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Perhaps Tequila’s struggle towards
prominence parallels Mexico’s own course along the road to
development. And just as Mexico is now home to the world’s richest
person, ultra premium tequilas
 are sometimes now found to be the
most expensive spirit on the shelf. The super premium tequilas you
find today are a long way from Pepe Lopez and the worm. Tequila has
for many shed the perception imposed by the “bad tequila
experience,” a phenomenon closely associated with the “first tequila
experience.”
In Texas, California, and New York ultra
premium tequilas have made some inroads. I had the good fortune to
run into a tequila expert who could give me better guidance than
some of my collegiate peers, whose counsel, of course, was most
significantly driven by a single economic driver (price) and maybe
the worm.
Identifying the complexity of a premium tequila
might not be that different from discerning other spirits, but I’ll
share with you a method that was shared with me. My friend Raul
represents a small batch ultra premium organic brand called Casa
Noble. Casa Noble’s Reposado was the subject of our tasting. Casa
Noble has branded its method of tasting and discerning its product’s
nuances as Los Cinco Sentidos, which means the five senses and
refers to the full sensory experience involved in a Casa Noble’s
formal tequila tastings.
Don’t
I preface Los Cinco
Sentidos with three important “dont’s.”
- Dispense
with any thought of using the salt and lime. The salt and lime,
like warm sake or chasing a shot with a beer, is meant to
neutralizing and mask the nastiness of an unpleasant experience.
Using salt and lime with premium tequila is unnecessary and bad
form. Furthermore, the salt and lime eliminates any hope of
appreciating the character of the spirit.
- Don’t
think the tasting part is about consuming large quantities of
tequila; the tasting is much more profound and sublime and
you’ll actually drink very little.
- Don’t
start with a tainted palette. Clear your palette with water, a
cracker, bread without yeast,or even vodka. A candle will
usually clear and sharpen your olfactory glands.
The Eyes
We start with
vision. Inspect the color of the tequila. Usually a tequila tasting
happens over a white linen table cloth so you can appreciate the
color. The color will help you discern how long the tequila has been
aged. A blanco/silver/crystal tequila is not aged and is clear with
no color, followed by golden colored reposados and even darker
anejos. Reposados are aged anywhere from a of couple months to a
year. Our Reposado had a soft light gold hue.
The Touch
Put the tequila
shot on your closed lips and let the tequila touch and wet your lips
without drinking any. Rub your lips together. There is the slightest
burning sensation. A strong burning sensation is often associated
with a cheaper tequila. Double, and in Casa Noble’s case triple,
distilled tequilas will not have a strong burning sensation.
The Smell
Try to smell any
of the aromas that awaken your nose. Bring the shot up to your nose
this time. Be sure to leave your mouth open and breathe gently while
you hold the shot close to your nose, or you can waft the scent to
your nose. You’ll discover distinct tones here that you didn’t
observe in touching and won’t observe in tasting.
The Taste
Next, bring the
shot up to your mouth again, but this time let the tequila touch
your tongue. Coat the inside of your mouth now by running your
tongue across your teeth and mouth. Teasing your palette in this way
will give a different sensation than the touch and will evoke a
distinct set of flavors. You may or may not be able to discern
anything at this point, but your palette is now curious, aroused,
and intrigued.
Next you’ll pour just a small amount of the
tequila on the back of your tongue. Lift your head let it glide down
your throat before gently swallowing. Your mouth will be filled with
again an entirely different sensation and notes. By only putting a
small amount in your mouth the tequila can evaporate and your mouth
is filled with the unique aroma of the fumes. Notes of vanilla and
butterscotch and a smokiness may appear. These are much harder to
discern with a rapid shot, salt, and lime.
Now take a sip of the tequila and notice how
different the sip is from any of the other methods.
The Fifth/Sixth Sense
The
fifth sense might be what we normally would call the sixth sense.
It’s the invisible sense that accompanies the formal tasting and the
particular place and setting of your experience. The tasting is
often done without much talking or conversation. All effort is
focused on uninterrupted senses. The white linen, the candle, the
setting, the people, the discovery and awakening of the senses that
happens when we are shown how to pay close attention to the
experience—all release a different experience for each person. The
unspoken sensation may be a memory or a peace or a revelation that
is uncovered as a result of giving our senses such diligent
consideration.
May your experience of something as simple as a
premium tequila tasting be ethereal and transcendent as you enjoy it
in a peaceful setting with people you enjoy.
www.casanoble.com
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