Cinco de Mayo first staked its flag in 1862, when Mexico declared victory over the Second French Empire at the Battle of Puebla. Centuries later, the holiday doesn’t get much fanfare south of the border, with much larger annual celebrations regularly dedicated toward Mexican Independence Day and Día de Los Muertos. In the U.S., however, Cinco de Mayo has developed into an all-out party-centric extravaganza.
In honor of the occasion, we’ve rounded up seven agave spirits that exemplify the best of what tequila and mezcal have to offer. Selections range from $30 to upwards of $120.
Ojo de Tigre Joven
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Much has been said about what constitutes a good “gateway” mezcal. Do you go strong and smoky or mellow out the ash with something more herbaceous? Do you go with Agave Espadin — the most common varietal — or opt for one of the 40 other species that mezcal can be distilled with? Most importantly, are we looking at an affordable price tag or a ludicrously expensive one?
Ojo de Tigre brings a little something for everyone. Distilled from a mix of Agave Espadin and Tobala, the brand’s Joven expression boasts poblano pepper, lemon peel and guava flavors with a dash of smoke and wood. Poured into a quality cocktail, the spirit can do heavy lifting without overpowering delicate flavors of citrus or spice.
Contained inside an old-fashioned industrial-esque bottle, Ojo de Tigre is priced at a budget-friendly $30.
Tequila Ocho Plata Blanco
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Tequila Ocho was founded in 2008 by Carlos Camarena, the third-generation master distiller behind El Tesoro and Tapatio. In years since, the three brands have become a power trio of critically acclaimed, highly sought-after spirits within the hardcore agave community.
Tequila Ocho stands out from the crowd with single-estate farming and a dedication to limited bottlings. The brand’s Puntas 2023 expression and frequent collaborations with Brooklyn’s Widow Jane Distillery are well worth seeking out, although most were quickly bought up by collectors after release. If you don’t have the time and money for tequila hunting, Ocho’s flagship Plata Blanco expression won’t steer you wrong.
Retailing for $42, the Blanco dials up vegetal flavors of cooked agave, grass and mint alongside delicately sweet notes of citrus and flowers. This is a fantastic tequila to keep on your bar cart, perfect for solo sipping and cocktail mixing.
Catedral de Mi Padre Espadin + Cuishe
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Founded by father-daughter duo Jeff and Sydney Block in 2022, Catedral de Mi Padre has made a remarkable imprint on the mezcal scene in its short lifespan.
Sourced from different maestro mezcaleros dotted throughout Oaxaca, the brand’s varied collection highlights tried-and-true varietals like Espadin and Mexicano with a flair for high-proof finishes. Catedral’s Espadin + Cuishe Ensamble, available for $80, embodies many of its strongest qualities.
The expression is distilled using artesanal methods before being bottled at a pleasantly high ABV of 47.8%. On the nose, expect aromas of green bell pepper, crushed stone and confectioner’s sugar followed by a palate chock full of citrus and salinity. The blend hits a nice balance between smoke, minerality and fruit that works equally well for mezcal skeptics and die-hards alike. If you have a few extra bucks lying around, we’d also recommend the brand’s Tobala, brimming with funky flavors of grapefruit and toffee.
Siete Leguas Reposado
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Siete Leguas’ iconic horse logo — an ode to Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa — has been a common sight on liquor store shelves since the brand’s founding in 1952. However, it wasn’t until the 1980s, when Leguas’ distillery produced the first-ever iteration of Patron, that the brand started attracting attention in the U.S.
Though Patron has since moved on, Siete Leguas still keeps in touch with its old-school roots. Mule-drawn tahonas and traditional brick ovens elevate all those classic raw tequila notes. Its Reposado, aged for eight months in ex-bourbon barrels, floats with flavors of fresh roasted agave, vanilla, citrus and warming sweetness. Though its bottle may appear unassuming, the spirit contained within is top-tier. Usually costs around $60.
Cambio Reposado
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Following 25 years of fine dining experience in the Chicago area, Chef John Des Rosiers made the jump from eats to sips with the launch of Cambio Tequila. His background in French cuisine shows through in spades; the brand’s expressions are rested in a combination of White Bordeaux, White Burgundy and French oak chardonnay casks that add a distinctly sweet and aromatic finish.
Those intricate barrel influences are best captured in the brand’s Reposado. Swirling with orange peel and tannin on the nose, the palate gives way to flavors of oak, ginger, honey and a noticeable fresh sourdough aftertaste. Best of all, the bottle comes in just under $60, a rarity within the high-end confirmed additive-free agave spirits category.
If you’d like to learn more, find our full interview with Cambio founder John Des Rosiers here.
Mezcal Marca Negra Ensamble
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Marca Negra takes a “one step at a time” approach to its products, recruiting distillers who work with a wide variety of regional and seasonal agave varietals. As a result, its catalog changes constantly — year over year, the spirit contained within an identical bottle may switch production methods and take on an entirely new identity.
The current iteration of its Ensamble, overseen by mezcalero Basilio Pacheco since 2017, has a lot working for it under the surface. The blend is an equal-part mix of Agave Espadin (typically earthy), Mexicano (typically fruity) and Karwinskii (typically herbaceous) bottled a notch below 100-proof. The final result is fittingly complex, balancing flavors of tropical fruit, clay and pepper with an ashy, tobacco-laden finish.
For those in search of a discerning sipper, Marca Negra Ensamble can be picked up for around $78.
Cazcanes No. 7 Añejo
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Many within the tequila enthusiast community consider Fortaleza the gold standard for all things authentic. Tahona-crushed agave, small-batch stone ovens and an additive-free recipe have done much to distinguish the brand as a cult classic — a status that has inflated prices to ludicrous levels on the resale market.
If you’re looking for something equally fantastic, Cazcanes is the brand to beat. Distilled under the same roof as acclaimed imprints like Tres Agaves, Inspiro and Hijole!, Cazcanes’ dedication to its craft shines through bright, buttery flavor and loads of roasted agave notes. Its Añejo, available for around $120, lives up to that reputation with a dessert-soaked palate of butterscotch, baking spice, chocolate and cherry. A fine choice for both tequila and whiskey fans.
Be warned that Cazcanes is quickly approaching the unicorn status of brands like Fortaleza and Blanton’s Bourbon; prices will likely only get higher and higher from here on out.
The post Celebrate Cinco de Mayo 2024 With These 7 Genre-Defining Tequilas and Mezcals first appeared on Bottle Raiders.