1 Tequila, 2 Tequila, 3 Tequila...

Most weeks, we review a number of new products in our Wednesday post. However, since we're in Cinco de Mayo season, we thought we'd postpone new products until tomorrow, and discuss tequila today.

We know that lots of Margaritas will be made for Cinco de Mayo parties. Mixed drink or not, we always suggest using a quality tequila, which will maximize your enjoyment.

We start with Clase Azul, a tequila bottled in one of the most compelling packages anywhere. We carry the Plata and Reposado.

Each bottle of Clase Azul Tequila is literally touched by the human spirit. The love and nurturing our craftspeople put into producing Clase Azul starts in the agave fields and is continued through the bottling process where, in our own facility, each bottle is created by hand.

Inspired by traditional Mexican family values, we chose to produce all of our products in a small village that continues to thrive with our brands. And each bottle of Clase Azul is a work of art. Hand sculpted and individually painted, no two bottles are exactly alike.

Plata

All Clase Azul tequilas are produced from organic agaves that are grown to maturity for at least nine years before careful harvesting. Once the agave is harvested, we slow cook the hearts known as "piñas". During this process, piñas are steamed in brick ovens so their natural sugars come out. Additionally, the heat in the oven brings out the natural moisture in the piñas which is intentionally evaporated so we are able to cultivate the most desirable juices necessary for the next step. Once the most delicious flavors have come out in the piñas, they are crushed to extract the most exotic flavors which are then fermented using our proprietary yeast.

Plata is not aged and the natural colors that come from the slow cooking are filtered out prior to bottling in a stunning crystal clear bottle with blue accent at its base.

The Plata is an outstanding base for cocktails, like the El Burro:
2 oz. Clase Azul Plata

Reposado

1 oz. fresh pressed lime juice
1 oz. ginger beer
Mix the ingredients, float a dash of bitters, garnish with grilled lime.

For many years, tequila connoisseurs have praised Clase Azul Reposado for its superior taste and stunning handmade decanter. By definition, reposado translates to "rested" or "calm" which can certainly influence the experience of sipping this particular Clase Azul which is aged in used American oak barrels for eight months after it has gone through the distillation process. Each bottle is made with high quality white ceramic and then hand painted by artisans in our bottling facility. Attention to detail comes second to none, which is evident when admiring what is considered an iconic bottle.

Sauza 901 Tequila. For a super smooth, triple-distilled premium tequila experience that is a cut above the rest. Every bottle of 100% agave Sauza® 901® is carefully crafted using only the finest blue weber agave. 140 years of tequila-making history and one of the greatest creators of our time come together for a distilling process as unique as the bottle in which it’s served.

The premium agave used to give Sauza® 901® Tequila its distinctive taste arrives at the distillery cleaned, cut and ready to be cooked. Each agave plant, also called a pine, weighs around 65 pounds.

During a visit to the tequila heartland of Jalisco, Mexico , Justin Timberlake was struck with the idea of connecting with his fans by uniting the passion he has for his craft with the art and dedication that goes into every bottle of premium tequila. He set out to tell the story in a way that fully embodies his creative and hardworking, yet easygoing lifestyle. The result is an incredibly smooth premium tequila named for the time when the night gets interesting - 9:01 p.m.

He turned to one of the largest and most storied tequila houses in Mexico – Sauza® Tequila - as a means to reach fans in the broadest way possible. The two icons joined forces to change the way people think about premium tequila with Sauza® 901® - creating a co-branded partnership and a one-of-a-kind spirit.

Patrón Silver. When you're looking for the brand that started the interest in high-end tequila, Patron is commonly cited. Using only the finest 100 percent Weber blue agave, Patrón Silver is handmade in small batches to be smooth, soft and easily mixable. A favorite of tequila connoisseurs worldwide, each bottle is individually crafted by a glass artisan and is hand-numbered for authenticity.

The Silver is crystal clear, with a nose of fresh agave with fruits and citrus. The taste is smooth and sweet, with more notes of fresh agave and citrus. The finish is highlighted with subtle peppery flavor.

Right now, we have an outstanding sale price on the Patrón Silver, 1.75 Liter size (you'll be making margaritas, after all). The Bottle Club® price is $75.99.

Patrón Silver also makes a great base for cocktails, like the Hermosa Sunset:
1 1/2oz Patrón Silver
1/2oz Patrón Citrónge
2oz pomegranate juice
1oz fresh lemon juice
1/2oz simple syrup

In an ice filled mixing glass add all ingredients; shake until well blended. Strain into an ice filled 14 oz. goblet. Garnish: Red currants.