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Visiting Tequila Mexico, Part 3
Part 3 - The Family Reserves (Reserva de la Familia)
Generations of families and various government administrations have gone by, but Jose Cuervo and other tequila distiller families have remained the only constant through all these changes. Since 1795, the Jose Cuervo family has descended into their cellar with close friends and family to taste it finest tequila from their private reserves.
To commemorate its bicentennial, the family decided to share this rare tequila with the rest of the world with the introduction of the Reserva de la Familia. The Maestro Tequilero blends these anejo tequilas with other private reserves that have been aged up to 30 years resulting in a rich potpourri of flavors with a smooth edge. A member of the Jose Cuervo family personally tastes samples from each ultra-premium tequila barrel before it is bottled. Other producer’s of super premium tequila’s include: Sauza, Herradura, and Orendiain.
There are now over 300 different bottles of tequila made with most coming from three dozen or so distilleries. Compared to other spirits such as vodka, scotch or gin, tequila is the only spirit significant growth. The ultra super and ultra premium tequilas are growing 15% per year. Sixty Seven countries import tequila through some of the largest distributors including Diageo, Allied-Domecq, Seagram’s and Osborne.
The Origin of Margarita and Other Tequila Drinks
The popularity of tequila grew in the mid 1900’s when the margarita (a mix of triple sec, lime juice and tequila) was developed in a local Tijuana bar by bartender Danny Herrera. He named the drink after one of his regular customers Marjorie King whose first name translated in Spanish is Margarita. The Tequila Sunrise consists of ice, 1 ½ ounces of silver tequila and orange juice (a ½ ounce of red grenadine syrup is poured over the top creating the “sunrise” effect). Famous American singer Bing Crosby and actor Phil Harris become so enamored with tequila, they began importing certain brands of tequila to America. The “Paloma” (Spanish for “Dove”) was developed at a little cantina called La Capilla in the town of Tequila. This drink consists of tequila and the soda beverage “Squirt”.
Purists drink tequila in a shot or sniffer glass accompanied by sangrita (a spicy blend of orange and tomato juices and jalapenos). With the international resurgence of the martini, the “Tequilatini” is being served at the famous martini bar at the Four Seasons New York. It is comprised of Jose Cuervo Especial, Grand Marnier, Cointreau and a slice of orange in a martini class. “The Jake” martini (served in a number of places including the Swiss Hotel in Sonoma and Rusty Staubs in New York) has been the winner of the best martini award in a local poll in Seattle. It requires rinsing the glass with cabernet sauvignon, pouring chilled tequila and garnishing with a curlicue of lime. Finally there is the ultimate margarita: the “Billionaire Margarita”. This drink consists of one part of Jose Cuervo’s super premium tequila (Reserva de la Familia), 1 part Grand Marnier Cuvee de Centenaire, 2 parts freshly squeezed limejuice and simple syrup or sugar to taste.
Certain things in life should never change such as the act of courtship, the love of family and helping one another. And of course, making tequila by hand...
By Albert Hayashi | September 12, 2006 in Food & Wine Country Travel | Permalink
