Cielo Blanco Tequila summer cocktails & tasting notes

May 2, 10:16 AMCocktails ExaminerCheri Loughlin

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One of the interesting things to note about tequila is this spirit grown from agave creates controversy. People squabble over which tequila is pure, which one is 100% agave, the brands which care for the environment in proper measure, whether agave syrup is better than Cointreau over Grand Marnier or Triple Sec, whether peppery spice is better than caramel vanilla in the underlying flavor and the list could go on and on. Even though tequila overall is an inoffensive spirit, it creates a love/hate relationship in many when mentioned. For some the reason is tequila happened to be the “go to” liquor in the days of youth when binges, drinking games and the party til dawn spirit overtook level-headedness. With conscientious thinking and responsible drinking being the fashionable and appropriate course of action for sensible adults it is time to shed the thought that tequila is the enemy spirit. In fact tequila is among one of the smoothest of spirits when produced with care.

El Diamante Del Cielo Blanco Tequila leaves a hint of mint with tiny amount of pepper in the middle of the tongue. There is immediate sweetness at first taste with watery feel in the texture. The sweetness seems defined by fresh baby grassiness just shy of bitterness in the faded finish. While some Blanco Tequila’s only seem to fit the profile of mixers, Cielo Blanco makes an excellent neat sipping tequila for those who want something inoffensive, smooth, clean with slight sweetness. Rather than a warm and toasty sipper, I would classify this as a cool spring to warm summer evening sipper; refreshing and light.

In the Pomegranate Blush the essence of Cielo Blanco Tequila is in the background, but disappears just as quickly as the flavor hits the tongue. This particular cocktail either needs a deeper flavored tequila or less pomegranate for those who want to taste the tequila in the follow through. Ironic is the addition of the garnish. For this cocktail it is the typical tequila garnish of lime. Many people think garnishes on cocktails are purely for aesthetic purposes and quite honestly, sometimes they are. But frequently the garnish becomes part of the flavor of the drink through aroma and essential oil essences. In the case of the Pomegranate Blush the flavor becomes flat without the addition of the lime garnish. My usual comment of “tasty sipper” does not apply to this “gulper” cocktail. It is delicious and goes down fast and easy. One could definitely finish off many of these by night’s end. This leads to the question: Why place a $50 tequila in a cocktail which renders the spirit so non-descript?

Pomegranate Blush
1-1/2 ounce El Diamante Del Cielo Blanco
1/2 ounce Grand Marnier
2 ounces Fresh Pomegranate Juice
3/4 ounce Fresh Lemon Juice
1/2 ounce Simple Syrup

Fill shaker with ice. Add all ingredients. Shake well. Pour into white wine glass. Garnish with a lime wheel.

Since this is tequila it would be a shame to leave out the classic margarita. Using a basic recipe formula as a solid foundation for discovery the Cielo Blanco Tequila makes a premium margarita without the need for fancy additions. However the Cielo also does not distinguish itself from any other premium tequila in a discernable way. The flavor profile does not carry through with enough intensity to let the consumer grab hold of the Cielo Blanco brand with definition. However, Cielo has created their own Cielo Margarita which you can find by visiting their website. There are also Old Fashioned, Martini, and Shot recipes. Be sure to take a look around for a new favorite.

Margarita
2 ounces El Diamante Del Cielo Blanco
1 ounce Fresh Lime Juice
1/2 ounce Agave Syrup
Lime Wheel for Garnish

Combine in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well. Strain into a margarita or stemmed glass with ice; with or without salted rim. Garnish with lime wheel.

Out of curiosity I added a half ounce of Presidente Brandy to top off this basic margarita as “market study” if you will. Top Shelf Margaritas show up on cocktail menus quite often for a few dollars more. So what difference does a little dab do? A lot actually. This Intoxicologist would pay more for this particular margarita with Presidente Brandy added. The reason: alone the Cielo Blanco lacked definition in the basic margarita which is quite common. One more complementary flavor adds layering for the palate to play with and savor sending a message to the brain that this Top Shelf Margarita just might be a better dollar value. The lesson in that is a Plain-Jane cocktail deficient in distinctness lacks star power in a consumer’s eye and wallet. Include flair to the flavor of your cocktail allowing the taste buds to sing and dance and the consumer will be more willing to go the extra mile, too.

Once again I dabbled with the unknown. Lightly flavored tea seems to be a nice balance for blanco tequilas in general. Cielo Blanco’s slight pepper with honey sweetness flavor leans more toward a peach tea fruit mix in my opinion as long as it is kept in balance. By that I mean light on the peach and tea so that the flavor of the Cielo Blanco still shines through. POM Wonderful carries a Pomegranate Peach Passion White Tea that seems weak as a traditional tea if one wants to consume it as is, but this delicacy in flavor makes it perfect for blending with the Cielo Blanco. Where steeping traditional tea might come off too strong and bitter, the POM Wonderful tea brings fluid grace to the cocktail with just a tinge of edgy tone. The flavor of pepper in the Cielo Blanco indeed shines through against the peach.

Peach Simplici-Tea – created by The Intoxicologist
2 ounces El Diamante Del Cielo Blanco
3/4 ounces Fresh Lime Juice
2 ounces POM Wonderful Peach Passion White Tea
1/2 ounce Mango Syrup
2 Thinly Sliced Limes for Garnish

Build over ice in a decorative cocktail glass. Garnish with floated limes. Just a thought to keep in mind: lightly flavored teas are a fantastic way to play up Cielo Blanco Tequila all summer long.

Official Tasting Notes for El Diamante Del Cielo Blanco:
Smooth, pure and round flavor bottled from the heart of the agave – clear, pure, floral agave, roasted pepper, oil, and sweet spice aromas. A smooth, round entry leads to a supple, light to medium bodied palate with grilled tropical fruits, honey, pepper, oily nuts, and spice. Finishes with a long fruity fade of roasted pepper, honey, stone fruits, and freshly shelled nuts.

Handcrafted from 100% pure blue agave.
Two Double Gold Medals – 2006 San Francisco World Spirits Competition
92 – One of the highest rated tequilas ever – The Beverage Tasting Institute (BTI)
Four Stars – Highly Recommended – F. Paul Pacult’s Spirit Journal, December 2005

Copyright 2009 Cheri Loughlin – The Intoxicologist – All Rights Reserved

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