The Tasting Panel magazine

April 2010

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OUR PANEL TASTeS don Julio: The Game Changer In 1942, Don Julio Gonzalez began his journey to become one of the most celebrated names in the spirits industry. He realized that in order to craft the highest-quality premium tequila, it would be imperative to control every aspect of production, from cultivation of the agave to the final product. For 40 years, he perfected the art of tequila at his distillery, La Primavera, and shared the final result mainly with his friends and family. But before long, Don Julio became one of the most favored tequilas in Mexico, and today, his eponymous brand is one of the top calls in the U.S. In addition to superb blanco, reposado and añejo versions, Don Julio packs an ultra-premium punch with 1942 and Real, small-batch productions that have elevated tequila to a new level. Our Panel Votes: Don Julio Blanco (SRP $45) has the “wow” factor: a pert and zippy full body accented by floral notes, velvet textured with lime and exotic orange spice on a slightly dulce finish. www.donjulio.com; imported by Diageo North America Don Julio REAL (SRP $350) is produced from a highly selective batch of only the best estate-grown agave and its second distillation is in a special still known as Pot Still 6, which refines the flavors even further. Jose Cuervo: The Life of the Party The name Jose Cuervo is synonymous with tequila, thanks to a tradition of quality products at a budget-friendly price point—oh, and being named after Jose Antonio de Cuervo, the first tequila producer, who started this ball rolling in 1795. But Jose Cuervo Silver is more than just a nod to tradition; it’s a versatile spirit, per- fectly smooth as a chilled shot, and delightfully mixable in a classic Cuervo cocktail. There’s no more perfect way to kick off summer (or celebrate Cinco de Mayo) than with one of Jose’s classic Margaritas, and it’s a pretty safe bet that the world is better thanks to the man behind this brand. Our Panel Votes: Launched this spring is Jose Cuervo Tradicional Silver (SRP $20) a 100% agave recreation of the brand’s original bottle and recipe. Dry, earthy, fleshy and mellow with notes of ripe agave, it finishes with just the right sweetness on the tongue. www.cuervo.com; imported by Diageo North America Gina Castillo of Diageo offered up a bottle of the newly released Jose Cuervo Tradicional Silver. april 2010 / the tasting panel / 91

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