Tequila Tasting @ FIGHQ, Friday, 3/14

In another thread...

figmolly wrote:

germuska wrote:I would probably be most interested in a tequila tasting,

Who's organizing? I'm so there.

It turns out that the answer to this question is "we are!"

Molly has volunteered the FIG catering space in Pilsen. I've volunteered.... er, to post this, and to try to wrangle the event into shape.

We delayed posting for a little while 'cause we wanted to try to have a "plan," but nothing has really materialized, so we figured we'd throw it open to LTH and work it out on the fly.

In the interest of keeping the event modestly sized, we'll cap attendance at around 15-20 people. For now, assume that if you RSVP, that you are committing to bringing a decent bottle of tequila ($30-50). Once we get a handle on who's coming, we can calibrate whether it makes sense for everyone to bring a bottle, or if some folks should contribute in some other way. We'll also want to make sure that we don't have folks bringing the same bottle.

Anyone with suggestions for refining the logistics is encouraged to speak up!

Friday, March 14th 6pm
1850 S. Blue Island Ave. (between Ashland and Racine)

me +1

I don't have any tequila in the liquor cabinet here, other than a basic Cuervo, but I'll be happy to pick something up on my next Binny's run if there's a special bottle someone wants to suggest.

Me +1 as well. I'm so glad you are doing this. Let me know if I can bring anything in addition to tequila. Perhaps some guacamole?

I'd love to attend, though I must admit tequila ignorance. If someone could float a suggestion for a tequila to bring or another way to participate, I would be grateful.

I think as we get closer to the date and a more stable list of attendees down, we can refine this, but with tequila there is another axis of tasting comparison besides manufacturer: the age gradations make for interesting comparisons between the product of a single maker.

It would probably be interesting to compare blanco to reposado to añejo within a single manufacturer's offerings. If we do that "strictly," it divides by three the number of makers whose wares we might try, but if most people coming are not particularly widely experienced with tequila drinking, then it might be better to stick to a few well-regarded manufacturers. We could also not do it "strictly" but simply try to ensure that we have at least one or two manufacturers for whom we have at least two of the age levels. It would probably also be interesting to have a mezcal or two. I have very little experience with mezcal.

My favorite producer is Herradura, and my favorite tequila is Herradura añejo. I'll probably bring that and trust that my opportunity to try other things will be satisfied by other people's bottles. I think Herradura is a fine producer for whom to try a vertical comparison, even if that may mean that my trying-new-things is lessened. Certainly, we could "get vertical" for other manufacturers instead of or in addition to Herradura.

Here are some past threads on tequila:

Don Julio Tequila
tequila
On the Tequila Trail: Orendain Anniversario
Tequila for Thanksgiving
and some bonus ones on other Mexican booze:
Raicilla, Mexican Moonshine
Xtabentun: Mayan Moonshine (& Sprite and tequila)

(I can bring some Xtabentun if no one considers me too gauche for bringing an opened bottle! )

I will have to contact our tequilla team and see if I can get some donations.
We carry Sauza tre Generation and El Tosoro. Both excellent tequillas

Me +1 as well. I'm so glad you are doing this. Let me know if I can bring anything in addition to tequila. Perhaps some guacamole?

I'm so excited to meet you! I think we'll just end up getting food from a nearby restaurant (as long as you don't consider it gauche that we're bringing food in to a catering company ). That way everyone can contribute equally to the food.

Our favorite tequila currently is Corralejo although I'd like to try new ones too. I like the idea of trying blanco, reposado and anejo from the same house. Hmmm...

While I can't attend, I'm going to second davecamaro1994 suggestion of the Sauza tequilas (Tres Generaciones is one of my favorite anejos). Sauza is one of the original tequila families and their product offering is solid (and not terribly expensive).

Since some folks might not be really acclimated to good sipping tequila, maybe a small bottle of Cuervo to show what BAD tequila tastes like? We use Cuervo for cooking and mixing but not for sipping.

I'm totally envious right now!

The Wife and I are in and will bring some stuff we ferried back from Jalisco last month (as far as I know, none of it is available in the US, so no fear of duplication).

Thanks Figs for hosting...and Joe for posting about it.

Now that some work-related travel for this date has died an untimely death (and not a moment too soon!), I can attend. Sounds fun.

Anyone want to go in on a bottle with me?

I'm in +1 if there is still room!

Figured I better start a count so we don't overfill...

germuska
figmolly+1
nr706 +1
Hellodalli+1
aruzin
Hammond
aschie
Santander
trixiepea+2
GWiv
bananasandwiches +1
Barbarella+1

19. Okay, room for one single.

My thinking is that if get 20 guests and have 10 bottles of tequila that will be more than enough for tasting. Assumming the tequila costs between $30-50, the people who aren't bringing tequila can bring $40 to pay for food and to contribute to those who spent more than $40 on tequila. Does that make sense or is it too confusing?

My +1 has a conflict, so there should be room for one more. Thanks, Molly and Justin!

It's just me, as well. So that should open up another slot.

I'd like to join you +2.

Thanks for setting this up!

Unfortunately, I am a no go for this one. The wife is out of town and I get the kids to watch. If you get a top 3 then maybe we can a do another one down the road with the best of show from your group. Have you decided what type of tequilla you will be tasting? Anejo, Respado, or Blanco? I may still be able to get a bottle someone can bring to teh tasting

davecamaro1994 wrote:Unfortunately, I am a no go for this one. The wife is out of town and I get the kids to watch. If you get a top 3 then maybe we can a do another one down the road with the best of show from your group. Have you decided what type of tequilla you will be tasting? Anejo, Respado, or Blanco? I may still be able to get a bottle someone can bring to teh tasting

C'mon Dave . . . it's a perfect time to get the kids started on their tequila knowledge!

=R=

honey, I soused the kids, inc.

This just in: The Wife bails, claiming to have a "book group" that night. Lame.

I'll be there -- with two bottles.

revised count:
germuska
figmolly+1
nr706 +1
Hellodali+1
aruzin
Hammond
aschie
Santander
Trixie Pea + 2

back to 14. With two weeks to go, there are decent chances that I'll have another friend or two chime in, unless we fill up with several more solid RSVPs prior to that.

Molly, I think your basic plan seems sound. Hopefully everyone can be flexible! I think sometime during the week before the event (if not sooner) we should go back over the list with specific bottles so we don't have doubles.

Joe,

Please add me to the list.

Thanks,
Gary

The husband and I are in. We will bring some sort of bottle of tequila TBD-- feel free to assign us one if it is easier!

germuska wrote:before the event (if not sooner) we should go back over the list with specific bottles so we don't have doubles.

I'm bringing a bottle of Orendain and a bottle of Racilla, both of which I've posted about.

Might you have room for 2 more?

I just picked up the tequila I'll be bringing - El Diamante del Cielo anejo. It's from Jalisco and the bottle says it is a "Produccion Limitada." It's not one I've tried before but the people at In Fine Spirits, whose tastes I trust, tell me its very nice - and I got it for a very good price.

I just picked up the tequila I'll be bringing - El Diamante del Cielo anejo

Not one I'm familiar with, but I look forward to trying it.

We're planning on having some mixers on hand in case anyone would rather dilute their tequila (we may find that some are better this way) - in addition to fresh lime juice, we're planning on having sangrita. Any other requests?

figmolly wrote:We're planning on having some mixers on hand in case anyone would rather dilute their tequila (we may find that some are better this way) - in addition to fresh lime juice, we're planning on having sangrita. Any other requests?

My first though was Mixers, we don't need no stinkin' ... then I remembered I'm bringing a bottle of Raicilla.

Isn't sangrita used more often as a chaser than a mixer? Not that it matters all that much. I mostly drink mine neat or with a cube or two.

OK, so we're at 20 now, which is where we wanted to cap things. Here's the summarized RSVP list:

"final" list
germuska+1
figmolly+1
nr706 +1
Hellodali+1
aruzin
Hammond
aschie
Santander
Trixie Pea + 2
G Wiv
Banana Sandwiches + 1
Barbarella + 1

Okay - I think I'll go the reposado route and bring either the Don Diego Santa (caramel-ey and nutty) or the Riserva del Senor (a little smokier than the Don Diego) -- both of which I've had at Salpicon -- depending upon which one I can source next week. I'll bring something else if that's what people prefer!

Do you want us to bring any appetizers?

Do you want us to bring any appetizers?

I think we're going to play it easy and just order all of the food. That way we know exactly how much was spent and don't have to figure out both food and tequila purchases.

Isn't sangrita used more often as a chaser than a mixer?

Yes.