Tequila

Tequila Silver - Blanco - Plata - White - Platinum

This is the Blue Agave spirit in its purest form. It is clear and typically un-aged, where the true flavors and the intensity of the Agave are present, as well as the natural sweetness. It can be bottled directly after distillation, or stored in stainless steel tanks to settle for up to 4 weeks. There are some Blanco products that are aged for up to 2 months to provide a smoother or "Suave" spirit.

Tequila Gold - Joven - Oro

Gold Tequila is typically a Mixto, where colorants and flavorings have been added prior to bottling. These "young and adulterated" Tequilas are less expensive and used in many bars and restaurants for "mixed drinks".

There are exceptions however, as a "Gold" or "Joven" Tequila can also be the result of blending a Silver Tequila with a Reposado and/or Añejo Tequila, while keeping the 100% Agave classification.

Tequila Reposado (Rested/Aged)

A Reposado Tequila is the first stage of "rested and aged". The Tequila is aged in wood barrels or storage tanks between 2 months and 11 months. The spirit takes on a golden hue and the taste becomes a good balance between the Agave and wood flavors. Many different types of wood barrels are used for aging, with the most common being American or French oak. Some Tequilas are aged in used bourbon / whiskey, cognac, or wine barrels, and will inherit unique flavors from the previous spirit.

Tequila Añejo (Aged/Extra Aged)

After aging for at least one year, Tequila can then be classified as an "Añejo". The distillers are required to age Añejo Tequila in barrels that do not exceed 600 liters. This aging process darkens the Tequila to an Amber color, and the flavor can become smoother, richer, and more complex.

Tequila Extra Añejo (Ultra Aged)

A new classification added in the summer of 2006, labeling any Tequila aged more than 3 years, an "Extra Añejo". Following the same rule as an "Añejo", the distillers must age the spirit in barrels or containers with a maximum capacity of 600 liters. With this extended amount of aging, the Tequila becomes much darker, more of a Mahogany color, and is so rich that it becomes difficult to distinguish it from other quality aged spirits. After the aging process, the alcohol content must be diluted by adding distilled water. These Extra Añejo’s are extremely smooth and complex.

El Jimador Blanco

Tequila Herradura (officially Grupo Industrial Herradura) is a tequila distiller located in Amatitán, Jalisco, Mexico. It was formally founded in 1870 by Félix López and the business remained in the family for over 125 years. Today it is owned by US beverage maker Brown-Forman, but the tequila is still made in the same place and facilities under a Mexican subsidiary.

The scent is almost like an infused vodka, zingy, bright, citrusy and sweet. Sweet flavor, with hits of lemon and pepper on the finish. Smooth, soft feel, and definitely Margarita material.

Aroma: Slight fruit (raisin), tree fruit (cherry), and slight agave.

Initial Taste: A semi oily mouth feel, its sweet upon entry with very low bitterness. Initial taste was cherry.

Body: Agave, fruit, slight earth, and slight spices.

Finish: A sweet semi heated finish of medium duration with a lingering of tree fruit.

Trianon Blanco

Trianon Blanco is categorized as a Blanco. Type is determined by age. Blanco ("white") or Plata ("silver") is a white, un-aged spirit. Trianon is distilled in Amatitán, Mexico and distributed out of Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Aroma: Cooked agave with some earth and some very faint vegetal notes and a hint of mint. Very natural smelling and not overly sweet.

Initial Taste: A lightly sweet entry with nice agave flavors and the light mint.

Body: Thin bodied on the palate. The vegetal notes are stronger than the earthy ones detected in the nose. The agave is still present and a peppery note sneaks in. Lots of flavors despite the light mouth feel.

Finish: A decent linger of the vegetal agave with mint and light peppery agave punch. A pleasant finish that last for a good while.

Trianon Reposado

Trianon Reposado is categorized as a Reposado. Type is determined by age, and this spirit is aged for 6 months. Generally, Reposado ("rested") tequilas are aged in wooden barrels between two and twelve months. A wide variety of barrels are used for aging, from French Oak to Whiskey barrels. The type of barrel will have a significant impact on the subtle flavors of the product.

The nose has a little bit of caramel and oak, but as with the blanco, I get some sourness. Initial taste is more caramel and oak - fairly sweet. The sourness fades, but it's still a little tart. Body is light-to-medium, but no coating or oiliness to speak of. The finish is smoother than the blanco, but rather muted - caramel and raw agave stick around.

Trianon Anejo

Trianon Añejo is categorized as an Anejo. Type is determined by age, and this spirit is aged for 18 months. Generally, Añejo ("aged" or "vintage") tequilas are aged from one to three years in small oak barrels. This aging darkens the spirit to an amber color and creates a smoother more complex flavor.

The Anejo definitely has the best nose of the three with caramel and slight oak. The taste has continuing caramel from the nose, and some cooked agave, with maybe a hint of fruitiness. Body is light and fairly thin. The finish is smooth...really too smooth with nothing to remark on other than continued caramel sweetness.