We run lots of spirits opinions on this luxurious journey weblog, however we’re not within the behavior of going out and spending $100, $200, or extra on a bottle of premium tequila. So once we have been staying on the St. Regis Punta Mita just lately and obtained the prospect to do a premium tequila tasting with an skilled Mexican bartender and a tequila professional, I jumped on it and made certain to take plenty of notes.
We’ve posted a brand new evaluation of the St. Regis Punta Mita and the place is trying nice after a current $45 million renovation. A part of that went into revamping the foyer and going from conventional to extra modern in the feel and appear. On the finish of the foyer is a superb bar with 117 sorts of 100% blue agave tequila bottles.
We actually went top-shelf with this tasting although, attempting issues which can be often not going to point out up on the swim-up bar at an all-inclusive resort. A few of them you possibly can’t even discover in a retailer.
A Premium Tequila Tasting Flight Spherical 1: Silver and Reposado
For these tequila tastings, I obtained a pour in an excellent glass for tasting tequila and there was some sort of small chunk plate accompanying it that the planners paired. This additionally served to cleanse the palate between bottles.
As typical with tequila tastings, we began with the youngest and moved to the one with essentially the most time within the barrel. We tasted a silver/white tequila with no ageing then moved on to reposado, joven (a mix), añejo, and additional añejo.
Santarena Natural Silver
We began out with one thing the place the agave shines by means of, with no time ageing in a barrel. Santarena Silver tequila is among the few that’s licensed natural, although in actuality there’s not a lot fertilizer or pesticides within the combine with most tequila manufacturers anyway: agave is a a lot heartier plant than corn, grapes, or potatoes. That’s why you see it rising wild, not simply cultivated in farmers’ fields.
Santarena can be extra like a winemaker as an alternative of only a distiller, creating batches of tequila made out of single agave fields, no mixing and matching from completely different areas. They’re additionally a low-volume producer because of this. The most important rounds they produce are simply 6,000 bottles, whereas some are lower than 2,000. So when you’ve got an opportunity to do this, it’s a uncommon deal with.
Our sampling was from the Piedra batch of 2020, quantity 254 of two,066. Additionally they make a kosher model!
This was a really clean silver tequila that goes down simple, however has loads of delicate taste hints that shine by means of. It additionally got here with a beautiful ceviche tostada that regarded as fairly because it tasted. We have been off to a superb begin with Santarena tequila, a brand new one for me. See extra about them right here.
Casa Dragones Reposado
We’ve posted a evaluation of Casa Dragones Joven previously and I must be a giant fan of this model since they’re based mostly proper down the highway from me in San Miguel de Allende. I’ve had hassle getting previous the price-to-payoff ratio although as I’ve discovered others I like higher at half the value and the bottle isn’t all that spectacular.
I used to be happy with this Casa Dragones reposado although, aged in Japanese oak barrels as an alternative of the standard American or French. That provides it a bit completely different nostril and end than the standard.
It in all probability didn’t harm that it was paired with a scrumptious lobster croquette with chipotle sauce, a mouth-watering mixture. I’m nonetheless not able to go plop down three figures for it, however I actually loved attempting one other one from their secure at this tequila tasting.
Clase Azul Tequila Gold (Joven)
For those who keep in a luxurious resort in Mexico anyplace, you’re sure to see Clase Azul bottles on show in outstanding positions within the bar areas and eating places. The reason being, they’re a number of the prettiest bottles round, together with the ever-present white and blue hand-painted porcelain bottles they promote essentially the most of with their reposado model inside. You possibly can see our evaluation of it at that hyperlink.
I had by no means tried this Gold model although and it’s one thing you don’t see so usually within the tequila world: a “joven” mix of three completely different ageing ranges. Let’s take it from the supply on this one:
This joven tequila combines Clase Azul Tequila Plata, a particular reposado tequila matured in French oak casks and an additional añejo completed in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks.
That’s rather a lot happening on this gold and black bottle, which is supposed to evoke a Mexican sundown. My tasting information Felipe defined that every little thing you see on a Clase Azul bottle has some sort of symbolism concerned. I additionally discovered one thing new: the stopper on the prime is a bell, meant to be dinged when it’s time to begin pouring.
This mix was extra cohesive than I anticipated. Quite that making a conflict, the varied tasting parts performed properly off one another and the entire actually was higher than its particular person components. One criticism I’ve heard of their reposado model is that it’s too candy, higher for dessert than for informal sipping. This mix tones that down slightly and the anejo provides extra heft. It was particularly good with the fish taco that magically appeared, with avocado and pico de gallo.
Tasting Spherical 2: Premium Anejo
Whenever you begin moving into the tequila manufacturers you see going for $150, $300, or extra at responsibility free, these are often going to be anejo or further anejo ones which have spent at the least a 12 months ageing, plus they’re in some sort of particular bottle that’s going to look spectacular as a present. Typically you’re paying for the packaging as a lot as what’s inside, however one of the best ones stay as much as the primary impression.
Usually, añejo tequila have to be aged a couple of 12 months (the utmost for a reposado) and a most of three, in barrels that maintain 600 liters max. (So no big wood barrels such as you typically see used for wine or cider.) Those tagged as further añejo should spend at the least three years within the barrel. It is best to attempt one among these in the event you’re a fan of aged rum, Scotch, bourbon, or cognac.
There’s probably not a most, however in Mexico’s local weather, when you get previous 5 years it begins to develop into counter-productive. The barrel flavors overpower the spirit.
Right here’s what we tried from the older manufacturers.
Maestro Dobel Atelier
We’ve written about Maestro Dobel earlier than and whereas they’re finest recognized for kicking off the Cristalino gimmick of bleaching out aged tequila making it look clear, we do like their reposado and añejo variations that we’ve tried.
It is a Cuervo model, however as with Reserva de la Familia, there’s a component of collectability with this Maestro Dobel Atelier launch. “This one is supposed to honor the charros,” stated my bartender Hugo as he poured, the Mexican cowboys you see competing in rodeo-like competitions throughout Mexico. It is available in a reasonably hand-painted bottle that basically stands out from the group on the shelf. There are 5 completely different variations annually, throughout a special theme. (The 2023 model honors the boats utilized in Xochimilco, outdoors of Mexico Metropolis. The 2021 bottles have been impressed by piñatas.)
This spirit retails for $199, so I used to be anticipating huge issues, and it did style dearer and complicated than your typical aged tequila. It was a bit spicier than the norm and the character actually modified because it moved throughout the tongue, with a pleasant lingering sweetness on the finish that paired properly with the fried shrimp it got here with. It is available in a pleasant present field in the event you’re shopping for it at retail.
Gran Centenario Gallardo
For those who see this one in a bar and also you’re able to throw down some money to have fun, chances are you’ll not need to hesitate. For those who go to the online web page for this explicit premium tequila, there’s a sign-up for to get on a notification checklist for when it turns into obtainable once more. Once they say “restricted version,” they imply it. A 2024 article I discovered on-line stated, “There are solely 679 bottles presently obtainable to retailers within the U.S.”
So this was an actual deal with throughout our premium tequila tasting and it actually elevated the entire expeirence. It obtained to attempt one thing I’m not very more likely to run throughout once more — or pay for because it’s $600 for a bottle. What a nice bottle it’s although, particularly in the event you’re a fan of Artwork Deco model. It undoubtedly stands out as a departure from the norm. See pics and extra about it right here.
Gran Centenario is a part of the Centenario Tequila assortment, which is the other of uncommon on the low finish. We’ve reviewed it earlier than as a result of it’s one of many best manufacturers to search out in Mexico, perhaps one of the best vendor in that nation among the many 100% blue agave choices, relying on whose press launch you imagine. The model is a part of the portfolio of the world’s largest producer, similar to the one above, the home of Cuervo.
As we’ve stated many instances earlier than, don’t decide Jose Cuervo by its namesake mixto headache producer that’s not 100% agave. The manufacturers they make which can be pure agave, which is most of them, are fairly good. This Gallardo tequila is among the finest ones I’ve tasted all 12 months, so I’m glad they saved it for final.
I sort of cringed slightly when Felipe poured it over a giant dense ice dice since we’re so conditioned to suppose {that a} premium darkish spirit must be sipped neat. “It’s actually sizzling on this open-air foyer within the afternoon,” Felipe stated, “so it’s refreshing to have this on ice as an alternative together with your dessert. Belief me, you’ll prefer it.”
He was proper: it tasted downright good this manner. The additional añejo tequila, a mix of barrels aged for 3 to 5 years, actually benefitted from the ice taking slightly of the oak edge off together with the pairing of chocolate cake with dulce de leche. Yum!
As you’d in all probability count on, this premium tequila tasting with meals pairings just isn’t low-cost. A few of these tequila manufacturers individually value three figures for a shot in the event you order off the menu and right here you’re getting 5 samplings. For those who’re a tequila lover although, that is heaven. See extra particulars at the St. Regis actions web page.
Concerning the St. Regis Punta Mita
Whereas there are fairly just a few resorts north of Puerto Vallarta which have “Punta de Mita” of their title, solely two of them are literally contained in the manned gates of the upscale Punta Mita growth of tons of of prime acres. It’s the place a few of Mexico’s most unique villas are situated and the place you possibly can play two of one of the best golf programs on the Pacific Coast outdoors of Baja. One of many two luxurious resorts you possibly can keep in there’s The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort.
The 4 Seasons opened on the very finish of the final century, when only some properties have been dotted across the space and solely one of many golf programs was completed. By the point the St. Regis Punta Mita got here alongside, the unique gated neighborhood was a lot additional alongside and phrase was getting out. We reviewed the property quickly after it opened and have gone again twice. This time we have been checking it out after a significant $45 million renovation. Chill together with your favourite beverage and are available alongside on a property tour!
The important thing promoting factors of this resort are nonetheless in place. It’s on a beautiful stretch of ocean going through an offshore island, there are three lovely infinity swimming pools going through the ocean, and all of the rooms on this oceanfront luxurious resort have a large furnished balcony or terrace to get pleasure from.
This resort spreads out alongside the water and has a seaside to itself, however it’s compact sufficient to get round on foot. That is particularly simple in the event you’re staying at one of many beachfront villas with its personal plunge pool and kitchen. When it’s time to enterprise out, you simply go left, proper, or up the hill to have a alternative of a number of eating places. These vary from a beachfront toes-in-the-sand place for lunch to high-end Carolina, the place the tasting menu with wine pairings is pleasant.
There’s a full spa right here that can aid you to chill out much more. It is a romantic spot that hosts many celebratory events and the staffers have a protracted checklist of the way you possibly can create a memorable trip for 2.
One distinctive side at this St. Regis resort is the devoted butler program, the place one particular person is your predominant contact all through the keep, taking good care of all of your wants. Certain, typically there might be a butler #2 when the primary will get a time without work, however both approach you’re speaking by means of WhatsApp to get what you have to make your keep great.
St. Regis is a part of the Marriott household, so you possibly can earn or money in loyalty factors right here, a giant benefit for enterprise vacationers who’ve elite standing. As a visitor right here, you’ve got entry to the golf programs and tennis heart services within the complicated, each off-limits to most people.
See our full evaluation of The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort in Riviera Nayarit.
