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Quoted: Yeah, IMO any tequila that uses additives isn't real tequila (which is the vast majority of them). They're real compared to mixto, but they're really akin to drinking flavored whiskey. You ain't getting an authentic experience. But I'm a purist. I didn't even know what I didn't know until I had my first bottle of El Tesoro. Then WOAFP showed me the way. Got me into mezcals too. Tequila Matchmaker is a great resource. You can see which distillery makes it, cooking method, fermentation method, crushing method, distilling equipment, and they have a program by which to validate that a tequila is additive-free (they get a little badge on the product page). View Quote Walking the same path as this guy. To find Fortaleza, it's just like rare bourbon -- get to know the guy at your local store. Better yet, get to know guys at a few local stores. Offer to let them try the rare stuff they then may sell you. Worse case, you make some new friends. Right now, be on the look out for G4 Blanco Fermentada Madera. It has just hit distributors in MD, so probably northeast in general. Stuff is phenomenal. Second batch made, first batch was only 10K bottles worldwide. Good Hunting! |
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I like tequila. I like el jimador and hornitos. Cheap, tastes good, 100% agave. Hornitos is smoother if that matters to you.
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View Quote Attached File They were actually going to introduce that brand in real life, but didn't because, in the show, it poisoned people. They figured that would be a marketing nightmare. Oh well, it would probably be an additive bomb anyway. |
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Quoted: Walking the same path as this guy. To find Fortaleza, it's just like rare bourbon -- get to know the guy at your local store. Better yet, get to know guys at a few local stores. Offer to let them try the rare stuff they then may sell you. Worse case, you make some new friends. Right now, be on the look out for G4 Blanco Fermentada Madera. It has just hit distributors in MD, so probably northeast in general. Stuff is phenomenal. Second batch made, first batch was only 10K bottles worldwide. Good Hunting! View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: Yeah, IMO any tequila that uses additives isn't real tequila (which is the vast majority of them). They're real compared to mixto, but they're really akin to drinking flavored whiskey. You ain't getting an authentic experience. But I'm a purist. I didn't even know what I didn't know until I had my first bottle of El Tesoro. Then WOAFP showed me the way. Got me into mezcals too. Tequila Matchmaker is a great resource. You can see which distillery makes it, cooking method, fermentation method, crushing method, distilling equipment, and they have a program by which to validate that a tequila is additive-free (they get a little badge on the product page). Walking the same path as this guy. To find Fortaleza, it's just like rare bourbon -- get to know the guy at your local store. Better yet, get to know guys at a few local stores. Offer to let them try the rare stuff they then may sell you. Worse case, you make some new friends. Right now, be on the look out for G4 Blanco Fermentada Madera. It has just hit distributors in MD, so probably northeast in general. Stuff is phenomenal. Second batch made, first batch was only 10K bottles worldwide. Good Hunting! Yeah, I stocked up on Fortaleza a couple years ago, when it started becoming unobtainium. Got a couple at Binny's, ordered some online too. Found G4 reposado single barrel at Woodman's too. Think I bought 3 or 4 bottles, never got around to trying it. But I don't drink anymore so, unless the nukes fly, I'll never have that sweet nectar touch my palate again. That was honestly the hardest part of quiting, accepting that. I love a good tequila. Just flavors you can't get anywhere else. Oh well. Ain't worth fucking up my life. |
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Quoted: El Tesoro and Tequila Ocho are made by the same guy and are both very good, additive free, and truly "sipping" tequilas. Lalo is good for mixed drinks as is La Gritona and siete leguas Quoted: Another vote for El Tesoro and Tequila Ocho. That's about what I'm able to get in PA that isn't just overhyped celebrity marketing swill. View Quote |
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Quoted: That he would. I stickied the agave thread so he had a place to share his knowledge. It's still there..... View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: It's a shame WOAFP is no longer with us. He'd fucking own this thread. That he would. I stickied the agave thread so he had a place to share his knowledge. It's still there..... I miss you guys over there. But I just can't imbibe any more. |
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Quoted: Not high end, at least price wise, but I like 1800 Reposado. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/227730/IMG_1382_jpeg-2970532.JPG Someone tell me what’s wrong with it. I’ve had Patron and like it, but 1800 is significantly cheaper. View Quote If you like it, then nothing is wrong with it. Trust Your Taste. Don't Apologize For It. (but do keep an ear open if something might be better.) The geeks are just talking about other beverages you may like, or not. If not? Go you. Your wallet will certainly be happier. I'm not kidding, by the way. No one here can or should tell you what you like more than something else. |
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Quoted: Huge difference in price between those two View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: El Tesoro and Tequila Ocho are made by the same guy and are both very good, additive free, and truly "sipping" tequilas. Lalo is good for mixed drinks as is La Gritona and siete leguas Quoted: Another vote for El Tesoro and Tequila Ocho. That's about what I'm able to get in PA that isn't just overhyped celebrity marketing swill. El Tesoro used to be more affordable. Blanco could be had for $35, $40 repo, and $50 añejo. The Bacardi (who owned the brand) said "we charge top dollar for Cincoro and it is crap compared to El Tesoro. We should upcharge El Tesoro." Like, literally, that is what they did |
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Quoted: It's not on the additive-free list I printed. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: Herradera. …Drinkable and doesn’t rip your wallet off your ass. It's not on the additive-free list I printed. Seriously, check out Tequila Matchmaker if you haven't already. |
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Quoted: El Tesoro and Tequila Ocho are made by the same guy and are both very good, additive free, and truly “sipping” tequilas. Lalo is good for mixed drinks as is La Gritona and siete leguas Start with blancos IMO and branch out into the anejo/reposado once you find what characteristics you like. Very good thread in the wine cellar section with lots of options/feedback on tequilas View Quote I wouldn’t waste Siete Leguas on mixed drinks, it is in the same league as Ocho and Tesoro, and is a legit Mexican tequila that you can buy in Mexico. You won’t find Ocho or Tesoro in Mx. It’s marketing tequila made for the US market and won’t be around for more than a few years. Siete Leguas has been around for a loong time. |
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Quoted: My favorite it Tapatio Blanco. It is a great sipper, but won't break the bank allowing its use as a mixer as well. It's made by the same folks who make El Tesoro, which is also fantastic. Edit: I see that you can't get Tapatio, so get the El Tesoro instead. View Quote Tapatio is the best kept secret. Friends of mine from Arandas smuggled in something like 240 bottles of it for Christmas parties a few yeas ago. |
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21 Seeds makes some really good infused tequilas.
Their cucumber/ jalapeño tequila makes for one mean margarita! https://www.21seeds.com/infused-tequila |
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Quoted: I wouldn’t waste Siete Leguas on mixed drinks, it is in the same league as Ocho and Tesoro, and is a legit Mexican tequila that you can buy in Mexico. You won’t find Ocho or Tesoro in Mx. It’s marketing tequila made for the US market and won’t be around for more than a few years. Siete Leguas has been around for a loong time. View Quote This. Fortaleza as well. Iirc it's called Los Abeulos in Mexico. They've been around a while. And literally in Tequila. Ocho has been around over a decade, going on 2. I even have a 2011 El Puertecito bottling. Tesoro has been around a while too. |
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The Hombre has a very good show on tequila and gives great reviews / recommendations.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dgiZXnlfy2E |
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Quoted: In PA they're within $3 of each other, interchangeable to me price wise. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: Huge difference in price between those two In PA they're within $3 of each other, interchangeable to me price wise. |
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Quoted: Odd - in NH the Ocho is $48 and the El Tesoro is $180 for 750ml View Quote Not even remotely the case in TX. The single barrel blanco for El Tesoro is 55-60 and the regular blanco is 45-50, same price as the Ocho. Below was my favorite Ocho offering. Attached File |
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Quoted: At $180 its either a huge mistake or some special aged anejo. Regular Blanco seems to run around $50. Even in PA the single barrel reposados are only like $65. View Quote https://www.liquorandwineoutlets.com/product-detail/64-El-Tesoro-de-Don-Felipe-5-Year-Old-Paradiso-Gold-Extra-A%C3%B1ejo-Tequila-100-Puro-de-Agave |
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Quoted: This is the only El Tesoro the NH liquor store system carries: https://www.liquorandwineoutlets.com/product-detail/64-El-Tesoro-de-Don-Felipe-5-Year-Old-Paradiso-Gold-Extra-A%C3%B1ejo-Tequila-100-Puro-de-Agave View Quote That's a high end aged one from El Tesoro, and that's about the price point for it now. Around me, El Tesoro Blanco is about the same price as Ocho Blanco, roughly $50. I prefer Tesoro over Ocho, but I have a bottle of Ocho sitting on my bar right now. |
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Quoted: Used to love sipping on rum. Since discovering whiskey I've not had the craving. What's different about the Black barrel compared to their other bottle? Thanks View Quote It's a blend of two types of aged rum (double-pot and column) that is aged again after blending in charred oak barrels. It's rich and aromatic. |
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The better Tequilas I like which won't bite you too hard in the wallet are:
Chinaco Añejo and Olmeca Añejo These are the best price performance Tequilas I've found. You can finish a bottle in an evening with a buddy or three and not feel any regrets the next morning. The Chinaco is as smooth as a shot glass of warm water. |
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Quoted: Not even remotely the case in TX. The single barrel blanco for El Tesoro is 55-60 and the regular blanco is 45-50, same price as the Ocho. Below was my favorite Ocho offering. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/158588/IMG_2776_jpeg-2971202.JPG View Quote Don't dirty up that delicious tequila with syrup and lime juice. |
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Kirkland, has additives and is in a liter bottle.
For $39 it’s the best you can get. Most people can’t tell the difference. |
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Quoted: The cool thing about Ocho is that they harvest a different plantation every year. Actually, I think they do 2 per year. Each estate with its own terroir influences the flavors you get in the tequila. So no 2 estate bottlings taste exactly the same. Makes it real fun to collect. Example. Look at the blue bottom label. 2016 Los Patos, 2017 Las Aguilas, and 2017 Los Nopales. The Los Nopales was my favorite if the 3. https://i.ibb.co/8s8nPR1/20200920-152531.jpg 2011 El Puertecito. Fucking phenomenal! https://i.ibb.co/Yj2mJPn/20200927-143447.jpg All 3 expressions from the same estate . https://i.ibb.co/fFyjmmQ/20201026-110344.jpg View Quote You really built up a great collection. I went through a phase where I was trying a bunch of different blancos to see what I liked and didn't. I have made it through most of them, but still have a few that I haven't tried yet. I'm working through some of my blancos so that I have fewer bottles on the shelf. For whatever reason, Ocho doesn't stand out to me. I like it and appreciate that it's a well made tequila, but there are others at a similar price point that I prefer. Maybe I need to try some from different estates and see if I can pick up the differences. |
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Do you want true additive free tequila or one that meets the definition of tequila?
Additive free tequila at a surprisingly affordable price is Tequila Ocho. Smooth sipping with no hang overs. Siete Leguas is also up there. Still trying to find a fortaleza bottle but those are gone within an hour when they hit the shelves. For party tequilas that ladies love, hard to beat Clase Azul. They love the bottle and the sweeter taste of of it. |
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Quoted: Yeah, some are better than others. Los Patos was my least favorite, but I still liked it. But the others blew it out if the water. Yeah, one of my local Binny's had an employee who was real into tequila. He made sure they got ALL the good stuff. https://i.ibb.co/TvGhrq3/20210822-133835.jpg https://i.ibb.co/GPzCjLM/20210822-133841.jpg https://i.ibb.co/mrncmyq/20210822-133907.jpg https://i.ibb.co/F39bPWh/20210822-133922.jpg This was 3 years ago though.... View Quote PA doesn't even sell Forteleza. I'm wondering if anywhere near the Jersey border by me does. We usually just go to Nortons in Pburg. Seems like this stuff is black market material from how rare it is. |
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Greetings friend! I am in PA as well, most of my tequila collection is purchased in NY or NJ. I have ~40 open bottles at the moment: 12 blanco, 12 repo, 6 anejo, and 8 mezcal.
The only good tequila you will find on the shelf at the PA state stores is Tequila Ocho & El Tesoro. That's it, that's all, and most stores won't have both. For mixing, Espolon & Olmeca Altos are OK but not if you enjoy sipping neat. Save those for guests & enjoy the El Tesoro / Ocho yourself. I am right outside of Philly if you ever want to take a ride into NJ, I am happy to help you score some better bottles. Quoted: You won’t find Ocho or Tesoro in Mx. It’s marketing tequila made for the US market and won’t be around for more than a few years. Siete Leguas has been around for a loong time. View Quote lol I have brought Ocho back from MX, & saying El Tesoro won't be around for more than a few years must be a joke? The distillery has over 85 years of history & distribution by Beam Suntory. Yes Siete Leguas made Patron before they had their own distillery & just celebrated their 70th anniversary, La Altena has been doing it longer & I have seen El Tesoro bottles from 2013 or earlier. Quoted: The Hombre has a very good show on tequila and gives great reviews / recommendations. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dgiZXnlfy2E View Quote unfortunately Mark is a shill, with extreme bias towards distilleries he partnered with for his online shop. defiitely knowledgeable but take his recommendations with a grain of salt. Quoted: Try Teramana,its just as good and half the price. View Quote no really, it's garbage. absolutely artificial flavor & color. It's like saying Fireball is great whiskey. it's cheap & stores sell a lot of it, this is by no means the measure of quality product. |
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Quoted: PA doesn't even sell Forteleza. I'm wondering if anywhere near the Jersey border by me does. We usually just go to Nortons in Pburg. Seems like this stuff is black market material from how rare it is. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: Yeah, some are better than others. Los Patos was my least favorite, but I still liked it. But the others blew it out if the water. Yeah, one of my local Binny's had an employee who was real into tequila. He made sure they got ALL the good stuff. https://i.ibb.co/TvGhrq3/20210822-133835.jpg https://i.ibb.co/GPzCjLM/20210822-133841.jpg https://i.ibb.co/mrncmyq/20210822-133907.jpg https://i.ibb.co/F39bPWh/20210822-133922.jpg This was 3 years ago though.... PA doesn't even sell Forteleza. I'm wondering if anywhere near the Jersey border by me does. We usually just go to Nortons in Pburg. Seems like this stuff is black market material from how rare it is. Maybe you could have some delivered? See if any online liquor stores will shit to PA. |
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Quoted: Greetings friend! I am in PA as well, most of my tequila collection is purchased in NY or NJ. I have ~40 open bottles at the moment: 12 blanco, 12 repo, 6 anejo, and 8 mezcal. The only good tequila you will find on the shelf at the PA state stores is Tequila Ocho & El Tesoro. That's it, that's all, and most stores won't have both. For mixing, Espolon & Olmeca Altos are OK but not if you enjoy sipping neat. Save those for guests & enjoy the El Tesoro / Ocho yourself. I am right outside of Philly if you ever want to take a ride into NJ, I am happy to help you score some better bottles. lol I have brought Ocho back from MX, & saying El Tesoro won't be around for more than a few years must be a joke? The distillery has over 85 years of history & distribution by Beam Suntory. Yes Siete Leguas made Patron before they had their own distillery & just celebrated their 70th anniversary, La Altena has been doing it longer & I have seen El Tesoro bottles from 2013 or earlier. unfortunately Mark is a shill, with extreme bias towards distilleries he partnered with for his online shop. extremely knowledgeable but take his recommendations with a grain of salt. no really, it's garbage. absolutely artificial flavor & color. It's like saying Fireball is great whiskey. it's cheap & stores sell a lot of it, this is by no means the measure of quality product. View Quote I like this guy. |
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The cool thing about tequila is you don't have to spend a lot of money to get a really good bottle. Like $30-40, there are a lot of really good additive free tequilas in that price range. Hell there's a lot of them in the $20s.
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Quoted: Greetings friend! I am in PA as well, most of my tequila collection is purchased in NY or NJ. I have ~40 open bottles at the moment: 12 blanco, 12 repo, 6 anejo, and 8 mezcal. The only good tequila you will find on the shelf at the PA state stores is Tequila Ocho & El Tesoro. That's it, that's all, and most stores won't have both. For mixing, Espolon & Olmeca Altos are OK but not if you enjoy sipping neat. Save those for guests & enjoy the El Tesoro / Ocho yourself. I am right outside of Philly if you ever want to take a ride into NJ, I am happy to help you score some better bottles. lol I have brought Ocho back from MX, & saying El Tesoro won't be around for more than a few years must be a joke? The distillery has over 85 years of history & distribution by Beam Suntory. Yes Siete Leguas made Patron before they had their own distillery & just celebrated their 70th anniversary, La Altena has been doing it longer & I have seen El Tesoro bottles from 2013 or earlier. unfortunately Mark is a shill, with extreme bias towards distilleries he partnered with for his online shop. defiitely knowledgeable but take his recommendations with a grain of salt. no really, it's garbage. absolutely artificial flavor & color. It's like saying Fireball is great whiskey. it's cheap & stores sell a lot of it, this is by no means the measure of quality product. View Quote I called over the border I. NJ. They are getting more of the El Tesoro Blanco this week and it's $5 cheaper than in PA. THE Ocho was the same price I think and then they don't even have Forteleza in their system. But like I said that stuff seems pretty black market. Or you have to be buddies with the owner to reserve a bottle. Just like harder to find whiskeys where they do have it but hide it and if you go in cold and ask for it they'll say they don't have it but when their buddy comes in they break it out and ring them up. I want to present well when hosting guests so I'll see what I can do to scrounge a bottle. But it's not top on my list of priorities so we'll see If you can believe it...I've had about a dozen different people that do all sorts of interstate traveling trying to scrounge me a bottle of Thunderbird for years now!!! Yes, the cheap bum swill....Thunderbird! Zilch!! More elusive than Forteleza!!!! And the parent company doesn't return emails or pick up their phone either. |
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Quoted: PA doesn't even sell Forteleza. I'm wondering if anywhere near the Jersey border by me does. We usually just go to Nortons in Pburg. Seems like this stuff is black market material from how rare it is. View Quote But it's cool, because there's a lot of awesome bottles out there. On a budget, check out Tres Agaves, Tapatio or Arette. Next step up from those are bottles like Tequila Ocho, El Tesoro, Pasote, Cazcanes, Lalo, El Tequileno and Siete Leguas. Anything beyond that I honestly don't know, I don't think I've spent over $40 or so on a bottle of tequila. Any of those won't let you down, imo. |
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Quoted: Try Teramana,its just as good and half the price. 30 bucks-Teramana View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: I like Casamigos Reposado Try Teramana,its just as good and half the price. 30 bucks-Teramana Teramana blanco is okay for cocktails, I wouldn't drink it neat. The thing about Teramana is why pay ~$40 or so for a bottle of the Rock's tequila, when you can spend ~$25 or so and buy a bottle of Tres Agaves or Arette and have arguably a superior tequila in all respects? I didn't think the Teramana reposado was very good at all by itself or in a cocktail, and I'm not willing to try the anejo. Casamigos is revolting, imo. If you have to have a celebrity tequila, buy a bottle of Codigo. |
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Quoted: I wouldn't waste Siete Leguas on mixed drinks, it is in the same league as Ocho and Tesoro, and is a legit Mexican tequila that you can buy in Mexico. View Quote As a grown ass adult, make your drinks with whatever you want however you want. I make margaritas with Tequila Ocho and they're amazing. I'd mix 25 year Van Winkle with Coke Zero too, if nothing else because it bothers people. |
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