Tequila Purchasing Tips for Mexico

I wrote in a previous post about the tequila prices in downtown Cabo San Lucas. I would like to follow up with a quick guide to buying tequila down there and how to bring it back. As mentioned before, stay out of the main tourist areas for purchases. They know that Americans are down there to spend money so they jack up the prices in the main areas. This is also true in the duty free shop at the airport. Besides being a pain in the ass to have them wrap it, put it on the plane for you only to have you repack it before you hit your connecting flight, the duty free shop is no more cheaper than tequila in the US.

Before you go down to Mexico, know what you can get in your area and know what the prices are. It is really not worth it to fly 8 hours each way with drive time to save $5 on a bottle of tequila. If you are going to go down there plan on bringing something back that is not available here. Make sure to do some sampling and ask the locals what they drink. Often in shops you can sample the tequila you want to buy and for some odd reason you can’t, ask the owner what he or she drinks. They take tequila pretty serious down there so the recommendation from the owner will most likely be solid. If you are there for a long period of time, buy a random bottle that you have never tasted and sample it. If you like it, buy a bottle to bring back. If you don’t, buy some margarita mix and use it that way.

When packing the tequila for travel, make sure you put it in the center of your suitcase and wrap it well with clothes and other soft items. I don’t know if you ever look out the window at the people handling your baggage, but most time they are throwing them around like they get points for damages.

Last I checked you can bring back 2 liters per person. However, I have read as little as 1 liter and heard from people down there as much as 3 or even 4 liters. Check with customs to find out what the exact amount is as I am sure it changes.

All Star Lineup

Found this in my photo stash the other day. This is from earlier this year. What a good night that was.

Gila Tequila - Reposado

When my friend Dave said he was going on a trip to Mexico I quickly assigned him a mission. Find me a bottle of tequila that you have never seen on the shelf’s of our local liquor stores. Dave accepted this mission and upon his return he presented me with a unique bottle of tequila that I had never seen before. It is called Gila Tequila named after the poisonous lizard that lives in the deserts of the United States and Mexico. I was unsure of what to expect from a tequila named after a lizard that can kill people, but life is an adventure and sometimes you have to take risks. So Dave and I opened up the bottle and poured a couple of glasses to see what Gila was all about. The box and bottle that the tequila comes in is very well designed and gives it a sophisticated look. When I poured the Gila into the glass it was a vibrant golden color. Gila has a very sweet agave smell that calls the taster to hurry up and drink. The flavor of this reposado is excellent as well, a great agave taste with a sweet vanilla finish. Smooth is an understatement with Gila. You can easily drink a large glass of this tequila. Dave agreed that it was excellent and we quickly poured glass number two. The second glass was every bit as good as the first and it was obvious to me that Gila is tequila that is meant to be enjoyed over a little bit of ice, and not mixer for a Margarita.
Dave came through like a rock star on this mission to Mexico. It was really fun to get a bottle of tequila that was of such good quality but from a smaller distillery. When I was trying to find them online I found some very long lists of tequilas distillers that you would only find in Mexico or in a liquor store that is devoted to specialty tequila’s. Your mission should you chose to accept it is to go out and find tequila in Mexico or in your local specialty liquor stores and find an amazing unknown tequila. Please let me know when you have found something unique and email me the name at dmantineo@cookmanfood.com . I hope you are successful in your mission and good luck.

Tequila Trade Agreement

What is the Tequila Trade Agreement? In 2003 Mexico issues a proposal that would prevent the bulk import of tequila into the United States for bottling purposes. The companies in the US were upset by this because they were saying the Mexico just wanted to create jobs in their country while Mexico said they want to guarantee quality of the product coming into our country. Finally, in January of 2006, the agreement was passed. The agreement allows the continuing of bulk imports of tequila into the US but now there is a "tequila bottlers registry" that monitors the process which helps ensure the process is done in a way as to not lose quality.

Milagro Reposado

I am so thankful for this brand of tequila. Milagro has done a great job and puts out a very smooth, flavorful tequila for an outstanding price. This is what I have come to call my "table tequila". For just a few dollars more than Sauza Hornitos and $20 less than Patron or Don Julio, this stuff has the most flavor and smoothness for the buck. 95% of the time I have a bottle of this in the cabinet and I usually drink it on the rocks. Pick up a bottle if you have not tried it and if you are into Patron or another $50 brand of tequila, this is definitely worth a look. Enjoy

Cazadores Tequila

So when I was a kid drinking Tequila. That sounds like I started drinking at age 8. I think it was more along the lines of age 16. Anyhow my first shot of Tequila went about like this.
I am poured a shot of what was then thought of as Tequila. I down the shot. It burns all the way down. My mouth begins to water. The stomach begins to churn. Sweat begins to bead on my head. Begin looking franticly to find a container to hold the vomit that is coming up any second now. Find no container and begin blowing chunks all over my friend’s kitchen floor. Everyone laughs, except my friend. I look up and say to everyone, “that’s some good stuff right there”.
This sad story has been repeated for far too long. Tequila is not meant to be a vomit inducing drink. I have been educated over the last several years and have discovered a better way. The discovery of good Tequila can be life changing. Instead of feeling like crap the next morning after a night of drinking Tequila, you can wake up feeling great about drinking the juice of the Agave plant.
I am very happy with the Tequila I just found. Cazadores Reposado is a straw color in the bottle with a mildly sweet finish. This is great Tequila to drink over some ice in a big glass because it truly is smooooth. I have enjoyed Cazadores Reposado while eating Chipotle shrimp and non gringo enchiladas. It’s mild Agave flavor is a nice complement to a spicy meal. You may not believe that Tequila is good for anything other than margaritas but if you will trust me and try this and other 100% Agave Tequilas you will find a whole new way to appreciate one Tequila two Tequila Three Tequila – MORE!!!!
The last word about Cazadores Reposado is that it is not a very expensive bottle. I picked this one up at the local liquor store for about $30. Spend a little extra and get the good stuff.
To learn more about this Tequila and the others offered by this distiller Please visit: http://www.cazadores.com/