Tequila 55 añejo with it's medal-bearing green box.
As Kathie Lee (an avid drinker, but I'm not sure if she enjoys tequila...) sings, "everyone has a story;" and Tequila 55 is no different. It's an ultra-premium tequila that is the vision of Jim (JR) Rios, who was born in '55. Jim's vision was to create his own signature tequila brand distinguished from all others in flavor, presentation and value.
His baby, Tequila 55, comes in a colorful box (the blanco in blue and the añejo in green), and each of the 750ml bottles bears Jim's initials to remind drinkers of his vision.
Tequila 55 añejo is a wonderful sipper, and the blanco has a strong flavor that works well in cocktails.
Tequila 55 Blanco Tasting Notes
The blanco looks clear and pure, with a medium body and thin tears that fall quickly back into the glass. It has a very sweet aroma, with notes of buttery mango, and hints of pear and vanilla. Like Tequila Capaz, 55's cousin from the same distillery, it has a strong buttery agave flavor that settles into a mildly grassy flavor with a creamy floral aftertaste that has just a touch of mint.
Tequila Examiner Grade, Tequila 55 Blanco: B-
Tequila 55 Añejo Tasting Notes
Whiskey and bourbon fans take note; Tequila 55 (which won a Gold Medal at the 2009 Spirits of Mexico) has an añejo that you will enjoy. It has a deep amber hue in the bottle, with dark golden tones. This tequila is aged for a total of two years, spending 18 months in new Tennessee oak barrels and then finished for 6 months in used Cognac barrels. On the nose, Tequila 55 has a nice, solid scent of rested agave, with notes of leather, vanilla, and almond. It's a lively añejo where oak and agave dance on the palate, and culminate in a medium-long finale of flavor that leaves tasters with a fresh aftertaste of deep vanilla, light mint, and solid oak.
Tequila Examiner Grade, Tequila 55 Añejo: A-
Cocktail Mixing Notes
Tequila 55 Blanco is fine to sip, but works better as a mixer. The blanco's strong flavor holds up well in a cocktail, especially one's with tart, citrus flavors of lime and, even moreso, grapefruit. I found the blanco made a very refreshing (and tasty) Paloma. Sipping is recommended for the Tequila 55 Añejo (especially for you whiskey/bourbon fans), but it can also be enjoyed in a margarita. Don't mess with triple sec though, use this recipe that substitutes the sweet and sugary orange liqueur with the sweetness of agave nectar.
About Tequila 55
(From BreakAway Spirits, producer and importer of Tequila 55 and Tequila Capaz)
The tequila distillery..."in the state of Jalisco, Mexico [was] built in 2001...[and] has only one mission in mind, 'to produce Ultra Premium Tequilas that everyone can afford.' Our 90,000 square feet facility boasts the latest, cutting edge technology available in the spirit distillation today. Our innovative techniques start with our hand-picked selection of only the finest Blue Agave from the #1 grower in the world, Jose Guadalupe Hernandez. This allows us to create an ultra premium line of 100% Agave Tequila. Our 'Diffuser' is only one of three in the world. Not only do we use the lastest technology, we have developed unique methods of 'juicing' the Agave allowing us to produce more tequila at the same high standards. We have a full-time staff and master distiller controlling and monitoring the quality of every bottle leaving the plant."
The Compañia Destiladora de Xamay, where Tequila 55 is produced:
Comments