The Tasting Panel magazine

April 2010

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OUR PANEL TASTeS oro Azul: The South-of-the-Border Star For years, the Lopez-Garibay family (fifth-generation owners and descendents of Don Pedro Camarena) has been producing premium tequila that’s been a favorite in some of Mexico’s most traditional and exclusive tequila enclaves. But now, like Mexican pop stars with crossover appeal to the U.S. market, Oro Azul is winning over a whole new crowd stateside. We love the brand’s unique packaging—each expression comes in a different tinted-glass bottle—and we’re enamored with the artisanal, rustic and authentic Mexican feel and flavor profile these tequilas channel. The reposado expression is aged for six months and delivers rich, clean tequila that’s balanced, rich and nutty with spice notes. We’re so glad the brand has decided to share the golden goodness north of the border. Our Panel Votes: The gold-hued Oro Azul Reposado (SRP $42) offers a creamy texture, richly layered with notes of peppermint and spiced flowers. www.oroazultequila.com; imported by 21st Century Spirits Tequila 3 Amigos: The Natural Sure, you might think of the comic classic ¡Three Amigos! when you hear this brand’s name, but this tequila is serious business. Quality at 3 Amigos begins with the health and ripeness of every blue agave plant harvested, imbuing each sip of the brand’s four expressions—the recently-released USDA-certified organic blanco expres- sion demonstrates the brand’s commitment to organic agriculture—with the flavor of the agave. Additionally, 3 Amigos is distilled twice, rather than three times, leaving the spirit with a rich taste and body that has come to be the brand’s signature. The reposado and añejo expres- sions are aged in charred white oak barrels, imbuing each sip with bold flavors that finish smoothly across the palate. Raul Mosqueda of Tequila 3 Amigos. Our Panel Votes: 3 Amigos Blanco (SRP $40) offers a powerful bouquet and a lean lime-and-green-apple tinged agave focus, some white pepper and a full, deep palate of creamy mocha. www.3amigostequila.com 90 / the tasting panel / april 2010

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