Results of the 2009 Spirits of Mexico tequila tasting competition

The Spirits of Mexico competition.

The third annual Spirits of Mexico competition (presented by The Polished Palate) was held earlier this month in Old Town San Diego. There were 111 entries from 48 brands vying for Best in Category, Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards. Categories included blanco (silver, plata), reposado, añejo, sotol, mescal, and flavors/creams.

The blind tastings took place on September 10-11 at the Best Western Hacienda Hotel’s El Pueblo room. Entries were judged on five key elements including: appearance, aromatics, flavor, mouthfeel and finish, with a maximum possible score of 100 points.

The competition was co-hosted by Robert Plotkin/Bar Media and Jack Robertiello/Drinks Ink. Judges included Charlotte Voisey/William Grant & Sons; Junior Merino/The Liquid Chef; Mario Marquez/Café Coyote; Patrick McCarthy, Bayway Liquors; Larry Auman, Cantina Mayahuel; Diana Barrera, AgaveGal; Carlos Ruiz, Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa; Zack Romaya, Old Town Liquors; David Grapshi, Gemini Spirits and Wine and Michael Morales, Intimate Tequila Tastings

Of particular note, five brands received Gold medals across the board for their Blanco, Reposado and Añejo entries including: tequilas Pueblo Viejo, newcomers Nocaut and El Grado, the newly re-launched Suavemente and Hacienda de Chihuahua Sotol.

Best of Category Awards (blanco, reposado, añejo, extra añejo, sotol, mescal, and flavors/creams)
Gold Awards | Silver Awards | Bronze Awards
(listed in alphabetical order by award)

BEST OF CATEGORY AWARDS

Blanco (Silver, Plata)
Corazon Blanco and Nocaut Blanco (tie)

Reposado
Pueblo Viejo

Añejo
Milagro & Oro Azul (tie)

Extra Añejo
Clase Azul Ultra

Sotol
Hacienda de Chihuahua Silver

Mezcal
Forever Oax Reposado

Flavors/Creams
Casa 1921 Cream

GOLD AWARDS

Tequila Blanco (Silver, Plata) Gold Awards

• Chinaco Blanco
• Corazon Blanco (Tie, Best of Category)
• Corzo Silver
• Don Eduardo Silver
• El Grado Blanco
• La Certeza Blanco
• La Pinata Silver
• Nocaut Blanco (Tie, Best of Category)
• Pueblo Viejo Blanco
• Riazul Premium Silver
• Siete Leguas Blanco
• Tierras Blanco
• Suavemente Blanco
   

Tequila Reposado Gold Awards

• 3 Amigos
• Chinaco
• Clase Azul
• El Grado
• Muchote
• Nocaut
• Penacho Azteca
• Pueblo Viejo (Best of Category)
• Suavemente
• t1-Tequila Uno
   

Tequila Añejo Gold Awards

• Tequila 55
• Capaz
• El Grado
• Milagro (Tie, Best of Category)
• Nocaut
• Orgullo Pueblo Viejo
• Oro Azul (Tie, Best of Category)
• Pueblo Viejo
• Suavemente
   

Tequila Extra Añejo Gold Awards

• Campo Azul
• Clase Azul Ultra (Best of Category)
• Corrido
• t-1 Tequila Uno 11 Anos
   

Sotol Gold Awards

• Hacienda de Chihuahua Silver (Best of Category)
• Hacienda de Chihuahua Reposado
• Hacienda de Chihuahua Anejo
   

Mezcal Gold Awards

• Forever Oax Reposado (Best of Category)
• Forever Oax Silver
   

Tequila Flavors/Creams Gold Awards

• Casa 1921 Tequila Cream (Best of Category)
• Gran Centenario Rosangel
   

SILVER AWARDS

Tequila Blanco (Silver, Plata) Silver Awards

• Aroma Blanco
• BooYa Silver
• Capaz Blanco
• Carreta de Oro Blanco
• Cazadores Blanco
• Clase Azul Plata
• Corrido Cristalino
• Karma Silver
• Lunazul Blanco
• Mejor Blanco
• Milagro Silver
• Milagro Select Barrel Reserve Leyenda Silver
• Oro Azul Blanco
• Siembra Azul Blanco
• t-1 Tequila Uno Blanco
   

Tequila Reposado Silver Awards

• Arette Unique
• Campo Azul
• Carmessi
• Carreta de Oro
• Corazon
• Corrido Single Barrel
• El Caudillo
• El Llano
• La Certeza
• Mejor
   

Tequila Añejo Silver Awards

• Carreta de Oro
• Chinaco
• Corrido Single Barrel
• Corzo
• Don Eduardo
• La Pinata
• Milagro Select Barrel Reserve
• Tierras
   

Tequila Extra Añejo Silver Awards

• Chinaco Negro
• Suavemente
• Voodoo Tiki Tequila Colección Privada de la Familia
• San Matias Gran Reserva Especial
• MEZCAL SILVER AWARDS
• Felino
• Guerrero
   

Tequila Flavors/Creams Silver Awards

• La Pinta Pomegranate Infused Tequila
   

BRONZE AWARDS

Tequila Blanco (Silver/Plata) Bronze Awards

• 3 Amigos Blanco
• 3 Amigos Blanco Organic
• Campo Azul Blanco
• Señor Rio Blanco
   

Tequila Reposado Bronze Awards

• Aroma Amber
• Cazadores
• Corzo
• Don Eduardo
• La Pinata
• Lunazul
• Oro Azul
• Oro de Jalisco
• Siete Leguas
• Tierras
   

Tequila Anejo Bronze Awards

• 3 Amigos
• Aroma Copal
• Campo Azul
• Cazadores
• Don Pilar
• La Certeza
• Oro de Jalisco
• Riazul Premium
• Siete Leguas
   

Tequila Flavors/Creams Bronze Awards

• El Grado Rosa
• Oro de Jalisco Reposado Rosse