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Main Forums => The Roundtable => Topic started by: cosine on November 06, 2012, 11:06:18 AM

Title: What's a good mid-range tequila?
Post by: cosine on November 06, 2012, 11:06:18 AM
I need suggestions for a good mid-range tequila that will be used in basic tequila cocktails (margarita, tequila sunrise, etc.) I know nothing about tequila... what would you recommend for mixing cocktails that won't break the bank? I'm hoping to not have to spend more than $20-$30.
Title: Re: What's a good mid-range tequila?
Post by: mtnbkr on November 06, 2012, 11:09:36 AM
Cuervo 1800 isn't bad and is available.  If you're going to be mixing it, then you don't need the best, just something that isn't garbage.

Chris
Title: Re: What's a good mid-range tequila?
Post by: Fitz on November 06, 2012, 11:11:19 AM
1800 is "OK"


But there's quite a bit of difference between ok tequila and good tequila.

I drink Cabo a lot. Like Corazon too.

Had some *expletive deleted*it in MX called "Tres Mujeres" that was actually fantastic.
Title: Re: What's a good mid-range tequila?
Post by: cosine on November 06, 2012, 11:15:06 AM
Cuervo 1800 isn't bad and is available.  If you're going to be mixing it, then you don't need the best, just something that isn't garbage.

Chris

That was my thought exactly. My only experience with tequila has been in getting margaritas at local Mexican restaurants and I never inquired as to what they use, so I have no idea what is considered top shelf, mid-tier, and low end in tequilas. I'm thinking of trying my hand at mixing a few drinks myself tonight, so I need some recommendations.
Title: Re: What's a good mid-range tequila?
Post by: mtnbkr on November 06, 2012, 11:15:35 AM
1800 is "OK"


But there's quite a bit of difference between ok tequila and good tequila.

I drink Cabo a lot. Like Corazon too.

Had some *expletive deleted* in MX called "Tres Mujeres" that was actually fantastic.

For cocktails, I don't think the difference is worth obsessing over unless you're a connoisseur.   If you are a connoisseur, then all of your ingredients have to be top notch as well, not pre-made mixes from a bottle.  I'll also submit that if you're at that level, you wouldn't be asking about it on a firearms forum. :P

Chris
Title: Re: What's a good mid-range tequila?
Post by: Fitz on November 06, 2012, 11:16:32 AM
That was my thought exactly. My only experience with tequila has been in getting margaritas at local Mexican restaurants and I never inquired as to what they use, so I have no idea what is considered top shelf, mid-tier, and low end in tequilas. I'm thinking of trying my hand at mixing a few drinks myself tonight, so I need some recommendations.

If you're not a tequila snob like me, then 1800 will likely be fine for you
Title: Re: What's a good mid-range tequila?
Post by: cosine on November 06, 2012, 11:18:32 AM
<<< yep, beginner, not connoisseur.   

I will admit to being a beer snob, but it's just too dang expensive to be a snob about everything I imbibe. ;)
Title: Re: What's a good mid-range tequila?
Post by: mtnbkr on November 06, 2012, 11:24:10 AM
<<< yep, beginner, not connoisseur.   

I will admit to being a beer snob, but it's just too dang expensive to be a snob about everything I imbibe. ;)

I hear ya.  I'm a beer snob myself, but I'm perfectly willing to go slumming if I'm camping or doing yard work.  I save the good stuff for when I can savor it.

Chris
Title: Re: What's a good mid-range tequila?
Post by: charby on November 06, 2012, 11:51:56 AM
Just plain old Jose Cuervo will work just fine for cocktails and margarita.

El Jimador (Blanco) is what my friends use as their mixing tequila, tequila and Squirt over rocks.

Title: Re: What's a good mid-range tequila?
Post by: K Frame on November 06, 2012, 03:57:28 PM
Good tequila is an oxymoron.

Gin.
Title: Re: What's a good mid-range tequila?
Post by: kgbsquirrel on November 06, 2012, 04:12:41 PM
My preference is Don Julio Resposado or Blanco depending on the kind of drink. I don't drink very often (like one every couple months maybe) so most of my stuff is top shelf, so perhaps I'm not the best person to be asking.  :P  When I do decide to have the occassional drink, I want it to taste good.

ETA: Just went and peered into the liquor cabinet, meant Anejo not Resposado, sorry.

Some of the stuff I keep on hand:

Glenfiddich 12 year
Don Julio Anejo
Lucid
Bombay Sapphire
Belvedere
Pussers
Pyrat

And of course, classic Jack Daniels No.7.  =D
Title: Re: What's a good mid-range tequila?
Post by: cosine on November 06, 2012, 04:53:34 PM
Good tequila is an oxymoron.

Gin.

My knowledge of tequila surpasses my knowledge of gin...  ;)
so do you have some recommendations?
Title: Re: What's a good mid-range tequila?
Post by: wuluf on November 06, 2012, 07:57:18 PM
Sauza Hornitos.  Very smooth...
Title: Re: What's a good mid-range tequila?
Post by: Chuck Dye on November 06, 2012, 09:52:02 PM
I fell into Tequila Herradura when an article in Smithsonian Magazine centered on Herradura.  Whether it is mid range or high end depends on your budget.  

A classic bartenders' bet asks the customer to distinguish between the customer's call liquor and well liquor in two otherwise identical cocktails.  The bet is usually double or nothing for the price of both drinks.  The customer rarely identifies the call liquor, so if you are mixing, don't over spend.

If you are drinking straight tequila, note the difference between straight, reposado ("rested" or briefly aged) and añejo (aged.)  If I am drinking straight tequila, it is almost always reposado or añejo.  Tequilas labeled puro de agave or 100% agave are almost always the way to go.

The bottle on my shelf at the moment is Cazadores (Hunters) Reposado, solidly upper middle range.
Title: Re: What's a good mid-range tequila?
Post by: K Frame on November 06, 2012, 09:57:50 PM
Boodles

Bombay sapphire
Title: Re: What's a good mid-range tequila?
Post by: cosine on November 06, 2012, 10:07:33 PM
Well, I stopped by my local beverage store, and cheaped out for today. I decided that $10 for a sixer of Two Hearted Ale was more to my liking than ~$25 for tequila (plus, it's been a while since I had a nice, juicy IPA) so I went with that. Thanks for all the recommendations though, I intend to make use of them when I decide to make margaritas in the (hopefully) near future.  =)
Title: Re: What's a good mid-range tequila?
Post by: Perd Hapley on November 07, 2012, 12:43:38 AM
On this election night, even I find this thread interesting.
Title: Re: What's a good mid-range tequila?
Post by: Physics on November 08, 2012, 12:43:54 AM
Good tequila is an oxymoron.

Gin.

You haven't had good tequila then.  If you're looking for high end tequilas, I recommend the Agave Leyva Añejo Tequila from Mama Lucia (http://www.tequilamamalucia.com/our-tequila).  They call it a sipping tequila for a reason.  A bit expensive though.

For margaritas and mixed drinks, Jose Cuervo works just fine, and is probably a better tequila than what the bar is giving you.  If you're looking for a nice cheap ~sipping tequila, Tarantula azul (http://mccormickdistilling.com/tartequila/index.php) is pretty tasty.

On a side note, Tequila + OJ is awesome.
Title: Re: What's a good mid-range tequila?
Post by: cassandra and sara's daddy on November 08, 2012, 10:26:31 AM
Good tequila is an oxymoron.

Gin.

yes^^^

i was gonna ask good tequila going down?  or coming back up?

tequila is the lsd of alcohol
Title: Re: What's a good mid-range tequila?
Post by: Physics on November 08, 2012, 10:35:11 PM
yes^^^

i was gonna ask good tequila going down?  or coming back up?

tequila is the lsd of alcohol

I agree when you are not considering moderation.  Everyone seems to have a tequila story.
Title: Re: What's a good mid-range tequila?
Post by: charby on November 08, 2012, 10:57:39 PM
Bombay sapphire

That was my gin of choice back when I drank gin. One night of way too many Tanquery and tonics, killed my taste for gin.

I may have to get a Sapphire and tonic next time I go to the bar, see if I can stomach gin.
Title: Re: What's a good mid-range tequila?
Post by: cassandra and sara's daddy on November 09, 2012, 09:05:37 AM
I agree when you are not considering moderation.  Everyone seems to have a tequila story.

what is this "moderation" you speak of?!?
Title: Re: What's a good mid-range tequila?
Post by: SADShooter on November 09, 2012, 09:17:25 AM
Centenario makes all three styles, Blanco, Reposado & Anejo. I can get the Anejo locally for $25-30/750ml. I like it a lot.
Title: Re: What's a good mid-range tequila?
Post by: 41magsnub on November 09, 2012, 12:10:58 PM
I only drink the good stuff:

(https://armedpolitesociety.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi238.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fff299%2Ftrebligb%2FLa%2520Paz%2FDSC00104.jpg&hash=053efec022bf15342c57b873856932bfb1d5df85)
Title: Re: What's a good mid-range tequila?
Post by: K Frame on November 13, 2012, 08:18:47 AM
I agree when you are not considering moderation.  Everyone seems to have a tequila story.

College...

Tequilla shots with tobasco sauce in the bottom.

Called Prairie Fires.

It didn't matter which end they were exiting, it was hell.
Title: Re: What's a good mid-range tequila?
Post by: slingshot on November 13, 2012, 11:22:21 AM
Funny.  I went into my local liquor store and asked the very same question.  I ended up with Jose Quervo Traditional; limited edition whatever that means.  A bottle of liquor will often last me years, but generally not tequila.  I have scotch that I have had on the shelf for 20 years and it was already 15 year old scotch.  I have to say though, I enjoy sipping on a margarita and love the flavor.  I am probably a candidate for an upgrade since I use so little.
Title: Re: What's a good mid-range tequila?
Post by: thebaldguy on November 14, 2012, 08:43:43 PM
Sauza makes some very good tequilas.

I like Sauza gold (the cheap one) for mixings. Hornitos is a little more but very good for it's price. They make some really good ones that are more expensive but are great straight up.
Title: Re: What's a good mid-range tequila?
Post by: Physics on November 14, 2012, 10:01:47 PM
what is this "moderation" you speak of?!?

A thing you learn from having too many tequila stories.  And 3 day hangovers.   =D
Title: Re: What's a good mid-range tequila?
Post by: Sergeant Bob on November 14, 2012, 10:20:48 PM
Boodles

Bombay sapphire

I'll be giving that a try. I bought some Tangeray a while back for Gin and Tonics and it wasn't so good. I used to really like it, but maybe since I haven't drank at all in about 7 years (one of my medications just didn't mix well with alcohol, now I'm off of it,yay!)  my tastes have changed a bit.
Title: Re: What's a good mid-range tequila?
Post by: cassandra and sara's daddy on November 15, 2012, 08:49:08 AM
A thing you learn from having too many tequila stories.  And 3 day hangovers.   =D


hangovers are optional and caused by getting sober      stay drunk stop hangovers
Title: Re: What's a good mid-range tequila?
Post by: Chuck Dye on November 16, 2012, 12:40:19 AM
The original margarita (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margarita) is made from tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice. Very different from the drink served in most bars and restaurants and, to my taste, vastly superior.  Give it a try.
Title: Re: What's a good mid-range tequila?
Post by: zxcvbob on November 16, 2012, 12:57:18 AM
For sweet and sour drink like a margarita, I think you're better off upgrading the mixers rather than the liquor.  Get the next-to-the-cheapest tequila they have, and use real limes instead of a jug of m-mix.
Title: Re: What's a good mid-range tequila?
Post by: Fitz on November 16, 2012, 07:22:19 AM
The original margarita (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margarita) is made from tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice. Very different from the drink served in most bars and restaurants and, to my taste, vastly superior.  Give it a try.

This


Variations include a little triple sec

This is the way I like em