This is the first tequila that the Cuervo family produced back in 1795. It is made from 100% agave, matured in oak casks and is a reposado (has been aged for somewhere between 2 months and 1 year). Each bottle has been hand crafted and marked with the year it was bottled. The bottles are slightly smaller than usual (500ml rather than 700ml) but are very easy to work with and look quite smart. One thing I noticed is that it is bottled in an identical bottle to at least 4 other types of tequila - ocho and tapatio to name but two.
-Tequila-
All tequila is distilled in and around a town called tequila in Jalisco, a Mexican state and in the highlands of Jalisco. Tequila is made by distilling the sugars of a plant called the Blue Agave. Often tequilas are distilled with other sugars too (up to 49% other sugars) and are generally poorer quality. A single agave plant takes approximately 8 years to mature and grow to a reasonable size. The agave is a member of the lily family but looks mighty similar to a pineapple.
Tequila is bottled in five different categories;
-oro (gold) which is unaged tequila that often has colourings and flavourings that resemble an aged tequila -blanco (white) or plata (silver) are unaged white spirit -reposado (rested) is aged for a minimum or two months and a maximum of 1 year -anejo (aged) is aged between one and three years -extra anejo (extra aged) is a minimum of three years old
Whenever the agave plant has reached the desired size the bulbous, pineapple looking part is remove, cut into pieces and steam cooked under pressure to turn the starch into sugars. The remaining pulp is then crushed to extract all the juices and then fermented. Once fermented the product is distilled (usually in a pot still, sometimes in a column still) usually two or three times and eventually transferred to oak barrels for aging.
--Tasting Notes--
-Colour-
Light straw hue. When looking at the colour of a drink hold a white piece of paper behind the glass and have a light on in the background. I always find that the names for the colours that people come up with are quite ridiculous! A favourite name we came up with when tasting a Whisky was "smokers finger".
-Nose-
When nosing I pick up on agave, subtle oaky tones, light peppery smell and an herby aroma. Agave is a given really, considering it is the main ingredient in tequila production. The oaky fragrance is down to the barrels in which the tequila is aged and the herby/peppery smell is usually one of the first things people pick up on during tasting sessions. Overall though, a nice, well rounded nose.
A good tip for when nosing drinks is to smell the back of your hand when changing between drinks. This action cleanses the palette ensuring that there is little residual smell from the previous spirit or otherwise in your nose.
-Taste-
The taste is very similar to the nose with this tequila. I get agave, a little oak, some herby flavours and then finishes on a warm, peppery note. This tequila is outrageously smooth and slips down very easily. I found that an excellent accompaniment to a shot of Jose Cuervo Tradicional is a nice wedge of pineapple. Try it!
It's always worth trying the spirit with a little water as you will find that it releases a whole different bouquet and new set of flavours.
--Cocktails--
-Kill Bill (Twist on the classic cocktail Old Fashioned)-
2 Measures Jose Cuervo Tradicional Gomme sugar Peach bitters Freshly Pressed Pineapple Juice
Put a few ice cubes in a rocks glass with a few drops of bitters, the first measure of Jose Cuervo Tradicional and some sugar syrup. Stir with a bar spoon. As you are stirring gradually add ice cubes, one after another, ensuring the glass stays cold and that the spirit is continually moving. Add the second measure of Jose Cuervo Tradicional, some more ice and, if needed, a little more sugar. Stir as before and when the glass is full of ice - providing you are happy with the flavour - add a very small amount of the pineapple juice to round off the flavour. You should taste how sweet your pineapple is before you add the juice because if it is very sweet then you won't need to stir in as much sugar syrup. Garnish with a nice wedge of pineapple.
-Margarita-
2 Measures Jose Cuervo Tradicional 1 Measure Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice 1 Measure Triple Sec (Cointreau for example)
Throw everything into a cocktail shaker, salt the rim of a margarita glass (ideally with flaked salt), shake your margarita with plenty of ice for around 6-8 seconds, double strain into the glass and garnish with a lime wheel and orange twist. If you find this recipe too tart (too sour/limey) then add a very small amount of sugar syrup to the ingredients at the start.
-Price-
Jose Cuervo Tradicional is available from any good off license at around the £15 mark. I picked up my bottle from Peckhams (This is for a 500ml bottle). It is available in most decent bars too, although you probably won't see it in your local pub!
-Personal Opinion-
This is most definitely my favourite house or mixing bourbon on the market. This is primarily down to it's great flavour and versatility. If you like doing shots of tequila then you will find that you won't need the classic accompaniments of lime wedge and salt as it is so smooth. Equally, this is an excellent sipping tequila. For those of you who enjoy making a cocktail from time to time then Jose Cuervo Tradicional is absolutely ideal.
Although it doesn't really compare with the premium tequila market such as Jose Cuervo Familia, Patron Platinum, Corralejo and the like it is a huge improvement on the horrific tequila we are used to drinking shots of. Have a taste one day and decide for yourself!
John
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