Dallas Morning News, February 2000
Tequilas for Sipping
by Louise Owens
 Casa
Noble Crystal
has a refreshing bitter-lemon nose combined with a touch of fresh
green grass. Smooth going in with a touch of lemon-pepper on the
end. Available at Applejacks. |
 Casa
Noble
Reposado
gracefully blends
sumptuous agave aromas with lemon,
thyme
and a delicate smokiness. It's viscous and lush in the mouth with
lots of caramel and fresh herb flavors that linger. Available at Applejacks. |
Texans, even ya'll who got here last month, are known to drink a little tequila now and then. Actually, you drank 700,000 cases last year, outpaced only by folks in California.
Though "margaritas are still the most popular way to drink tequila" according to Mike Verner, head bartender at the Blue Mesa Grill in Lincoln Park, "more and more people are asking for the tasting flight" —three small shots of tequila served side by side on a bed of ice.
Mr. Verner says classics, such as Herradura Anejo and Sauza Triada, are asked for by name as frequently as cult faves such as Porfidio Anejo and Chinaco Anejo. These are not tequilas for slamming with lick of salt and a slice of lemon. No, they're made for sipping. Clue No. 1 that a tequila is for sipping: The lable says "100 percent Blue Agave." Nothing but the juice of the heavenly Agave Tequiliana Weber, which gives the tequila an outdoorsy aroma akin to the inside of a raw potato.
Less expensive tequilas are usually blends of the legal minimum of 51 percent blue agave and cane syrup or other sugars. Now it is time to toss out the salt shaker and lemon, get out the brandy snifter and settle in for some serious sipping of swanky tequilas.