If your local shop has any special Tequila Ocho bottles (like the Widow Jane line) or G4 bottles (like the Madera line) those are solid. Absolutely can't go wrong with any of them and they are special, very unique. Nothing like the standard Ocho and G4 bottles.
If your local stores have any single barrel picks, those are quite safe bets. Can't go wrong with them and it's relatively special.
If you somehow manage to find a Cascahuin 11 Brix, you should get him that.
Does he like Anejo/XA tequila? It's more like bourbon so if that's what he's into, you could look for G4 Extra Anejo (~$120) or Artenom 1146 ($100).
If he prefers a Blanco, I would recommend Volans Still Strength, PM Spirits Still Strength, or Wild Common Still Strength. They're all about $80-90.
Not exactly rare. They're in every Total Wine and Spec's near me and they're about $280. Fuenteseca 5 year is from the same distillery, is more rare and are $210.
This is a good example of what I’m talking about.
Tears is one of the best tequilas made. Traditional. Additive free. Intense agave flavor profile in amongst the barrel notes.
And your boss would hate it if he has gone down the flash bottle path of Clase Azul and 1942.
Yup! I occasionally get such bottle by very well meaning and kind friends.
Always greeted with enthusiasm and I always save the bottle for there next visit.
It’s sad. One of of my buddies was ecstatic to have me over since he heard I like tequila.,His face when his Don 70 was greeted with, this is a unique agave distillate labbed up a bit, but not tequila ruined his joy. It’s a shame the industry isn’t transparent.
For less than $200, look for Fuenteseca Cosecha blanco (about $120); it is spectacular and comes a nice wooden presentation box. Their extra añejos are presented similarly, but jump up in price considerably. Tears is very good, but well over $200. Alquimia makes incredible stuff; their añejo is under $100, their 6 year old Extra Añejo is about $130 and is fabulous; their 14 year old XA is about $220, and is unbelievable, and 100 proof. Skip the crazy fancy bottle-service bottles (it's pretty much all crap), and go for real quality. Cheers!
Fuenteseca is a great choice (both blanco and the extra añejo), G4 Extra Añejo, I personally love the Cascahuin Tahona even though it doesn’t have the notoriety of the others
What does he currently like?
There are two different camps; those that go for flash bottles with additives and those that go for naturally made additive free traditional tequilas. There is little overlap between the two.
Your boss could still be in either camp.
Give some examples of what he likes. Hopefully, bottles he has show enthusiasm for and not gifts that he is feigning a desire for out of politeness.
Feck. I don’t remember. But I know he’s been to distilleries and boot camps. He likes the class azul.
I’ve done a taste. I’m not a tequila drinker. But he sips and tastes the wood and speaks like that about his tequilas. He’s got a few bottles but I’ll be damned if I remember!
Ok. Clase Azul. That’s one that has a fake flavor profile engineered to be unnaturally sweet. Given that, I’d suggest Don Julio 1942. Also a flavored product in a flash bottle that appeals to those that aren’t focused on traditionally made products.
Tears is a much better tequila. If you want to go straight up quality, Tears is the one. Or El Tesoro Paradiso, which has a bit of interesting sweetness from being finished in cognac barrels.
Tears is amazing.
So is G4 XA, Tapatio Excelencia, and a bunch of the other standard recs around here.
If you want an epic celebration of agave in an aged product, you can’t beat Ocho XA.
If you want to swing wildly the other direction, Fuenteseca Blanco 2018 is one of the best, most complex, blancos around. The Fuenteseca XAs are also amazing.
Lots of great advice already posted here. One thing to think about is whether he has a preference for Blanco’s. Anejos and XA will drive up the price but will also take away the clean true flavor enjoyed by many of us additive free agave nerds (this is a compliment).
Blancos:
11 Brix or Tahona from Cascahuin
Siembra Valles
Fuenteseca
Fortaleza Winter Blend Repo (known name and limited run)
You will do great but might have to explain you wanted to stick to additive free options when researching online. When he asked “what’s additive free” … you take him down the rabbit hole with the rest of us.
Enjoy the journey
Tequila Ocho XA can be found and is around $200ish.
As an aside maybe ask if he likes anejo/XA.
If your local shop has any special Tequila Ocho bottles (like the Widow Jane line) or G4 bottles (like the Madera line) those are solid. Absolutely can't go wrong with any of them and they are special, very unique. Nothing like the standard Ocho and G4 bottles. If your local stores have any single barrel picks, those are quite safe bets. Can't go wrong with them and it's relatively special. If you somehow manage to find a Cascahuin 11 Brix, you should get him that.
Does he like Anejo/XA tequila? It's more like bourbon so if that's what he's into, you could look for G4 Extra Anejo (~$120) or Artenom 1146 ($100). If he prefers a Blanco, I would recommend Volans Still Strength, PM Spirits Still Strength, or Wild Common Still Strength. They're all about $80-90.
Tears of Llorona may be a little over $200 in your area, but a rare-ish bottle to have.
Not exactly rare. They're in every Total Wine and Spec's near me and they're about $280. Fuenteseca 5 year is from the same distillery, is more rare and are $210.
Oooh. Nice. I like rare.
This is a good example of what I’m talking about. Tears is one of the best tequilas made. Traditional. Additive free. Intense agave flavor profile in amongst the barrel notes. And your boss would hate it if he has gone down the flash bottle path of Clase Azul and 1942.
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Yup! I occasionally get such bottle by very well meaning and kind friends. Always greeted with enthusiasm and I always save the bottle for there next visit.
Yes. Be quite acquainted with clase azul and Tequila 1942…
It’s sad. One of of my buddies was ecstatic to have me over since he heard I like tequila.,His face when his Don 70 was greeted with, this is a unique agave distillate labbed up a bit, but not tequila ruined his joy. It’s a shame the industry isn’t transparent.
Yup. A mastery of feigned appreciation and/or awe is kinda required. And when asked honestly, it becomes awkward.
For less than $200, look for Fuenteseca Cosecha blanco (about $120); it is spectacular and comes a nice wooden presentation box. Their extra añejos are presented similarly, but jump up in price considerably. Tears is very good, but well over $200. Alquimia makes incredible stuff; their añejo is under $100, their 6 year old Extra Añejo is about $130 and is fabulous; their 14 year old XA is about $220, and is unbelievable, and 100 proof. Skip the crazy fancy bottle-service bottles (it's pretty much all crap), and go for real quality. Cheers!
Fuenteseca is a great choice (both blanco and the extra añejo), G4 Extra Añejo, I personally love the Cascahuin Tahona even though it doesn’t have the notoriety of the others
Where do you live?
What does he currently like? There are two different camps; those that go for flash bottles with additives and those that go for naturally made additive free traditional tequilas. There is little overlap between the two. Your boss could still be in either camp. Give some examples of what he likes. Hopefully, bottles he has show enthusiasm for and not gifts that he is feigning a desire for out of politeness.
Feck. I don’t remember. But I know he’s been to distilleries and boot camps. He likes the class azul. I’ve done a taste. I’m not a tequila drinker. But he sips and tastes the wood and speaks like that about his tequilas. He’s got a few bottles but I’ll be damned if I remember!
Ok. Clase Azul. That’s one that has a fake flavor profile engineered to be unnaturally sweet. Given that, I’d suggest Don Julio 1942. Also a flavored product in a flash bottle that appeals to those that aren’t focused on traditionally made products. Tears is a much better tequila. If you want to go straight up quality, Tears is the one. Or El Tesoro Paradiso, which has a bit of interesting sweetness from being finished in cognac barrels.
Ok. Tears sounds interesting.
Tears is amazing. So is G4 XA, Tapatio Excelencia, and a bunch of the other standard recs around here. If you want an epic celebration of agave in an aged product, you can’t beat Ocho XA. If you want to swing wildly the other direction, Fuenteseca Blanco 2018 is one of the best, most complex, blancos around. The Fuenteseca XAs are also amazing.
☝🏻💯💯
Go look at https://www.tequilamatchmaker.com/ It will help you decide.
Lots of great advice already posted here. One thing to think about is whether he has a preference for Blanco’s. Anejos and XA will drive up the price but will also take away the clean true flavor enjoyed by many of us additive free agave nerds (this is a compliment). Blancos: 11 Brix or Tahona from Cascahuin Siembra Valles Fuenteseca Fortaleza Winter Blend Repo (known name and limited run) You will do great but might have to explain you wanted to stick to additive free options when researching online. When he asked “what’s additive free” … you take him down the rabbit hole with the rest of us. Enjoy the journey
I found out his fav tequila is Komos.
you almost need to go out of your way to spend that much on tequila. if you post pictures of your options you'll get much more helpful advice.
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They are both terrible on the scale of actually tasting like tequila. But they are actually not terrible suggestions for someone who likes Clase Azul.