The Moderately Priced Tequila Thread
 

Forget drinking like a king. We need a thread for each little detail here.

I have two goals:

a) mix into margaritas (real ones, 3 parts tequila, 2 parts lime, 1 part orange liqueur + splash of sweetness and dash of maybe water so we all dont get shitfaced too fast)

ideally: a cheap silver with good agave flavor. Jose and Pepe can stay home in yo mama's toilet tank.

b) sipping libation with awesome flavor and class.

ideally: something aged either a little or a lot, good flavor, not tooooo subtle and enough tequila flavor to make you think of dusty zarapes and burros.

so far my limited research (based on text, not sips) led me to try these:

a) milagro silver, dos manos blanco, 1800 silver

b) herradura anejo



Try to leave out the more premium bottles like Don Julio (so delicious) and the like. "Patron" gets thread crap points.

My favorite is Sauza blue agave tequila silver. It's my staple:
Blue Agave Tequila: 100% Blue Agave Silver Tequila | Sauza®
I like it better than Don Julio.
Around $19 for 750 mL IIRC, often on sale for less at CVS.

I make tequilas the same way as you, using Cointreau, but I add no other sweetener.

BTW I use Nunaturals Stevia drops as sweeter in other drinks - no sugar hit, tastes good, more convenient.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1380831014

Great thread. I've been on a margarita kick lately. I'll have some more specific input later, but I need some guidance in terms of "moderately priced." Around here, a handle (1.75L) of Milagro silver is about $50. I would consider that premium.

I like Camarena for cocktails. This should be closer to $30 - $35 for a handle.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1380830716


Cazadores is a good anejo, but not really cheap. I've got some others, and some good recipes, I'll add later.

A good value priced ($25-30) bottle I've found at Costco:

Tequila Don Pilar

Tried their anejo, sure it's not as good as the 1942 Don Julio (for an extra C note), but not at all bad for that price range.

For margaritas, I just use quervo silver. If I plan on drinking it straight, it is 1800 or if I'm feeling really rich, patron. Our tequila selection is limited and I can't find any 100% agave for under $25.

My margaritas at the house are: 2 shots tequila, 1 shot triple sec, 1 shot lime juice and a dash of agave nectar. I drink on a budget, and while it is better with a nicer tequila and grand marnier, these do for back porch sitting or taco night.

I got some of that camarena while on vacation and was not impressed for the price.

keep in mind I'm in a blue law state where prices are the same at every store.

I consider "cheap" for a silver to be anything under $30 for 750 mL at the ABC store. That puts it just one shelf above the Jose Cuervo fake color shelf. What I can get is pretty limited when you exclude everything from Jose on down.

In some markets, the Milagro is under $20/750 and the Dos Manos is down around $13. Just not here. I may have to bootleg (legally of course).

But honestly, if I'm paying $30 for "cheap" then it's not a huge stretch to move up to top shelf picks even for mixing. It's only another 10 or 15 bucks.

http://www.abc.virginia.gov/Pricelist/TEQUILA.html

ABC does have Camarena for $19.95/750. I may have to investigate.

When I was in Baja last year, the serious Tequila drinkers (serious as a heart attack...) only drank Cazadores.

These guys basically live in Mexico for half the year and are very picky with their Tequilas. They swear by Cazadores. I tried it the night we were celebrating our win and I thought it was OK but I'm not really a tequila guy, outside of a good margarita here or there. These guys drank it straight, in tall glasses, that were full...

I am coming to appreciate that Florida is like a mix of the best and worst of all things American. I am putting our booze laws on the end of the spectrum close to "the best," but not all the way there because of the Sunday rule (no alcohol sales before noon).


I don't like to eat grapefruit but I love it in cocktails. If you've never used it, it goes great with gins and, in this case, as a substitute for the orange liqueur. So, if you are feeling non-traditionalist, I tried a twist on the margarita recently.

3.00 oz Camarena Silver
0.75 oz fresh squeezed lime juice
0.75 oz fresh squeezed grapefruit juice
1.00 oz water
0.50 oz agave nectar

I garnish with grapefruit peel (use a vegetable peeler). Adjust the lime and agave to taste. I tend to like my drinks like I like my women: strong, but still on the sweet side.

I went to the ABC tonight on the way to District Taco. They did not have the Sauza Blue or the Camarena Silver but they did have the regular Sauza silver and Hornitos plata.

I got the hornitos simply because it was 100% agave and just over 20 bucks. I made my recipe above and it's definitely a very easy tequila. It definitely doesn't make itself known much through all the other flavors. I guess it's ok. The marg is very drinkable, but not very agave-ish.

I'm going to try sipping a bit straight up to get more detail out of it.

There's always room for redemption on the other end of the spectrum!

If you haven't already, you could try using some agave nectar as a sweetener instead of simple syrup or stevia.

I have been using 1800 silver and it is very good, though I am going to have to try some of these suggestions when the bottle is empty. My drink of choice is sort of margarita-esque:

2 shots tequila
1 shot triple-sec (or similar)
Juice from 1 lemon (about a shot)
Shaken and served on ice.

Very delicious, and very drunkening.

I used agave nectar. So much easier to mix into a cold drink than the alternatives. but it sticks to my jigger so I just have to squirt it in and hope it's the right amount.

skidude, that's a lot of triple sec.

You're right, it may only be half a shot... it's been a while since I've had one. I've been in a beer mood lately. This thread makes me want a margarita, though. Tonight...

Order of operations:

• Pour agave
• Pour lime juice
• Pour triple sec
• Pour tequila
• Pour water (if adding)

That order should help rinse the agave from the jigger.

I'm a huge fan of Corzo silver (and I suspect I'd like the aged varieties even more but I haven't been able to find them yet) for drinking neat. It's very subtle and smooth. Even though its great by itself,it also pairs well with cucumber and cilantro. Muddle with lime juice and a touch of sugar then add the tequila and you've got a very refreshing drink.

Another one I discovered more recently is Man in Black (silver again) which has a little less overall flavor than the corzo, but it does have a lingering smokey finish, that I particularly enjoy.

Thanks guys, gave me an idea of what to bring with me this week/weekend to my caving trip, TAG event. Found some Sauza Blue, picked up some Patron Citronge, and a big ass bag of limes and lemons, and made a Nalgene full of simple syrup and also bringing a thing of agave nectar. Should be a good time, and perfect weather (70 degree high) for hanging out in the hammock and drinking margaritas.

Corazon de agave keeps winning my family's tequila blind taste tests, typically by overwhelming majority. The camarena Scrappy jack noted in post 3 is our current go-to for mixed drinks.

But Props for this thread Matt, I use the whiskey thread to get ideas for trying new things without wasting money on crap that will otherwise sit forever. I'm sure this thread will deliver as it's been hard to get the wife to get into whiskeys.

I worked in a tequila bar for a year or so. It was in KY, but they tried to keep a lot of good shit outside the norm. I like reposado the best of the 3 by far. Blanco second, and I rarely like añejo.

Anyway...

Reasonably priced marg tequila that I can find anywhere: Hornitos Reposado. Herradura Rep is good too, but there isn't much difference in a marg and last time I checked it's more expensive.

The best I've had (and neither priced too high): Corralejo Rep and/or Hussong's Rep. Corralejo is easy to find around here. I only know one bar in town that has Hussong's.

All the patron I've had is overpriced shit.

This is my favorite post of yours, ever.

Is this it?

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1381275352

Great post; shitty grammar. Try harder. I don't care if you are on a phone.

/toughlove


Also, I find it weird but not completely mind-bottling that someone from Kentucky is posting in the tequila thread.

Tonight:

Apple cider margarita

1.5 shot tequila
1 shot triple sec
Some apple cider.

Is that even a margarita then? Don't think so. On a related note, a slight off topic, I made a pretty awesome frou frou drink the other night, which I am not beyond enjoying.

~ 1 part Caramel Smirnoff vodka
~ 2 part Apple juice/cider
~ few drops of lemon juice for acidity
~ a little cinnamon and sugar mixed in

Shit tastes like apple pie. Good drink to get girls drunk, or guys, since a lot of you here swing that way.

Thanks, I suppose :makeout:

my wife did shots of Corazon while she was dressing for our wedding.

Yep, that's it. They changed the bottles recently, not as breakable.

Ha! same here!

Probabaly not, but I had apple cider, tequila and gave those 2 ingredients a google and came back with apple cider margarita. Figure what could it hurt. Was delish. Would make again.

I love Milagro Silver. I like is as much as Patron and its quite a bit cheaper.

Im not much for mixed drinks, but Ill take a shot of tequila every once in a while.

I'm a Don Julio guy.. The Reposado is a very nice drink but I prefer the Anejo. If you have the jingle, 1942 is some of the best I have ever tasted.

At the virginia state liquor store, DJ 1942 is $65 for 750mL. DJ Anejo is $62.

What is "normal" liquor store street price for the 1942?

My local ABC shows $169.99 for a 750ML....


I'm beginning to think that there aren't any 'Joe' priced tequilas where I live. Nothing I've seen in this thread so far is offered at under $20 for a 750ml.

That, or in comparison to whiskey, tequila isn't as cheap. I'm not sure, I don't think I've ever purchased tequila before now that I think about it...

1942 90-130 !

The Anejo and Reposado are ~$50 and the Blanco is ~$45. The Anejo 70th Anniversary is $70.

The Don Julio 1942 Limited Edition is showing as ~$120 - $140 for a 750mL. The Real Tequila is $390.


You can try Buy Wine, Liquor & Beer Online | Total Wine & More and then enter "pick up at store" and use Florida to see what our pricing is like. They have a HUGE selection.

Olmeca Altos Reposado

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1381362057

I'm not a tequila fan, but this may have converted me.

Here is a review:

Aged 6 to 8 months in ex-Bourbon barrels. Modest amber color. More agave on the nose here. Some citrus, too. Lots and lots of vanilla on the body, with a big and creamy finish that comes across a bit like a cream soda float with vanilla ice cream. Delightful and light — this is actually pretty much exactly what I thought the Plata would taste like as a Reposado. A- / $25

Stores & Products

Tell me I'm not stupid or that I should buy a few bottles of it at this price?

There is some confusion from those first two posters. Click through the Total Wine site and search for "Don Julio." The prices you are listing are in-line with the information I posted.

You are not getting some crazy deal, which I also thought initially.

I figured it out. it is 1942 but it is not THE 1942. it is the 70th anniversary edition 1942. Both are limited edition. The ABC store is just trying to confuse me. I may have to go down there and double check it is not mismarked and winner.

Ahh the Claro! I like that too.

This is the same tall 750ml bottle of the 1942 that Costco carries for $100:
Don Julio 1942 Limited Edition Tequila
...right next to the 1.75ml 'jug' of Patron for $95:
Patron Anejo

Yum. I would buy twelve!

Picked some of this up the other day. My first Reposado ever.

Damn this stuff is good. Good recommendation

I'm just about to the end of one bottle of reposado and one blanco and I've been happy with both of them. They don't carry the big stuff here so they are just 750s but the price is right and they work great for sippers or margs.

WINNER.

Just had some repo up with a single cube of ice and I enjoyed it so much I had to props you.

If you've got a Trader Joes in the area... give their house brand tequila a try.
It's pretty darned tasty.

Spoken like a true Californian who's never left the state.

Seriously, try the Kirkland Signature from Costco. They have Silver, Resposado, and, Anejo versions amazingly good for the price!

The Anejo my favorite is really good tequila, and the Resposado won awards head to head against high priced stuff. The silver is not as good in my opinion lacks flavor.

So glad Washington and Costco helped get the public to change the liquor laws so I don’t have to go to a state run store to buy alcohol.

For margarita I like simple and I despise the taste of most all pre mixes especially the high fructose corn syrup crap.

Tequila, triple sec, fresh squeezed lime juice, and just a touch of Agave syrup to sweeten.

For super quick tasty drink. The Kirkland signature Organic lemonade with taquila and triple sec makes a very tasty margarita. And very cheap.

The Anejo is also pretty good just sipped straight.

http://www.costco.com/Kirkland-Signa...100040801.html

You saved yourself from the same comment as above.

I miss having non-state liquor stores. I suppose I could head into DC, but there are no Costcos around with liquor that I know of.

Do you mean that there are states besides North and South Carolina that have ABC stores???

I remember my time in the south well. Used to see "bootlegging" news stories. In 2010.

Apartments full of booze that would appeal to the folks who needed booze on Sundays...

Surreal.

This isn't the first time I've heard someone recommend Kirkland liquor, wish I lived in a state where Costco could sell it...

Costco in Charleston sell's liquor, well technically it is a separate store built right next to Costco.

An often unknown bit of info: You don't have to be a Costco member to purchase liquor (or cigarettes) at their stores; apparently due to ATF laws/regulations.

Interesting. I've never come across a setup like that in the upstate.

Why do so many of you guys use Triplesec instead of Cointreau??

Cointreau IS triple sec.

in other words: money.
there are some good, short articles on the internets that explain the types of orange liqueurs and how they roughly rank against each other. Cointreau is generally well-regarded for its price but there are cheaper and good enough options out there.

^ Precisely.

Same reason that one needn't waste the Don Julio Añejo when mixing up a batch of poolside margaritas- nobody is going to care that you used Cuervo Gold instead. Save the good stuff for sipping.

I have Cointreau as well but at Costco it is 3X the price of the Triple Sec and twice the price of the Tequila. I can taste the difference but it is not huge. I also like Grand Mainer. They are all just orange flavored liquors. Cointreau is a brand name of Triple Sec. Grand Mainer is made from a base of Cognac it is a bit sweeter and more orange flavored.

montezuma teq. and triple sec for my blended margs. no one will ever complain.

Camarena is good,

I switched from Camarena to Pepe Zevada Z Tequila

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1409415197

Very smooth with blanco, darker colors are nice too ;)

You plebes


Mezcalrita is where its at

Pick pimp creosooty mezcal- quality does matter
Fresh lime
Chipotle powder or suriyp
A tiny bit of shitty ol grand mariner
Some salt rim- preferably some crushed up Maldon. Use table salt and remain in poverty forever

Ice. Cube. Dont blend the fucker

Mezcal makes happy face with chipotle.

Secnd facorite drink of this summer
Is:


Absybth
Lemon
Mint
Vodka
St germaine

Whee

I heart absybth.