Sipping Tequila: San Sebastian del Oeste

 From December 2021

Blue Agave

 

Julia's sister lives close to the Bourbon Trail in Kentucky, so we have "hiked" that trail on numerous occasions during annual visits to see family. When I drink good bourbon, I like to have it with some ice to open up its flavors.  I also like a Manhattan or Old-fashioned made with bourbon.

I've had shots of tequila that I choked down, and I've had some margaritas made with tequila that taste pretty darn good.  In college, we drank something called a Brave Bull, made with tequila and kahlua.  But I've never enjoyed tequila on the rocks or straight up.  

I've heard of sipping tequila, but I had yet to be convinced that there was such a thing.  On the excursion to San Sebastian, we stopped at a blue agave farm and tequila distillery.  All of the tequila made here is sold on-site and made from pure blue agave. You can't buy this tequila at any liquor store.  You have to buy it here, and it sells out every year.

When I first stepped into the distillery, it was like walking into the 19th Century.  This is a very basic, primitive operation.  No glitzy powerpoint or shiny copper.  This family-owned operation has been making tequila this way for many generations.

agave mash

 

the still

Through the tour, the distillery employee reminded us that this tequila is not made for shots or margaritas.  "Go buy Jose Cuervo, if you want that," he scoffed.  "Our tequila is made to be sipped in small quantities and enjoyed on its own."  

I was thinking, "yeah, right.  Good marketing."  Then he brought out their Tequila Blanco, their least expensive and least-aged tequila.  It was still about $40/bottle.  Hmm, pretty good.  Better than any tequila that I've had before.  

 Next, he brought out two more bottles, the reposado and the viejo.

 

The reposado is aged for about a year in oak barrels and was about $60.  "That's some serious cash," I thought.  Then I sipped it and understood why.   It was so smooth and flavorful that I didn't want to add any ice or water or mixer or anything to it.  This tequila shone on its own.  

I could tell you that the $80 viejo (aged) tequila was even better, but I would be lying.  It was good, but it burned a little (higher alcohol content) and wasn't my favorite.  

We bought a bottle of the reposado and still have most of it in the liquor cabinet.  Every once in awhile, we pour a small sip to remind ourselves of the good times that we had in Puerto Vallarta.