The discerning gent is a fan of a good tequila but there\u2019s plenty about. What\u2019s the difference between the various types available and should I prefer one type over another?<\/strong><\/p>\nFor me, I always request a tequila that is 100% agave, this means 100% of the spirit inside of the bottle is distilled from agave. If it doesn\u2019t say 100% Agave on the bottle it is a mixed tequila which can have as little as 51% agave spirit inside, with the other 49% being made up of spirit distilled from other sugars, normally sugar cane. Once you\u2019re looking at 100% agave tequila the choice mainly comes down to ageing, many bar tenders like myself prefer a young unaged tequila known as a Blanco or Plata, these really show off the green herbaceous notes of the agave and are the best way to really judge a tequila brands quality. Other people might prefer a tequila which has been rested or aged in a barrel, the barrel softens the flavour of the tequila adding notes often associated with whiskies or cognacs for example. If that\u2019s more your thing, go for a Reposado (rested) or Anejo (aged) or even an extra Anejo. It\u2019s completely down to your individual taste and don\u2019t necessarily think that a tequila that has spent longer in a barrel is better than a younger one.<\/p>\n
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If there is one thing I should always remember about drinking tequila, what would that be?<\/strong><\/p>\nRemember the hard work that has gone into making it. It takes between 7-10 years for an individual agave to be mature enough to be used in tequila production. That\u2019s a lot of work to keep it healthy over all that time. It really is a beautifully made, artisanal product and takes much more work to produce than most other spirits.<\/p>\n
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When drinking tequila, should it always be via a shot or is there another way to enjoy this spirit? Is the choice of glass a key consideration for tequila?<\/strong><\/p>\nIt\u2019s up to you. I sip mine most of the time however I am still partial to a shot and love drinking tequila in a cocktail. You can substitute it in to most classics and with great effect often improving on the original. For this stick to one rule of thumb, replace whites spirits with a Blanco or Plata tequila and dark spirits with a Reposado or Anejo. My favourite is replacing the gin in a Last Word cocktail with a Blanco tequila, it\u2019s a great drink.<\/p>\n
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We know that salt and lemon is a tradition with tequila, but is this really the right way to enjoy this drink? Would water or ice help? Or should I consider a mixer too? If so, what type of mixer?<\/strong><\/p>\nIf you are shooting decent 100% agave tequila there is no need for salt and lemon, these combinations have been used for a long time to mask the flavour of poor quality tequila and if it\u2019s a decent tequila then there is really no need.\u00a0 For a lighter style of drinking tequila have it long with lots of ice and soda or tonic. You could also try drinking it like many Mexicans do- straight with Sangrita on the side.<\/p>\n
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How should a discerning gent drink his tequila? Talk us through the steps <\/strong><\/p>\nWhen you are tasting tequila firstly hold the glass up to the light and have a look at the liquid, the colour will give you an idea of what you\u2019re about to taste, check the legs then start with the nose, don\u2019t stick your nose in the glass like a wine as it will be too much, but just hold it over the top of the glass and enjoy. With a younger tequila you will get green, agave notes- an older one will give you caramel and oaky notes. Then from there take your first sip, covering your tongue you will taste all the different notes as the tequila moves over different taste receptors. Repeat the process a few times and then sit back, enjoy and finish the glass.<\/p>\n
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If I wanted to impress my friends\/boss\/father-in-law when at the bar, what type of tequila should I order? <\/strong><\/p>\nAsk him what he normally likes to drink, if he is a gin or a vodka man get him a Blanco or Plata tequila and if he is a whisky or brandy man then move on to the aged stuff. Just make sure it is a quality 100% agave tequila and they will love it.<\/p>\n
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Tell us more about your role \/ involvement with Patron Tequila?<\/strong><\/p>\nLast year I was lucky enough to win the Patr\u00f3n<\/a><\/span> Perfectionist\u2019s Cocktail Competition with a cocktail called Provedence. I focused on an aperitif serve and the drink has gone down with both Patr\u00f3n and my guest\u2019s at Chiltern Firehouse very well. Patr\u00f3n took me to Hacienda Patr\u00f3n in the highlands of Jalisco in April to see how their tequila is made and it was such an amazing trip. The passion and integrity of how Patr\u00f3n make their tequila is incredible, from the production of the tequila to their environmental initiatives, to the way they treat their workers, it was great to see. I am still very close with the Patr\u00f3n team here in the UK and will be part of the judging team for this year\u2019s Patr\u00f3n Perfectionist\u2019s Cocktail Competition.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Continuing the Discerning Drinker Masterclass series, this time Elysium Magazine focuses on tequila with the help of mixologist Dean Shury of Chiltern Firehouse in London.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":8600,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[269,278],"tags":[3356,3355,1731,456,452,3354,805,1063,2813,593,3353,591],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t
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