Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/76623
THE MESSAGE Taste the Tequila T ommy's, in San Francisco, is one of the most famous Mexican restaurants in the U.S. Today, founder Tommy Bermejo's son, Julio Bermejo— world renowned as the "Ambassador of Tequila to the United States"—has perfected Tommy's Famous Margarita Mix. Tommy's Famous Margarita Mix was fi rst intro- duced to the United States in 1965 by Tommy Bermejo at his Mexican restaurant in San Francisco. THE TASTING PANEL was lucky enough to taste Bermejo's legendary Margaritas at Rosa Mexicano res- taurant in West Hollywood, CA. Bermejo explained the importance of using agave fructose instead of fructose corn syrup, which not only lowers the drink's calories (only 44 calories per serving), but also allows the drinker to taste the tequila. "If you make it with Casa Noble, it tastes like Casa Noble. If you make it with Cazadores, it tastes like Cazadores," says Bermejo. In addition to extraordinary taste and a low calorie count, the new recipe is comprised of 100% all-natural ingredients, including hand-picked, pure-squeezed Persian limes, organic blue agave nectar and purifi ed water. —Jamie Solomon Julio Bermejo is known as the "Ambassador of Tequila to the United States." A Steak Out for Breakout Nigel Davenport, the GM and Beverage Director for Larsen's Steakhouse (loca- tions in Encino, Valencia and Simi Valley, CA) posed for this photo after we intro- duced him to chill-fi ltered Breakout Rye Whiskey, aged eight years. The success- ful operation, owned by Flemming Larsen, has a dynamic wine-and spirits program and off ers the fi nest prime steaks and seafood. 20 / the tasting panel / august 2012 PHOTO: JAMIE SOLOMON