Of the Mexican Riviera Cruise, Mazatlán was our favorite. After docking at the pier we were escorted by our tour guide, Alex, to a van that would take us on our excursion to a Tequila Tasting At Mazatlán's Old Quarter in the Historical District. Upon arrival in the district we began our walking tour of the art galleries, museums, churches and quaint historic streets. Our group of 12 was perfect from the young to the old with backgrounds from Canada, Australia and the US.
After arriving at the Plazuela Machado, a tree lined square with a wrought iron kiosk in the center, we walked to la Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepcion (The Cathedral of Immaculate Conception). From there we visited an art gallery, walked pass a school of music and various other historical sites before returning to our original point for our Tequila Tasting at Pedro & Lola′s Restaurant & Bar where we would try a variety of Mexico′s most beloved tequilas. Below I have shared our education on the trial of our selected tequila flights.
Herradura Blanco: Herradura Silver is a taste of pure Light. Aged for 45 days in white oak barrels. This 100% blue agave tequila is a phenomenon unto itself. Not traditional in any regard, but filled with tradition in every drop. Herradura Silver is a bright tequila which is magnificent from bottle to glass to palate. It carries its own light and is absolutely perfect for cocktails and among the finest tequilas in the world.
Herradura Reposado: To be classified as reposado (resting), a tequila must be aged for minimum of two months. Herradura Reposado is aged for 11 months, which is in itself a testament to the exact standards. Herradura invented the Reposado Category and in doing so, completely reinvented tequila.
Gran Centenario Reposado: A refined, elegant spirit with a well rounded and balanced character. Unlike most reposado tequilas, Gran Centenario Reposado rests for ten months in French Limousin Oak casks and utilizes the Selección Suave process, whereby older tequila reserves are added achieving the perfect marriage of oak and agave notes. Subtle hints of vanilla and cinnamon, as well as citrus, pear and tropical fruitiness emerge from Gran Centenario Reposado. Its sweet, smooth and complex flavor is delightful when sipped neat, on the rocks or when mixed.
Don Julio Reposado: Said to be silky smooth with a compelling combination of light cinnamon, honey and herbaceous flavors balanced by a lightly smoky taste and dark chocolate notes. Aged for just under a year, Don Julio Reposado is available in the United States along with Don Julio Blanco and Don Julio Anejo.
Tres generaciones Añejo: Sauza Tres Generaciones embodies centuries of family tradition, quality and excellence. The 100% blue agave, ultra premium añejo tequila is aged for up to six years in small oak barrels which results in a tequila of unparalleled richness. It has a color of pale antique gold, an aroma of dry floral and moderate earthy agave, a body of sweet in the mouth with smooth complexity, a taste of a soft blend of pepper and oak, with a light hint of butterscotch and a finish that is clean and smooth.
Los Osuna: The 100% Blue Agave LOS OSUNA is produced with traditional equipment that has been fitted to the state–of–the–art technology, which allows it to soak in its fragrant clay, fruit, flowers and spiced aromas along with the memory of the land, the country and the full enjoyment of nature. Its softness to the palate, achieved only and exclusively with the natural components that so kindly the Blue Agave gives us, places it as the finest and most exquisite of all beverages. This fine blue agave liquor cannot use the name of tequila because it is produced in the rural area of Mazatlán, and this region's produce cannot use the tequila name.
The south of Sinaloa State treasures a rich history in the planting and harvesting of Blue Agave and the production of Mexcal. By years, the lands of the municipality of Mazatlán witnessed the birth of a number of Haciendas – Vinatas – where important amounts of Mexcal were produced. (Mezcal is a term from the Nahuatl "Mexcalmetl" that means Agave.) Only five states of Mexico (certain cities of Guanajuato, Michoacan, Tamaulipas, Nayarit only, and Jalisco, almost in the whole state) can use the Tequila denomination. To be named Tequila, it must contain at least 51% agave, though the purest tequilas contain 100% agave. In less pure tequilas, agave is mixed with corn syrup or sugar cane. The pure tequila producers use the 100% agave on the bottle label as a selling argument of quality. Now you have your facts about Tequila.