Masa Azul’s Siembra Spirits Event
is on June 16th!
On Tuesday June 16th at 7:00pm, Masa Azul is hosting an amazing dinner and tasting with Siembra Spirits! David Suro, the owner of Siembra Spirits as well as Tequilas Restaurant in Philadelphia, will be on hand to discuss his artisan line of agave spirits. David is also the founder of the Tequila Interchange Project and Masa Azul is honored to host this event with him!
As an added bonus, Jenny Kessler will be creating the cocktail selections for the evening and joining Jason Lerner behind the bar! Jenny is well-known to many of our followers, having built the cocktail program for the first two years of Masa’s existence! If you have tried the Tour de Mexico, the Pablo, Heart of the Dead and so many other of her creations, you know and love her drinks!
This event only has limited seating left! The cost of this event is $50 per person (plus tax and gratuity). This price includes the four course dinner as well as pours of David’s products. Jenny’s cocktail selections will be available a la carte. Call Jason at 773-687-0300 – advance reservations are required!
Patio season is here! Make sure you check out Masa Azul’s shaded patio this summer to enjoy some great drinks and food!
Don’t feel like going out, but want our food?! Remember that Masa Azul’s entire food menu is available for carryout!
Give them a call to order at 773-687-0300. Or stop by and have a drink while you wait!
Do you have a tequila event or mezcal event coming up?
A pairing dinner at your restaurant?
A local festival?
A tasting at a liquor store?
A Twitter chat with your master distiller?
Tell Us About Your Tequila Event
Please visit our events calendar page and submit your special event so we can share it with our visitors!
Whether you are a brand owner, distributor, salesperson, restaurant or bar owner/manager, or just someone who heard about a tequila or mezcal event, we want to hear about it! Don’t keep it to yourself! Let us know so we can let our readers know!
No matter where your event may be – the United States, United Kingdom, Mexico, Australia, or Wichita – we want to share it with our readers. (They’re everywhere, you know.)
We’re hoping to fill out our calendar with tequila and mezcal events all over the world – and then we hope to attend them all.
So tell us all about your event. No matter how small or large it may be, if it is public, tequila and mezcal lovers want to know.
The 2014 Spirits of Mexico winners have been announced! There is a huge list of winners in both tequila and mezcal this year. What do you think of these brands?
Following are the winners with links to some of our articles & reviews mentioning them:
Tequila Extra Añejo
Tequila Herradura Seleccion Suprema – Best in Show
“A luxurious spirit loaded with character. It has a lustrous amber color, a medium-weight body and a glorious nose of jasmine, fennel, dill, peppercorn, green olives and oaky vanilla. The spiciness and fruity flavors continue on throughout the long, lingering finish.The finish is long, balanced and sublime.”
Dos Armadillos Tequila – Best in Show Packaging
“Nicely textured, richly sweet, intriguingly spicy with a dash of dried herbal earthiness – a well-balanced combination of sweet agave, acid, spice and finish. Charming and enduring.”
Tequila Blanco
Jenni Rivera La Gran Señora – Best in Class
“This blanco is all floral finesse, with some talc and geranium out front. Flavor notes of roasted pumpkin and intense concentrated agave sweetness. Finishes with tang of white pepper and baked squash on the very long lasting finish.”
Tequila Reposado
Jenni Rivera La Gran Señora – Best in Class
“Pretty confectionary nose – banana cream, caramel, coconut and vanilla and a taste of creme brulee distinguish this reposado. All spice on the palate, with a medium body and loads of baked fruits and spice box. Ends with a surprising potent punch – solid gold.”
Tequila Añejo
Milagro – Best in Class
“Slightly maritime aromas of seaweed and salt spray with a touch of caramel. Tastes earthy and vegetal, with a green pepper tang, clove and sandalwood.”
Liqueur
Casa D’Aristi XTA – Best in Class
“Anise, honey, chocolate and orange peel make a harmonious nose; on the palate, syrupy but with enough acidity to carry it through lots of orange and honey notes with spiciness. Well-balanced and intriguing.”
Mezcal Añejo
Los Amantes – Best in Class – TIE
“Savory defines the aromas from this aged mezcal – fish sauce, black vinegar and even tamari. On the palate, we find nectarines and plums dashed with black pepper, some vegetal notes and a mild oaky vanilla quality that leads to a finely balanced mix of smoke, acid, brine, fruit and sweetness. Delightful aged mezcal.”
Mezcal Joven
HPS Epicurean Marca Negra Tobala – Best in Class – TIE
“Complex herbal and roasted fruit nose, with white pepper, vanilla, brine and earth in the mix. Moderately smoky, on the palate it bursts with a briny and limey attack – sweet but big and robust with notes of lime leaf and peaches with the emerging smoke. Very long lasting zip of sweet smoke.”
“Classic aromas of a lightly wood-aged blanco – baking spices including nutmeg, mace and cinnamon, with plenty of agave aromas and flavors. Fresh and well-rounded, finishing brisk and clean.”
Crotalo Spirits Lucha
“Pale yellow hue suggests light aging; sweet roast agave aromas backed with cinnamon opens up into a delicate expression of white flowers, pumpkin and agave. Light and pretty with great licorice finish.”
El Cachanilla El Cachanilla
“An interesting aromatic mix – cotton candy, geranium, pencil shavings at the fore – makes for a compelling opening, and the mild palate becomes robust at the close with an assertive peppery zip.”
Euphoric Spirits Company U4RIK
“Lovely aroma of talc, geranium and paper followed with a dash of dried herbs. Crisp with a slightly bitter appetizing quality on the palate, leading to an assertive, peppery finish.”
Sidney Frank Importing Co Casamigos
“Pretty white flower and cotton candy aromas and a touch of cinnamon. On the palate, it’s crisp, a little briny with some tropical fruit notes. Crisp and compelling finish.”
Tequila Reposado Gold Winner
Sidney Frank Importing Co Casamigos
“Pretty white flower and cotton candy aromas and a touch of cinnamon. On the palate, it’s crisp, a little briny with some tropical fruit notes. Crisp and compelling finish.”
“Classic aromas of a lightly wood-aged blanco – baking spices including nutmeg, mace and cinnamon, with plenty of agave aromas and flavors. Fresh and well-rounded, finishing brisk and clean.”
Crotalo Spirits Lucha
“Pale yellow hue suggests light aging; sweet roast agave aromas backed with cinnamon opens up into a delicate expression of white flowers, pumpkin and agave. Light and pretty with great licorice finish.”
El Cachanilla El Cachanilla
“An interesting aromatic mix – cotton candy, geranium, pencil shavings at the fore – makes for a compelling opening, and the mild palate becomes robust at the close with an assertive peppery zip.”
Euphoric Spirits Company U4RIK
“Lovely aroma of talc, geranium and paper followed with a dash of dried herbs. Crisp with a slightly bitter appetizing quality on the palate, leading to an assertive, peppery finish.”
Sidney Frank Importing Co Casamigos
“Pretty white flower and cotton candy aromas and a touch of cinnamon. On the palate, it’s crisp, a little briny with some tropical fruit notes. Crisp and compelling finish.”
“Power packed nose of brine and spice in a classic expression of a Tequila valley-style reposado. Snappy and well integrated with an impressive intensity. Assertive and mouth-watering.”
Heaven Hill Lunazul
“Earthy and herbal with notes of mint, menthol and yerba buena enhanced by a vanilla sweetness. Medium-bodied with a well-knit balance among sweetness, acidity and fruit with a dash of oaky creaminess. Delicate, refined and a touch of brine at the appetizing finish.”
Muerto Spirits Muerto
“Fills the nose with aromas of cooked agave, vanilla flan and baking spices, notably cinnamon and nutmeg. Great balance between oaky richness and fresh agave flavors in the mouth and another touch of vanilla with mouthwatering acidity and a fresh and pleasing finish.”
Sidney Frank Importing Co Casamigos
“Sturdy nose of talc, grass and coconut; exceedingly smooth with a dash of brine, smoke and very fine limey acidity and vanilla. Finishes pretty and medium-length with appetizing spice cake quality.”
William Grant & Sons Milagro
“Light aromas of tropical fruit, coconut and vanilla; medium bodied, slightly briny with well-knit herbal zing. Crisp, lightly floral and tasty on the finish.”
“Aromas of dill, olives and baked pineapple, with a briny sea salt tang, peaches and vanilla cream. Nicely balanced sweet spice and toffee, with dashes of vanilla, with a subtle spiciness lingering past the finish.”
“Intense aromas of vanilla, cinnamon, brine, green olives and green mango herald a classic Tequila valley-type anejo. Filled with spicy flavors – nutmeg, mace, ripe mango, white pepper and cedar – and intense, it finishes strong but very very tasty. Outstanding.”
Euphoric Spirits Company U4RIK
“Moderate weight and high acid tang meld well with the lovely spice expression. Direct, flavorful, brisk and silky; very fine anejo.”
Garcia Group Spirits Celestial
“Clove, menthol and vanilla characterize this winning anejo’s aromas, with a moderately rich mouthfeel that turns creamy and then spicy rich. At the finish, an impressive spice explosion.”
Heaven Hill Lunazul
“Toasty oak and light tobacco aromas; on the palate, rich, even and oily, with spice notes including star anise, balsam and candy corn. Clean and refreshing finisher.”
Muerto Spirits Muerto
“Richly sweet with loads of vanilla, coconut, candy corn and roasted agave mingling together. Appealing to the sweeter side of the agave but appealing and flavorful, with a pretty finish.”
Pan American Beverage & Tequila Imports, LLC Embajador
“Richly confectioned nose, like pastry cream or cake icing with vanilla and cinnamon notes. On the palate it turns briskly astringent with lip smacking acids, making it very inviting and clean. Finishes tight and tingly with well-balanced spice.”
William Grant & Sons Milagro Select Barrel Reserve
“Opens with a charming cream and caramel confectionary aroma, with hints of menthol and crushed pecans. It’s a sophisticated sipper with a lightly spicy palate, shifting through nutmeg, cinnamon and white pepper, with a pleasing nuttiness on the finish.”
Three Crowns Distributors Jenni Rivera La Gran Señora
“Lush and luscious with a great balance among sweetness, acidity and spice. Great expression that is very, very persistent on the finish with a peppery and pleasing punch. Outstanding.”
Tequila Extra Añejo Gold Winners
Crotalo Spirits Crotalo Tres Marcos 3*5*7
“A deep and rich amber hue with a velvety textured body and an alluring semi-sweet bouquet of vanilla, caramel, fruit and dark chocolate. The palate is loaded with spice, butterscotch, cocoa, vanilla and light peppery notes, all of which persist on the palate for an agreeably long time.” El Cachanilla El Cachanilla Tequila
“A rich amber hue and an alluring bouquet laced with fresh baked aromas of cinnamon, caramel, vanilla and nutmeg. A gentle entry expands into an array of flavors—toasted oak, cinnamon, maple syrup and marzipan, all of which persist on the palate for an agreeably long time.”
International Premium Spirits Corporation Dos Armadillos Tequila
“Nicely textured, richly sweet, intriguingly spicy with a dash of dried herbal earthiness – a well-balanced combination of sweet agave, acid, spice and finish. Charming and enduring.”
Flavored Tequila Gold Winners
Dirty Tequila LLC Dirty Tequila
“Appealing mix of spice and pineapple with crisp agave; a crowd pleasing shot or cocktail ingredient, sweet and spicy at the same time.”
William Grant & Sons Ancho Reyes Chile Liqueur
“Spicy, savory and sweet, this flavored tequila has an appealign earthiness and robust abcho chile zing. Great cocktail modifier sutibale for any tequila or mezcal recipe tweaking. A winner.”
Mezcal Joven Gold Winners
HPS Epicurean Marca Negra Espadin
“Lightly smokey, grappa like in its aromatic appeal, with pumice, chamomile and brine in the mix. Great citric acid crispness, with smoke, fruit and brine wrestling for primacy. In the end, all find their place in this remarkable crisp mezcal.”
Viejo Indecente Mezcal Viejo Indecente Ensamble
“Sweet smoked – cherry wood, smoked peaches and nectarines, with a dash of olive braine create a complex aromatic opening. Full bodied, with a deopth of finish that invites another sip.”
William Grant & Sons Bosscal Mezcal
“Orange creamsicle and vinegar, along with dried herbs and lime zest on the nose; tastes of a beautifully knit smoked fruit platter, spiked with grapefruit juice and a touch of brine.”
Rested Mezcal Gold Winners
Dibela Enterprises 3 Pueblos
“Mint, sage, thyme, menthol, white flowers and soot – what an array of aromas! On the palate, it pops with cinnamon, nutmeg and crisp acidity. A gorgeous mezcal.”
Liqueur Gold Winners
HPS Epicurean Casa D’Aristi Huana
“Tropical fruit, oranges and grapefruit on the nose, with a moderate-dense mouthfeel with loads of tropical, tree and citrus fruit flavor, with a honeyed richness.”
HPS Epicurean Casa D’Aristi Kalani
“Coconut, chocolate and coffee take center stage, dense and mouth-filling, with loads of coconut and chocolate but some balanced acidity. Finishes slightly dry.”
Crotalo Spirits Lucha
El Cachanilla El Cachanilla
Garcia Group Spirits Celestial
Marsalle Company Hacienda Vieja Pan American Beverage & Tequila Imports, LLC Embajador
Sazerac Company Monte Alban
William Grant & Sons Milagro Select Barrel Reserve
Tequila Añejo Silver Winners
Heaven Hill Lunazul Primero
The Legacy Group Campeon
Tequila Extra Añejo Silver Winner
Crotalo Spirits Lucha Tequila
Flavored Tequila Silver Winner
Agave Loco LLC Agave Loco Pepper Cured Tequila
Mezcal Joven Silver Winners
Dibela Enterprises 3 Pueblos
HPS Epicurean Marca Negra Dobadan
HPS Epicurean Marca Negra Ensamble
Viejo Indecente Mezcal Viejo Indecente Espadin
William Grant & Sons Montelobos
Rested Mezcal Silver Winner
Dibela Enterprises Kilometro 70
Tequila Blanco Bronze Winners
Chamucos Spirits LLC Palm Bay International
Garcia Group Spirits Celestial Jim Beam Sauza 901 Silver
Marsalle Company Hacienda Vieja
Muerto Spirits Muerto
Revel Spirits Inc Revel Avila Agave Spirit
Sazerac Company Monte Alban
Tequila Reposado Bronze Winners
Brown Forman El Jimador
Palm Bay International Chamucos
The Legacy Group Campeon
Tequila Añejo Bronze Winners
Crotalo Spirits Lucha
Marsalle Company Don Felix
Palm Bay International Chamucos
Get Back in the School Spirit: Test Your Taste Buds with Peligroso Tequila
Peligroso Tequila Featured from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm , Saturday, September 13th
Summer is drawing to a close and tequila class is in session! Following in the back to school spirit, La Fogata is once again schooling their guests in the nuances of tequila during a free tasting on La Fogata’s patio. Who knew learning could be so fun and delicious??
Based on their past experience with the drink, most people tend to shy away from tequila. While “one tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor” might have been something you were used to hearing in college, thankfully both tequila and you have grown up. Top shelf tequilas are made with only 100% agave and are distilled to perfection, removing any impurities that would cause a pounding headache the next day. The cheaper tequilas may have also been mixed with sugars or other additives, making them more likely to give you a hangover. The pure, grown-up version of the spirit gives you all the fun and flavor, minus the hangovers.
Forget everything you know about tequila and let the masters at La Fogata educate you. When drank straight up, tequila is meant to be sipped and savored like a fine scotch or bourbon, rather than taken as a shot. Swirl the tequila in the glass, take a small sip and swish the liquid around your mouth for a few seconds, allowing your taste buds to pick up on the tequila’s unique flavors. Swallow, enjoy and repeat—no salt or lime required!
The free tasting table will feature the premium tequila served both straight up and mixed in one of La Fogata’s award-winning margaritas. The tasting table will be open on La Fogata’s main patio from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 13. But if you can’t make the tequila tasting, don’t worry: La Fogata is featuring Peligroso throughout the month of September, so you have the opportunity to try the tequila by ordering it in your favorite drink at La Fogata.
Featuring longtime favorites alongside all-new cocktails, aperitifs and margaritas inspired by member of La Fogata’s “extended family”—its most loyal guests—the restaurant’s new drink menu is the perfect way to expand your drink palette while exploring tequila flavors. Enjoy a fabulous night at La Fogata on Saturday, September 13th, and before you head to your table for an amazing meal, be sure to stop by the tequila tasting table to learn more about Peligroso.
For more information on La Fogata, visit www.lafogata.com or call 210-340-1337.
About La Fogata—Offering authentic Mexican cuisine made with fresh ingredients from traditional recipes, La Fogata has made its mark on San Antonio with fabulous food, welcoming staff and a lively, upbeat atmosphere that never fails to deliver a smile. Known for its award-winning margaritas, fire-roasted salsa and its terrific outdoor dining on patios filled foliage, fountains and mariachis, the restaurant encompasses almost three city blocks and is considered the place to take out-of-town visitors, the spot to celebrate special occasions and the place to go when you want an authentic Mexican meal without ever leaving San Antonio. Founded in 1978, the restaurant’s mission is to create happiness. La Fogata is located at 2427 Vance Jackson Rd., just 12 minutes from downtown San Antonio. For more information, visit www.lafogata.com.
Announcement provided by request and does not represent the opinion or endorsement of Tequila Aficionado in any form.
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Learn all about tequila from field to glass and then get paid to share your love of agave spirits with others! Buy Them Both Now!
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Based on their past experience with the drink, most people tend to shy away from tequila. While “one tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor” might have been something you were used to hearing in college, thankfully both tequila and you have grown up. Top shelf tequilas are made with only 100% agave and are distilled to perfection, removing any impurities that would cause a pounding headache the next day. The cheaper tequilas may have also been mixed with sugars or other additives, making them more likely to give you a hangover. The pure, grown-up version of the spirit gives you all the fun and flavor, minus the hangovers.
The free tasting table will feature the premium tequila served both straight up and mixed in one of La Fogata’s award-winning margaritas. The tasting table will be open on La Fogata’s main patio from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 13. But if you can’t make the tequila tasting, don’t worry: La Fogata is featuring Peligroso throughout the month of September, so you have the opportunity to try the tequila by ordering it in your favorite drink at La Fogata.