My Day in Tequila Town - Sauza
Pros:
Quality production, Sauza tradition. Reasonably priced and widely available.
Cons:
Medium-bodied, some may say it's too mild. Can't think of any real negatives.
The Bottom Line:
100% Blue Agave Tequila. Not the world's best, but very affordable. Some other tequilas cost over $250 per bottle, at least this world-class tequila is affordable.
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Overall Rating:
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Author's Review
Last Wednesday, my wife and I traveled to Tequila, Mexico, in Jalisco state. This is the only place in the world were true Tequila is made.
We visited the Sauza plantation (Rancho El Indio) and saw first hand how the blue agave plant -- from which Tequila is made -- is planted, cultivated and harvested. These are huge plants, taking 8-10 years to mature, and demand for mature agave has grown at such at rate that a dramatic shortage is expected in a few years and prices for tequilas are expected to balloon tremendously. We also visited the Sauza distillery, in Tequila town, to learn how tequila is made.
It is a very simple process, actually, that involves the distillation of the juice from the fermented heart of the starchy agave plant. The core of the plant (and not the stemmy leaves, as some may suspect) is cooked to break down the starches into sugar. The liquid produced from this process is then fermented (about 55 hours) and then twice distilled. The distilled tequila is clear (white) in color.
We also toured the Sauza facilities, inspected the aging room where the Reposado (rested) tequilas (e.g., the Hornitos line) and the Añejo (aged) tequilas are stored in Canadian-made white oak barrels. The Reposado tequila is aged for up to 11 months in large oak casks, while the Añejo tequila is aged from one-to-three years in small, 200-liter oak barrels. Sauza is Mexico's second largest producer of tequila; the largest, of course, is Jose Cuervo.
Tequila Sauza Tres Generaciones
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Sauza's Tres Generaciones Añejo tequila is one of Sauza's top tequila offerings and stands as its current flagship product honoring three generations of Sauza tradition, starting in 1873 with Don Cenobio Sauza and proceeding to the present day through successive generations headed by Don Francisco Javier Sauza and Don Eladio Sauza.
This is a 76 proof (38% alcohol by volume) tequila made from 100% pure Agave. Sauza Tres Generaciones is rated 92 points by Wine Enthusiast magazine (1998): "Delivers a nice somewhat lush feel. Ample flavors are well balanced by spice and light fragrances." It was also awarded a Gold Medal (1998) by the International Wine and Spirits Magazine. I find this to be a very nice, medium-bodied and gentle Añejo tequila.
While in Tequila town, my wife and I enjoyed refreshments and an excellent gourmet meal with the rest of our small, international tour group at Sauza's La Perseverancia Hacienda. Of course, the bar was open and everyone was invited to drink "all the tequila they wanted." Choices were top quality: Sauza Hornitos Reposado and Sauza Tres Generaciones Añejo tequilas, all 100% blue agave tequilas. After having about six or seven shots during the course of the afternoon, I think I developed some fairly descriptive tasting notes. (Yes... that was a snoot-full of tequila -- probably close to 10 ounces during the afternoon -- but I wasn't driving. And: NO. No headaches or hangover the next day.)
Color: Pale straw, golden. No artificial caramel coloring added.
Aroma: A slightly spicy and sweet honey-like nose with creamy agave highlights and some toasted and smokey vanilla tones (from lengthy -- three year -- aging in white oak barrels).
Finish: Somewhat sweet (but not as sweet as Cuervo's Añejo), soft dry flower, elegant earthiness, ripe agave, with a nice warmth and little burn. Short finish, mellow. Very easy on the palate.
The Beverage Testing Institute -- which is an independent beverage testing body in Chicago -- rated this tequila an "89," equal to Don Julio's Añejo offering and placing well above Herradura's Añejo (rated 87) and Reserva del Dueno (rated 84).
Price and Availability
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I purchased a 750 ml bottle of Tequila Sauza Tres Generaciones direct from the distillery for about $270 pesos -- about $30 U.S. This Añejo is available in fairly wide distribution throughout the United States and should cost about $40 per bottle.
Recommendations
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A great sipping tequila, to enjoy like a fine Cognac: serve it in a small brandy snifter and serve at room temperature to preserve the full flavor and the rich agave tequilana aroma.
I enthusiastically recommend this tequila to others. It's a great digestif to enjoy after a hearty meal with a fine Mexican cigar like a Te Amo Churchill or a Santa Clara San Andres Robusto cigar (which I am about to light up).
More information is available at Sauza's website:
http://www.sauza.com.mx/
Verdict: 4½ Stars - Excellent
