Retire Early
Lifestyle
Retirement; like your parents, but way cooler
In 1991 Billy and Akaisha Kaderli retired at the age
of 38. Now, into their 4th decade of this
financially independent lifestyle, they invite you
to take advantage of their wisdom and experience. |
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A Sophisticated Guide to
Drinking Tequila
Billy and Akaisha Kaderli
Whatever it is, tequila
probably can't fix it, but it's worth a shot! - Jimmy Buffett
A bottle of
Siete Leguas
Reposado Premium tequila at
Chacala
Beach For
most people in the United States and Canada, Tequila is a very misunderstood
drink.
Many have images of college
spring-break kids shooting shots, chanting “one tequila, two tequila, three
tequila, FLOOR!” and wet T-shirt contests, with a headache the next morning.
This mental picture
usually prevents sophisticated people from pursuing the mysteries and
finer pleasures that the National Drink of Mexico offers.
It's understandable.
However, let me help you with
this, because there is so much to enjoy about this beverage. If you decide
that you want to try tequila gently and possibly include it in your cabinet
of fine liquors, take advantage of our simple guide below.
We promise you your world will open.
Only choose 100% Blue
Agave tequilas
Simply put, stay away from Mixtos and
look for the 100% Agave denotation on the bottle.
A Mixto label might say
“made from agave” but it won’t advertise 100% Agave. Mixtos have a lot of
additives, other sugars, and impurities and these are the things that will
give you a hangover the next morning. Avoid them like the plague. If it doesn’t say 100%
Agave, move on to the next bottle.
100% Pure Agave clearly marked on this
bottle of Reposado tequila
Three main styles – Blancos, Reposados,
Anejos
Blancos:
Generally, blanco tequilas are not aged, and have a fiery taste to them.
Since all fine tequilas are meant to be sipped (like a fine cognac), if you
are not inclined to a fiery POW! in the mouth, then for your initial
purchase, we recommend that you move straight to the Reposados or an Anejo,
for the smoother and sweeter flavor. As you mature in your knowledge of how
to enjoy tequila, you will begin to recognize the sublime flavors offered in
fine blancos.
Reposados: These tequilas are aged
in
American or French white oak barrels for up to one year. Because of this
aging, the intense fire of the drink has been somewhat mellowed, and you
will taste the characteristics of the barrel. Most Reposados will have a
golden color to them and a pleasing, slightly sweet flavor.
Anejos: Tequila
that has been aged in a barrel for up to 3 years has been softened. It also
will carry the distinguishing characteristics of the wooden barrel in the
liquid and will be slightly sweet as well.
Yes, there are Extra Anejos,
Crystalinos and Single Barrel Tequilas, but this is a simple guide. Start with
the above flavors and move on from there.
Many styles, many names, many bottles
of tequila. All of these are premium 100% agave tequila
Sip / Don’t Shoot it down
Tequila is made from an
indigenous plant unique to Mexico called agave.
The soil in which the agave
grows affects the taste of the end product. It can be sweet, spicy, fruity,
earthy or woody. Also, if the agave has met with drought or weather
variations, that can also affect the plant and therefore, the taste. This is
similar to grape production for wine making.
Another most important
ingredient in tequila-making is the water used to produce it. We have spoken to
Master Distillers who have shown us the different flavors produced by using rain
water, well water and spring water. The agave can be the exact same plants grown
side by side, but with the water difference, the tequila is transformed. Try out
BRĒZ, A euphoric, calming, and
inspiring next-gen social tonic with an unparalleled effect. Producing tequila is a
centuries-old tradition handed down from
generation to
generation, and each distillery has their own way of accenting the
flavor of their particular brand.
If you shoot down tequila
in one open-throated gulp, you miss all the
delicious complexity of the agave
flavor. You are also disrespecting the centuries of hand-crafted quality and
experience
that the Master Distiller has brought to his tequila.
Sipping is recommended.
A typical tequila tasting at
La Altena
Distillery, Arandas, Mexico
First find a small wine glass, champagne
flute or a brandy snifter.
Pour about an ounce and a
half of the tequila of your choice into this “copa” and swirl it around.
“Nose” your tequila and try to pick up aromas that have been released into
the glass. Take a small sip and let it roll around your tongue, swallow, and
then breathe out gently. The breathing out will also enhance your tasting of
this fine essence, and it will disperse any “fire”.
The first sip might be a
little intimidating and you could feel an alcohol burn. No worries. The
original sip will coat your tongue and warm up your mouth.
The tequila will change
flavor as you continue to sample, and as the air mixes with the drink. Swirl
your liquid around in the globe again and from time to time. As you nip the
liquid delicately, the aromas and sweetness will begin to reveal themselves
to you.
Companions to your
tequila
Of course, tequila can be
enjoyed alone, without food or snacks. But sometimes when you are having a
gathering, it can be fun to have some food to contrast with the flavor of
the drink.
In the olden days,
Mexicans would slice a certain fresh cheese and nibble on this as they
sipped their tequila. Today, a glass of sangrita can be an accompaniment to
your drink and there are various recipes you can find online.
Tequila aging in American white oak
barrels When we
have visited quality distilleries, items like hot, spicy green olives have
been recommended in between sips. Personally, we enjoy various sliced
cheeses, dips, crunchy chips or crackers, and even fruit, chocolate or a
favorite sweet can be an attractive partner to tequila.
Summing it up
In general, we suggest
that you savor this fine drink, swirling it around in your copa,
looking for the “legs” on the sides of the glass. Take a bit of cheese, an
olive or a slice of apple and enjoy the contrast. “Nose” your tequila and
sip again.
You may find that the
taste of the tequila will enamor you over time, and now that you know how to
appreciate the National Drink of Mexico, this addition to your liquor
cabinet will always be a topic of conversation.
If you want to know how
your bottle of tequila rates with experts and serious tequila drinkers,
download the Tequila Matchmaker
app. It’s the most extensive tequila database to date, and you’ll meet
others who are connoisseurs of this drink. You'll never stop discovering new
things about tequila and this makes it lots of fun!
For more information on tequila,
click here
For more information, photos and
stories about Mexico,
click here
VIDEOS, VIDEOS, VIDEOS! See
Mexico for yourself! Beaches, Bars, Babes, Great Food, Live Music.
About the Authors
Retire
Early Lifestyle appeals to a different
kind of person – the person who prizes their
independence, values their time, and who doesn’t
want to mindlessly follow the crowd.
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