For those of a certain age, especially in the United States, knowledge and appreciation of Tequila is pretty much confined to shot glasses, Sunrises and Margaritas, and that afterthought of an instrumental from the 1950s by The Champs entitled “Tequila,” of course. The subject is far more interesting than a catchy tune and a couple of captivating cocktails. If the title of a book can be believed, the story of this drink includes quite a bit of drama; Ted Genoway’s Tequila Wars: Jose Cuervo and the Bloody Struggle for the Spirit of Mexico sounds like heady stuff to me, like the beverage under consideration. You may have noticed from the title that it can be inferred that Jose Cuervo was a real person, which indeed he was. Jose was flesh and blood, unlike that well-known icon to the north Betty Crocker, who was conjured up by businesswoman Marjorie Child Husted (1892-1986) and brought into a two-dimensional world by artist Neysa McMein (1888-1949).
Galindo is a family-run company that produces styles of Tequila that would make Jose proud. I tasted three of their output: a Blanco, a Reposado, and an Añejo. Sensory evaluations follow.
Sensory Evaluation, Blanco: This is unaged Tequila, clear with a vegetal and slightly smokey aroma. On the palate, there is a burst of sweetness followed by blue agave notes. It has a medium (+) finish and 35% ABV. Intended for cocktails but great straight, too.
Sensory Evaluation, Reposado: Darker than Blanco; lighter than Añejo, with the same ABV as the other two. A pleasant halfway destination between Blanco and Añejo. Some vegetal notes on the nose, establishing an affinity with the Blanco and a hint of spice from the oak, causing it to shake hands with the other member of the “family,” Añejo.
Sensory Evaluation, Añejo: Aged 18 months in oak. Aroma: vanilla and spice, maybe cinnamon. There is less overt sweetness on the palate as there is with Blanco. Medium (+) finish and 35% ABV. General Comments: When you reach this level of quality in the Tequila business, it is difficult to differentiate your product from Scotch—sombrero meets kilt?
Another Afterthought: I wonder if Betty Crocker has a favorite fictitious drink.
