![]() It’s a distinction, a departure from the José Cuervos of the liquor shelf and something I’m proud to serve my fellow booze snobs. Their handblown, square-with-rounded-edges purple glass bottle and metal-medallion label is gorgeous. As with higher-end spirits, the aesthetics can add to the imbibing experience, and with this first impression, Casa Noble does not disappoint. ![]() The world is growing more conscious of the fact that tequila is Mexico’s version of Scotch or bourbon.īefore even pouring the first glass, you’ll notice the prominent bottle. It also happens to be one of only three organic tequila producers on the planet. Casa Noble makes some of the best 100 percent agave tequila around, and they’ve been doing it since the 1700s, when they started in Tequila, Jalisco, the spirit’s namesake. Genuine tequila comes from Mexico’s native blue agave plant, and when a tequila is made from 100 percent agave, it’s a far cry from the frat-house flavors of the bottom shelf stuff. This makes the bad tequila harsh, and we all know the burn going down. The crap stuff is typically adulterated with additional alcohol, caramel and corn flavoring. When it comes to tequila, there are stark differences between good and bad. WANT MORE SPIRITS? Highland Park Dark Origins | Taylor Fladgate 1964 | Best American Absinthes Casa Noble Añejo Tequila ($70) is one that sits on the top shelf. Good tequila is a spirit to savor, and the world is growing more conscious of the fact that tequila is Mexico’s version of Scotch or bourbon. But tequila is more than just Mexico’s most popular spirit, bought off a cheap liquor store shelf, drunk by Americans with determination. It may bring back memories, it may erase them altogether. The light green elixir possesses complex and delicate flavors, inclusive of characteristic anise with other herbaceous notes and surprisingly minimal burn considering it's 124 proof.Ah, Tequila. It's pre-ban, pre-Van Gogh's ear absinthe. The French eau de vie is distilled in 130-year-old copper absinthe stills located in the Loire Valley. Breaux replicated a 19th century absinthe using the original Swiss method, meaning no artificial sweeteners, flavors, or colors added. New Orleans native and master absinthe distiller T.A. ![]() Splurge: Nouvelle-Orleans Supérieure ( $125): This absinthe is history in a bottle. ![]() However, it's the perfect stand-in for any cocktail that calls for a touch of the Green Fairy. There really is no such thing as a cheap absinthe. This Legendre Herbsaint Original Liqueur is liquor maker Sazerac Company's reproduction of the apothecary's 1934 recipe. Because of the spirit's ban in the early 1900s, Legendre called his formula "herb saint ," similar to the French pronunciation of absinthe. Marion Legendre created his own wormwood-free absinthe alternative. Steal: Legendre Herbsaint Original Liqueur ( $35): After Prohibition in New Orleans, a former apothecary J. Cooper himself usually doesn’t like picking favorites from his line, but this one is it. It’s not as bacon-y as one would assume, but there's discernible salinity, umami and a heartier flavor as compared to chicken. Splurge: Del Maguey Iberico ( $200): An alternative to the traditional pechuga mezcal, also known as mezcal distilled with chicken. A collaboration between Del Maguey founder Ron Cooper and chef Jose Andres (minibar, D.C.), this unique meaty mezcal is made by suspending a piece of pricey ibérico de bellota ham (from free-range, acorn-eating, black-footed Ibérico pigs) in place of chicken during the third and slowest distillation. The flavors are softer and more approachable than upper tier mezcals, making it more conducive to experimentation. This one is still made from 100-percent Espadin agave, roasted in stone pits, ground by stone, and distilled in copper stills. And just because this is El Silencio’s entry-level mezcal doesn’t mean the quality isn’t on par with its top shelf offerings. Steal: El Silencio Black Bottle ( $30): Thirty dollars is the lowest one can go in mezcals before dipping down into worm-in-the-bottle territory.
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