Agavales Tequila--thoughts?

[The Knize]

I often spend pretty good money on tequila, and I like a margarita that is made with excellent tequila (blanco or reposado, not anejo!), Cointreau, fresh lime juice (really a mix of fresh lime and lemon juice), agave syrup, and a tiny pinch of sea salt. I do not quite follow the concept of using cheap tequila in margaritas because the flavor is masked. There is no room to hide in a margarita the way I often make them and I want the tequila contributing to the mix not detracting from it!

Anyway, so I am over at the Virginia state liquor store on Sunday, and they have liter bottles of Agavales Gold Tequila for $13.20. Labelled 100 % agave. I figure this is either price mismarked, the 100% agave is a lie, or someone has found a thousands of acres stand of agave no one else knew about. Odds on the the first 2, and at $13.20 a liter, not much of a gamble.

I am pretty critical of tequila usually. I find Patron to a little uneven, and although pretty good, a little harsh for the money. Casa Noble a former favorite has really slipped in qualiity and it shows if old and new are tasted side by side. Other relatively pricey tequilas seems uneven, or weak, or to have odd off flavors in some bottles or all three. I would say that overall tequila had gone way up in price over the past ten years and substantially down in quality or at least in reliability.

So I was absolutely shocked when this stuff turns out to be pretty good. Decent strength of flavor and real agave flavor at that. Not much pepper but some. Not real minearaly like some tequilas, but more a vegetal flavored type tequila and nothing wrong or inappropriate about that. I acttually believe the label that this is 100% agave, but I do not see how they do it. This is no much better than any mixto I have ever had, it does not seem like the same kind of beverage. I would say it is better than any other relatively inexpensive 100% agave tequila I can think of. I should taste them blind though. Seems better than Hornitos, better than the 100% agave version of El Jimador, better than say 1800.

Anyone else had this stuff? Any thoughts?

 

[grump]

I personally enjoy Don Julio Anejo on ice and have not tried this brand.

Maybe this link will help.
http://www.mexcor.com/agavales/history.htm

 

[Cuttingboard]

Say no to Patron...do you want mixing or sipping tequila? My wife and I go to Mexico several times a year and always bring back several bottles of Tequila. Our favorite tequila for: margaritas is Aha Toro Tequila Blanco; La Paloma's is Don Julio Reposado; and sipping is Clase Azul Reposado or Don Julio 1942.

 

[JaDo]

I have not tried the Agavales brand. I actually haven't seen it before. I will look for it on my next trip. You seem to have good taste, based on some of your other posts.

I live in a strange part of the D/FW area, in that I am in a "wet" area, surrounded by "dry" areas. There are four liquor stores within a 5 miles radius of me. So, hopefuly one of them has them in stock.

I make my margaritas very similarly to your method - instead of agave syrup, I just make a simple syrup. Not too sweet though, because I like to use Grand Marnier more often than Cointreau, and it seems to be sweeter. My favorite tequila is Herradura - either in a margarita or straight.

BTW - you are right about the prices for tequila increasing over the last ten years. I recall there being a significant agave shortage around that time and it was impacting the price of tequila. Here is a link to a story about it http://www.ianchadwick.com/tequila/shortage.htm

 

[The Knize]

Hey, Cuttingboard, haven't we had a similar extended conversation on this board in the past?! Looks like you have refined your tequila choices since then. Que bueno!

I am ongoing fan of Don Julio. Not the least expensive, but reliable, consistent, and generally available. I would put El Tesoro de Don Filipe in a similar category except not as widely available. Patron is Patron for better or worse. I discussed Casa Noble below. I have had smaller label tequlas that that are the equal or better than any of these.I hae

I think you mentioned the Aha Toro last time around, and I still have not had it! Same for the Azul. I think I have had the 1492 Don Julio. Again, no complaint with any of the Don Julios!

But you these are all good tequilas priced as good tequilas generally are. Not at $13.20 a liter in the States! I looked it up on line and apparently handles of the blanco of this stuff go for about EDIT: $23.40 at the Virginia state stores. These are just insanely good prices for 100% agave tequla.

I have in front of me small shot glasses of the Agazales "Gold," Corzo Blanco, and Casa Noble Reposado, a current version. Each frankly has its charms, with the CN essentially clearing the table, as the more complete, intense, balanced, spirit. The Corzo is hot and clean. The Agazales is quite smooth with very good agave character. No noticeable flaws. Certainly none of the bizarre flavors that come out of mixtos! I assume the "gold" is really a blanco with some coloring or they would have called it a reposado. So in this respect the CN has an unfair adavantage.

EDIT: James--why thanks! This brand is new to me. I would have noticed 100 % agave liters immediately no matter what the price point! I like Herradura pretty much, too, especially the reposado. I am not fond of the Herradura anejo for some reason although I drink little anejo in general. Around here sometimes they have a Mexican version of Herrradura blanco that comes in a difference type of bottle and seems to have a little more character than the standard stuff sold here. I like ot use the agave syrup because it adds some additional agave flavor. I know what you mean about Gran Marnier. When Cointreau was feeling too expensive, I started using Gran Gala, which I found I liked a lot. Adds another dimension to the drink.

 

[Cuttingboard]

Hey, Cuttingboard, haven't we had a similar extended conversation on this board in the past?! Looks like you have refined your tequila choices since then. Que bueno!

I am ongoing fan of Don Julio. Not the least expensive, but reliable, consistent, and generally available. I would put El Tesoro de Don Filipe in a similar category except not as widely available. Patron is Patron for better or worse. I discussed Casa Noble below. I have had smaller label tequlas that that are the equal or better than any of these.I hae

I think you mentioned the Aha Toro last time around, and I still have not had it! Same for the Azul. I think I have had the 1492 Don Julio. Again, no complaint with any of the Don Julios!

Yes Knize, we had a lengthy discussion about Tequila several months ago and it was very helpful. Many thanks. I have refined my Tequila drinking since then...3 trips to Playa del Carmen Mexico in a year and sitting at a bar trying almost every tequila available really helps!

Aha Toro is my new favorite for top shelf margaritas, picked it up on my last trip to Mexico a couple weeks ago. I did mention Clase Azul Reposado, still mine and my wife's favorite sipping tequila. My wife LOVES Azul. I picked up 2 more bottles for myself and 3 as gifts for friends when I was in Mexico a couple weeks ago.

 

[The Knize]

I did not mean to seem to be fishing for compliments, CB! You were at least, probably, more helpful to me than I was to you that last lengthy round of tequila discussions, so I thank you!

<3 trips to Playa del Carmen Mexico in a year >

I have been there. Tough duty, eh!

<I picked up 2 more bottles for myself and 3 as gifts for friends when I was in Mexico a couple weeks ago.>

Let me see, now, "Alexandria, VA" that does not seem to far from my house. If CB is going to Mexico anyway he could pick me up . . . . Just kidding! I seem to have spirits galore these days and most tequilas seem available in DC with some effort in searching them out, or actually Virginia of all places seems to have a decent special order arrangement!

I need to try the Clase Azul Reposado, given what a long-time fav of yours it has been! I was not impressed withe Corzo last night. I was taken back with the Casa Noble as to why even if it has slipped a bit, it is still world class to me, at least the reposado!

What I really, truly want is a source for Don Abuelo Panamanian rum! The middle level quality not the really aged version. We bought some in Costa Rica and it blew me away! (Or, I suppose real Cuba rum, but I do not think that one is going to happen.)

 

[Cuttingboard]

I did not mean to seem to be fishing for compliments, CB! You were at least, probably, more helpful to me than I was to you that last lengthy round of tequila discussions, so I thank you!

I didn't think that you were fishing for a compliment. Great input from members of this board which proves why this forum is a great resource for all things.

Here's the thread: Great Tequila Recommendations

 

[The Knize]

I didn't think that you were fishing for a compliment. Great input from members of this board which proves why this forum is a great resource for all things.

Here's the thread: Great Tequila Recommendations

I hate reading my old posts! No telling what ******* thing I might have said at any given time. Heck I hate reading my recent posts for the same reasons!

As the inimitable poet Easy E once said: "don't quote me Boy, I ain't said sh_t!" (That sounds harsh, doesn't it. Just fooling around obviously! The what I learned about soccer thread is having a bad effect on my decorum!)

 

[Belicoso]

Labelled 100 % agave. I figure this is either price mismarked, the 100% agave is a lie, or someone has found a thousands of acres stand of agave no one else knew about. Odds on the the first 2, and at $13.20 a liter, not much of a gamble.

Easy to check... look for the letters NOM with a line on top and bottom and followed by 4 numbers. NOM (Norma Oficial Mexicana) is the Mexican government guarantee that the product is made in the region of Tequila with blue Agave.

 

[FrankC]

I am a don julio fan. Its the only one that doesnt make me feel like i was run over by a train the next day. Of course if its just for mixing, i pick up something middle of the road.

 

[The Knize]

Easy to check... look for the letters NOM with a line on top and bottom and followed by 4 numbers. NOM (Norma Oficial Mexicana) is the Mexican government guarantee that the product is made in the region of Tequila with blue Agave.

It's got the NOM number.

I like Don Julio, too. Very good. Very consistent. I do not use middling quality tequila in anything. I use fresh and high quality stuff in Margaritas and think good tequila shines through and all is synergy!

 

[Cuttingboard]

I like Don Julio, too. Very good. Very consistent. I do not use middling quality tequila in anything. I use fresh and high quality stuff in Margaritas and think good tequila shines through and all is synergy!

 

[OldAF]

Anyway, so I am over at the Virginia state liquor store on Sunday, and they have liter bottles of Agavales Gold Tequila for $13.20. Labelled 100 % agave. I figure this is either price mismarked, the 100% agave is a lie, or someone has found a thousands of acres stand of agave no one else knew about. Odds on the the first 2, and at $13.20 a liter, not much of a gamble.
... Seems better than Hornitos, better than the 100% agave version of El Jimador, better than say 1800.

I think you found a keeper there. I have never seen it but will certainly keep and eye out.

I am no Tequila expert but I have be using Lunazul on the basis that it is 100% Agave and seems to be constantly on sale for $14-16 (750ml). It also tastes better to me than any mixto and I like both the reposado and blanco.

 

[The Knize]

I think you found a keeper there. I have never seen it but will certainly keep and eye out.

I am no Tequila expert but I have be using Lunazul on the basis that it is 100% Agave and seems to be constantly on sale for $14-16 (750ml). It also tastes better to me than any mixto and I like both the reposado and blanco.

I just saw for the first time and bought some Lunazul, too. They only had the reposado. I paid about $19.95. Very nice. Better and more accessible than the Agazales, in that it cleaner tasting and less in one's face, and the wood aging on the resposado adds nice elements. Much better than any mixto I know of, and to me better than similarly priced 100% agaves like Hornitos, 1800, the current verions of 100% agave El Jimador.

I also recently got a bottle of El Tesoro de Don Philipe blanco, which to me is a real benchmark for great blanco tequila. It was a good as I had remembered. It blows the Agazales away, and is considerably better than the Lunazaul, because it is all that much more refined and flavorful.

After living with the Agavales for awhile the forward, vegetal, which are abolutely appropriate for tequila, seem nonetheless kind rough and a little tiring to me compared to the cleaner more peppery tequila. Still an amazing price for good tequila.

 

[slcsteve]

These are still in my cabinet, unopened and I don't know when or if I ever will open them.

Gran Centario extra anejo
Cuervo Reserva de Familia (2) 2004 and 2005
1800 Edicion del Nuevo Milenio

When I do have a sip it's still generally Don Julio or El Jimador reposado or Herradura anejo. Herradura silver for margaritas.


View attachment 112007

View attachment 112010

View attachment 112008

View attachment 112009

 

[blary54]

Was at my local liquor store today getting some beer( got some Negra Modelo from recommendations here). Thought I would have a look at the tequila to see if I could find Agavales. No dice...however I did see Lunazul. It was 14.99 for a 750ml. Seems like a good deal...didn't buy it today(maybe ill pick up a bottle tomorrow). Which one do you prefer the blanco or reposado?

 

[The Knize]

Was at my local liquor store today getting some beer( got some Negra Modelo from recommendations here). Thought I would have a look at the tequila to see if I could find Agavales. No dice...however I did see Lunazul. It was 14.99 for a 750ml. Seems like a good deal...didn't buy it today(maybe ill pick up a bottle tomorrow). Which one do you prefer the blanco or reposado?

<Lunazul. It was 14.99 for a 750ml. Seems like a good deal>

Seems like a very good deal. I paid $19.95 for it in Virginia and I thought it was a very good deal.

<Which one do you prefer the blanco or reposado?>

I have only seen the reposado on the shelves anywhere, and even that was completely sold out when I was by the Virginia ABC store I usually go to if I am going to get anything in Virginia. Happens to be in the same strip shopping center with the famous "Ray's Hell Burger" where President Obama and VP Biden had lunch and the best "pho" that I know of in the DC area! (Virginia ABA stores are usually more expensive than DC liquor stores or Montgomery County, Maryland, county liquor stores.)

At $14.95 I would be buying both! But you can try one and see if you like it! I would buy whichever, reposado or blanco, you would buy of your favorit current tequilla brand. I have not had the blanco, but I cannot imagine that it would be substantially worse than the reposado relative to other blancos!

 

[OldAF]

They are true to type, that is to say the reposado is smoother and the blanco has more pepper bite. Buy what you prefer. I like them both and consider them the best bang for the buck tequila; reasonable quality and cheap.

 

[blary54]

<Lunazul. It was 14.99 for a 750ml. Seems like a good deal>

Seems like a very good deal. I paid $19.95 for it in Virginia and I thought it was a very good deal.

<Which one do you prefer the blanco or reposado?>

I have only seen the reposado on the shelves anywhere, and even that was completely sold out when I was by the Virginia ABC store I usually go to if I am going to get anything in Virginia. Happens to be in the same strip shopping center with the famous "Ray's Hell Burger" where President Obama and VP Biden had lunch and the best "pho" that I know of in the DC area! (Virginia ABA stores are usually more expensive than DC liquor stores or Montgomery County, Maryland, county liquor stores.)

At $14.95 I would be buying both! But you can try one and see if you like it! I would buy whichever, reposado or blanco, you would buy of your favorit current tequilla brand. I have not had the blanco, but I cannot imagine that it would be substantially worse than the reposado relative to other blancos!

Ok you talked me into picking up a bottle. Probably will get the reposado first because I prefer my Tequila aged. Much more complex then blancos...but eventually will try both.