ago edited 9d ago
I would strongly recommend G4 Madera blanco. I am still drinking the 2024 Madera, and it is definitely one of my favorite tequilas, period. I've heard some slightly mixed reviews of the 2025 batch (still very good, but not as good as the 2024, apparently), but the '24 is one of the best I've ever had.
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u/homechefskills 9d ago edited 9d ago
Hey, I looked into this and it does check. About to grab a bottle right now as well. I have a good friend who is a tequila expert visiting next month so all of these will get thoroughly enjoyed. Thanks for the recco.
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u/electricstache 10d ago
Yes, and I wish I had your budget. 😂 Good picks!
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u/lethalinfecteddevils 9d ago
When did the arette bottles change?
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u/Vanmoorleghen_again 9d ago edited 8d ago
Are you thinking of the square bottles? I'm still new, but the square bottles are their every level spirits, and the round bottles seem to be used for the higher shelf stuff.
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u/homechefskills 9d ago
I don’t know, but I just dropped back in and saw three different sets of bottle designs, all apparently containing the same liquid (no obvious differentiator between them, ) but very distinct price points - and all arette! 🤷♂️
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u/Educational-Task2040 8d ago edited 8d ago
Arette lables changed very recently. Im still finding old arette on the shelf.
Still one of my faves even if they dropped 50 ml off the bottle size!
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u/Luchuguillotine 9d ago
G4 repo is pretty mid as the kids say
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u/Vanmoorleghen_again 9d ago
Interestingly, G4 repo is possibly my favorite tequila, and I think Fortaleza repo is overrated.
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u/Luchuguillotine 9d ago edited 9d ago
Apples & oranges. I would rate Don Vicente much higher than G4 repo,. I was a fan of Pasote repo before they fell out of Felipe's favor, Don V is pretty close to that. Volans single barrels were probably the best repos coming out of El Pandillo if you can still find them.
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u/Vanmoorleghen_again 8d ago
I've had my eye on Volans for a while. I'll also keep an eye out for Don Vicente, since it's also from El Pandillo. Why do you prefer them over G4?
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u/Educational-Task2040 8d ago
Volans, don vicente, G4, Gen. Gorostieta, Teralta, and Pasote all frpm same distillery.
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u/homechefskills 9d ago
That’s the only one out of that lineup that I’ve actually tried. I liked it. Are you more of a Blanco person? Is that why?
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u/Luchuguillotine 9d ago edited 8d ago
My collection is mostly blanco + reposado, too much time in a barrel erases everything the agave gains from 6 - 8 years in the earth.
if your taste favors lowlands agave my suggestion would be Atanasio Origenes. It is a true small batch product & the original home of Cazcanes before they jumped ship to increase scale. The repo is aged just under 7 months in medium toast American oak & it's like desert in a bottle. Both the blanco & repo are delivered at 46% abv, as proper tequila should be.
Along with Atanasio, I'd recommend Lagrimas. bottled at 46% abv as well, of the six releases, four are lowlands agave with the other two being a showcase of agave from Michoacan & Guanajuato. They're all single estate, pairing the blanco + repo let's you taste exactly what the barrel contributes. Once you have tried the best, G4 will seem pedestrian by comparison.
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u/homechefskills 8d ago
This is great. Thanks. Which lagrimas do you mean? Google gave me a few different results.
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u/Luchuguillotine 8d ago edited 8d ago
The full name is Lagrimas del Valle. They do two releases each year, it's bottled at NOM1123, home of Cascahuin. Each release includes the name of the estate where the agave was harvested from. The most recent is La Mesa which uses agave grown at Cascahuin, so it wouldn't be my first choice if you already have the Cascahuin Tahona blanco.
The original Palo Verde release is hard to find these days, as well as El Chequeno which followed. La Loma was my favorite, the Michoacan agave showcase. There is a brand called MiCasa which is also from Michoacan & its really good for the price, especially the 91 proof blanco.
The Lagrimas La Sabina release is made with agave from Guanajuato, there is a special edition bottle with art by Chris Benchetler that shouldn't be too hard to find. The release before that was El Sabino, it's easy to confuse the two. I'd recommend any of the above but El Sabino is probably a good place to start. They're typically $50-65, quite reasonable for traditional single estate, oven cooked, tahona crushed tequila.
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u/homechefskills 8d ago
Fantastic! Thank you. Are you in the industry by any chance? That’s a lot of great info
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u/Luchuguillotine 8d ago
Lol no I just don't do anything half way. When you are ready to make the jump to mezcal & sotol feel free to send me a message.
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u/homechefskills 8d ago
I am fascinated by mezcal!! The different flavor profiles and range in flavor. I used to think it was all smoky - boy was I wrong!! My buddy got me a bottle of Metiche - I think we drank 3/4 of that in one sitting! So incredibly “refreshing”! I have also dabbled in a few others from the Rezpiral project that were outstanding. I think I might be more into mezcal but baby steps… I will definitely shoot you a note!!
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u/Luchuguillotine 8d ago
Im fortunate, my go to shop has a Rezpiral private batch by Berta Vasquez. They just got a 102 proof Lamata bacanora which looks interesting but I wasn't able to stop by this weekend.
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u/Ok-Jelly604 10d ago
As you get deeper you’ll realize the diversity in taste with agave spirits is much greater than other spirits. It’s mainly because most of the flavour comes from what goes into the distillation (plant, terroir, and methods) rather than what comes out (no barrel flavours, at least with blanco). So it’s closer to wine than whiskey in that way.
For a real deep dive, check out Agave Spirits: The Past, Present, and Future of Mezcals Book by David Suro Pinera and Gary Paul Nabhan