Photographs: shot glass by Karandaev; bottle by Stoleg
FELIZ NAVIDAD
Tequilas that bring the cheer
The world of tequila has blossomed. With its sweet, layered flavors, this Mexican liquor has developed into one of the most expressive distilled spirits. And Fairfield County is home to some restaurants that take tequila seriously. Geronimo Tequila Bar & Southwest Grill in Fairfield and Tequila Mockingbird in New Canaan are two of only forty in the U.S. to be certified by the Consejo Regulador del Tequila (CRT), the Mexican tequila governing body. Bartaco in Stamford and Westport is also a great source for sipping tequilas. Read on for the 411 on some of the best bottles around.
IN GOOD TASTE
Not sure where to begin? We asked two experts to suggest what flavor profiles to look for and what to order next.
GRETCHEN THOMAS
Wine and spirits director, Barteca Restaurant Group
123 ORGANIC TEQUILA TRES AÑEJO
Yam, baked apple, cedar, vanilla, dried flowers, volcanic earth
CASA NOBLE REPOSADO
Yam, vanilla, dried flowers, baking spices
FORTALEZA BLANCO
Yam, aloe, citrus peel, grassy, volcanic earth
LIBELULA JOVEN
Yam, citrus peel, jasmine, dried roses, baking spices
RIAZUL AÑEJO
Yam, vanilla, chai spices, baked apple
TIM SCOTT
Co-owner, Geronimo Tequila Bar and Southwest Grill
AMATE REPOSADO
Light caramel taste with a hint of vanilla
CASA NOBLE AÑEJO
Aged nose, elegant balance from French oak
CASA NOBLE BLANCO
Fresh agave nose with a natural sweetness
CLASE AZUL REPOSADO
Sweet, rich on the tongue, with background notes of the sherry barrel
DON JULIO 1942
Butterscotch and vanilla, rich caramel and roasted agave
FORTALEZA AÑEJO
Caramel, butterscotch and vanilla, cooked agave aroma
TEQUILA 411
SOURCE
Agave
A succulent that grows in semi-arid land
Blue Weber Agave
The species of agave that tequila is made from, also known as agave azul.
Mixto
An agave distillation that can have up to 49 percent sugars from sources other than agave.
AGING
Añejo
Tequila aged from one to three years
Blanco
Aged for up to forty-five days in oak barrels
Reposado
Aged up to one year
Ultra (or Extra) Añejo
Aged more than three years. There’s no limit on aging.