THE WORLD OF TEQUILA
Tequila is a small region of the Western Mexican State, Jalisco
The brand "tequila" is controlled by the Mexican government. Anybody interested in its production must comply with strict regulations set forth by the Secretary of Economy who has delegated authority upon the Tequila Regulatory Council. The Council oversees every aspect of production, from agave cultivation to bottling and labelling.
When the Spaniards arrived in Mexico in the 16th Century, the Conquistadors brought the process of distillation with them. The people of Tequila knew that the blue agave contained fermentable sugars that would produce a very distinctive taste. And hence, tequila the spirit was created.
In the 90's it became fashionable to sip tequila and production soared as new brands were introduced to a growing and discriminating market.
ELIXIR DE AGAVE – 100% Blue Agave
Elixir de Agave is a magnificent drinking experience that balances subtle flavours of caramel, soft vanilla, oak and agave spices. It possesses a great body with a sweet and seductive bouquet and lingering finish.
El Capricho Meduso 37.0% 8
DISTILLATION: Double Distilled ORIGIN: Tepatitlan, Jalisco, Mexico
DISTILLERY OWNED BY: Tequilas de la Doña
RATING: AGED FOR: 6 months in American white oak
El "Maduso" is made from 100% Pure Agave and aged for at least 6 months in French white oak barrels. It has an amber gold colour and combines the natural sweet and spicy flavours of the Agave plant with a slight caramel finish.
SILVER/WHITE/BLANCO – Aged up to 40 days
White tequila can be aged up to 59 days. This has a much more pure flavour of agave and doesn’t show excessive amounts of vanilla and oak from the ageing. This is recommended with salsa, as the cleanliness of the tequila works well with the spice and flavour of the chilli – ask our staff about trying this.
Herradura Silver 37.0% 9
DISTILLATION: Copper Pot Double Distilled ORIGIN: Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
DISTILLERY OWNED BY: Casa Herradura
RATING: AGED FOR: 40 days in American white oak
Herradura Silver receives 40 days in oak before bottling, making for an exceptionally smooth spirit that does not hide the agave fruit. Earth and pepper notes with a bit of citrus character. A clean, dry tequila with spearmint in its crispness. Yet, it is sweet and finishes with a light flush of menthol.
Don Julio Silver 37.0% 10
DISTILLATION: Double Distilled ORIGIN: Highlands, Jalisco, Mexico
DISTILLERY OWNED BY: Diageo Group, USA
RATING: AGED FOR: 40 days in American white oak
Clear. Robust green pepper, vanilla bean, and sweet agave aromas. A delicate entry leads to a very plush medium-to full-bodied palate with smoked peppers, peppery spice, green olive, and grilled pineapple husk flavors. Finishes with a nicely balanced peppery agave and herb fade. Classy, clean, and elegant with a great balance of refined flavors.
Patron Silver 37.0% 11
DISTILLATION: Double Distilled ORIGIN: Jalisco, Mexico
DISTILLERY OWNED BY: Patron Spirit Company
RATING: AGED FOR: 20 days in American white oak
Recommended on ice with fresh lime. This premium white rum is a unique blend of triple distilled, hand-crafted spirits, joined in a special process and filtered and refined to create a delicate balance. Very delicate and light on the nose with hints of gardenia. Great flavours on the palate with depth and character.
REPOSADO – Aged between 40 days and 12 months
Tequila is aged in wooden tanks or casks for a legal minimum period of at least two months, with the better-quality brands spending three to nine months in wood.
Jose Cuervo 1800 Reposado 37.0% 10
DISTILLATION: Double Distilled ORIGIN: Highlands, Jalisco, Mexico
DISTILLERY OWNED BY: Agavera Camishines
RATING: AGED FOR: 6 months in American white oak
Recommended neat in a wine tasting glass. The 1800 Reposado has a beautiful honey brown amber colour with an aroma of butterscotch, vanilla and toasted coconut. It is an exceptionally smooth and well rounded tequila. On the palate it is firstly sweet, then dry with a complex finish.
Patron Reposado 37.0% 14
DISTILLATION: Double Distilled ORIGIN: Jalisco, Mexico
DISTILLERY OWNED BY: Patron Spirit Company
RATING: AGED FOR: 6 months in American white oak
Recommended neat in a wine tasting glass. The subtle flavours of the oak work well with the notes of cooked agave. This is
ANEJO – Aged between 12 months and 3 years
Aged in wooden barrels (usually old Bourbon barrels) for a minimum of 12 months. The best-quality anejos are aged 18 months to three years for mixtos, and up to four years for 100% agaves. Aging Tequila for more than four years is a matter of controversy. Most Tequila producers oppose doing so because they feel that "excessive" oak aging will overwhelm the distinctive earthy and vegetal agave flavor notes.
Jose Cuervo 1800 Anejo 37.0% 11
DISTILLATION: Double Distilled ORIGIN: Highlands, Jalisco, Mexico
DISTILLERY OWNED BY: Agavera Camishines
RATING: AGED FOR: up to 3 years in American Oak
Recommended neat in a wine tasting glass. Has a beautiful colour of dark amber with copper highlights. The aroma shows oak driven agave with hints of caramel and vanilla; spicy notes with marzipan and orange peel. The palate shows a very rich, smooth and well rounded agave taste. Finishing pleasantly spicy with a long rounded finish.
Herradura Anejo 37.0% 12
DISTILLATION: Copper Pot Double Distilled ORIGIN: Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
DISTILLERY OWNED BY: Casa Herradura
RATING: AGED FOR: 2 years in American white Oak
Recommended neat in a wine tasting glass. The aroma of fresh herbs with rich flavors of pepper, nutmeg and oak and its extreme smoothness make this one of the best of all tequilas.
Don Julio Anejo 37.0% 14
DISTILLATION: Double Distilled ORIGIN: Tepatitlan, Jalisco, Mexico
DISTILLERY OWNED BY: Tequilas de la Doña
RATING: AGED FOR: 2 years in American white Oak
Recommended neat in a wine tasting glass. Rich golden color. Sweet creamy vanilla, melted butter, and brown spice aromas. A round silky entry leads to a dry-yet-fruity full-bodied palate with sweet tropical fruits, rich brown spices, buttered nuts, and tasty rum and bourbon barrel notes. Finishes with a long spicy caramelized nut and wood fade.
Patron Anejo 37.0% 16
DISTILLATION: Double Distilled ORIGIN: Jalisco, Mexico
DISTILLERY OWNED BY: Patron Spirit Company
RATING: AGED: Aged 18 months in American Oak
Recommended neat in a wine tasting glass. Excellent colour, rich and amber. A beautiful aroma of grapefruit orange and mint with a beautiful smooth subtle taste. Shows great complexity and character. Good cooked agave flavours.
MADURO – Aged a minimum of 3 years
These are some of the finest tequila’s in the world. 100% pure blue agave and aged for over 3 years, this is how tequila should taste. Rich and complex in flavour with spice and oaky flavours. These tequila’s should be appreciated like a fine or rare Cognac or Armagnac.
Don Julio 1942 37.0% 42
DISTILLATION: Double Distilled ORIGIN: Tepatitlan, Jalisco, Mexico
DISTILLERY OWNED BY: Tequilas de la Doña
RATING: AGED FOR: over 3 years in American white oak
A RARE OPPORTUNITY. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. One of the most amazing tequilas in the world. This is a rare opportunity to try a product that many tequila lovers would never have the chance to try. This is not available in any other bar in Melbourne and only 1 other bar in Australia.
Jose Cuervo Reserva de Familia 37.0% 24
DISTILLATION: Double Distilled ORIGIN: Highlands, Jalisco, Mexico
DISTILLERY OWNED BY: Agavera Camishines
RATING: AGED FOR: over 3 years in American Oak
Recommended neat in a wine tasting glass. Brilliant copper color. Sweet, robust aromas of vanilla, toasted coconut, dried fruit, roasted nuts, and leather. A soft, supple entry leads to a smooth medium-to full-bodied palate with rich spice, toffee, nuts, caramelized agave, and pepper flavors. Finishes with a long fade of pure chocolate, toasty oak, brown spices, dried fruit, and agave flavors. A complete tequila with great balance, effortless grace, and brooding power.