Blather

January 13, 2009

New WE decks

Looking forward to the new WE artist series decks that are supposed to be out in a week or two. I particularly want to grab the Ian Johnson Jovontae Turner 8" model – very nice work from Ian, as usual.

Great video of Jovontae on the WE blog too.

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January 11, 2009

Tequila, narrowing down my favorites

Somewhere in the past 6+ months I have acquired a taste for tequila, so much so that it has regularly been my drink of choice during that time (that an the occasional White Lightening American Wheat Ale from Speakeasy Brewery here in SF). My initial taste-tests taught me that I prefer the longer aged añejo tequila over the lesser aged reposado or the unaged silver styles. Some favorites I have identified in my tastings so far are:

#1 Corzo Añejo (the reposado is quite good too) – This tequila is very well balanced from the identifiable agave flavor, the smoothness from its aging process which brings out flavors of almond and vanilla and the sharp, but clean and round finish. This is still holding up as a personal favorite. The Corzo bottle is quite cool with its imperfect waterfall pour and modern rectangle shape. http://www.tequila.net/tequila_reviews/anejos/corzo_anejo.html

#2 Clase Azul Reposado (these folks make an añejo, but they only produce 100 bottles per year and the price is around $1,700 per bottle) – The Clase Azul is probably the smoothest tequila I have tasted so far. All of the characteristics from the aging are present from the vanilla and the almond, but the agave flavor is a bit hidden and the finish is so smooth you sometimes thing it's a cognac. If for no other reason, the vase-like bottle almost justifies the purchase, at least once, just to see what's inside. http://www.tequila.net/tequila_reviews/reposados/clase_azul_reposado_tequila.html

#3 Tonala Añjo – I just tried this tequila over the weekend and it grew on me quickly. Again, the usual vanilla and almond traits are present, but this tequila has a strong pepper-like spice in the finish. This slight burn somewhat masks the delicate agave flavor, but after your mouth acclimates to the heat you can begin to identify the other flavors. Again, the bottle is definitely interesting as the Tonala comes in a clay jug that has been hand painted to enhance it's decorative accents. http://www.tequila.net/tequila_reviews/anejos/tonala_anejo.html

Next on the list to try is the Casa Noble Extra Añejo Reserve, I'm not sure what "extra añejo reserve" means, but I would guess that this one is aged longer than the typical 11-24 month variety. It looks like this tequila has won some fairly prestigious awards and it will likely compare to the Clase Azul Reposado, hopefully I'll find out sooner than later. http://www.tequila.net/tequila_reviews/extra_anejos/casa_noble_tequila_extra_anejo.html