It wasn't until traveling to the Mexican state of Guerrero that I became interested in tequila, perhaps the most misunderstood spirit around. More than just a quick and not particularly tasty means to drunkenness, a 100% agave reposado or a three year aged anejo can actually be...delicious. So when I heard that Malo, a popular Mexican restaurant in Silver Lake, was launching a Tequila Appreciation Society with a tequila tasting, I signed right up. In addition to learning about some great brands and snacking on ground beef and pickle tacos, I caught up with Malo's Bar Manager, Rhachel Shaw, who shared a perfect margarita recipe along with her foolproof rules for tequila acquisitions. But first, a quick tour through some of the evening's highlights:
Malo Bar Manager Rhachel Shaw's Tips for Picking A Great Bottle:
1. Don't go for the gold:
Any tequila labeled gold is what they call a mixto. Legally, mixtos can contain one or more of the following ingredients: caramel coloring, natural oak or encino oak extract, glycerin and sugar-based syrup. This is what most people drink that gives them the worst hangover of their life and makes them swear off tequila. Always make sure the bottle is labeled with 100% blue agave.
2. Ignore marketing:
Tequila has some of the most beautiful hand made bottles of any spirit. That being said, just because the bottle is beautiful it doesn't mean the tequila is good. The same goes for price. Don't discount a tequila just because it's affordable.
3. Experiment and ask a professional:
Probably the best way to pick a good tequila is to go to a bar and taste some. Ask the bartenders for help. If you can't do that, buy some airplane sized bottles and see which ones you like the best. That way you can try more without making the commitment of buying a full-size bottle. Try the different expressions (silver, reposado, and anejo) to see which you gravitate to. Silvers tend to be spicier, while reposados and anejos start to be more mellow and take on flavors from the wood they are aged in. See what you like the best.
Malo's Market Fresh Margarita
Ingredients:
2-3 pieces of fresh fruits (use whatever is in season - anything from blackberries to blood oranges)
1/2 oz. agave nectar
1 oz. fresh squeezed lime juice
1 3/4 oz. Herradura Silver TequilaDirections:
Muddle the fruit, agave nectar and lime together. Add tequila and ice.
Shake and serve.
For details on upcoming events and more information on Malo's Tequila Appreciation Society, visit malorestaurant.com.
Photographs by Alex de Cordoba
Chef Speak is a bi-monthly column by LA-enthusiast Heather Taylor in which she explores LA's diverse and dynamic food culture, featuring interviews with Angeleno chefs of-the-moment, seasonal recipes, and rising restaurants.
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I agree about no ice with fine spirits unless it is absolutely the tradition(scotch & such) Freeze your shot glasses people!
Does Anyone know where you can find Encantada Mescal? I used to be able to get it when I lived In Arizona.
You should have a tasting of Mezcal. Del Maguey is probably the best currently available in the U.S. market.
Go and taste any Corzo ta-kill-ya(rectangular bottle with round hole& cork), try the type you normally go for first; silver, repo or anejo. I guarantee that you will change your stance on Patron.
I have tasted an average number of tequilas, and have never quite enjoyed the flavor(shot) until I tried Corzo. It may just be my taste, but every person I have turned on to it seems to agree with me.
Socal
It is interesting to see how the plant is transformed into the final product.
The NOM designation is important info because it tells where the distillery is registered.
Each distillery can make multiple different brands.
Cuervo makes excellent Tequila, and crap. Try the La Familia version. It is like cognac. You should be so lucky to see the vaults of that great house of agave.
Tequila has more nutritional properties than almost any other spirit.
Look for a NOM designation with only one brand. That usually means an estate grown and bottled tequila.
One of the best tequileras was NOM 1141, Perfidio. They lost their NOM status for selling adulterated barrels. They mixed in lesser stuff and sold it as puro.
Me gusta tequila.
You should come down to OC for the big tequila event by Hi-Times. I think it is on April 24 or 25th...40-50 different tequilas for tasting...food...it is a neat event.
Nice article...