New Kenfessions... Siglo VI & Friends

[MoeFOH]

Cohiba Siglo VI - Barale Fratelli ‘Barolo Chinato’ - Fortaleza Agave ‘Still Strength 46’ Tequila

By Ken Gargett.

Whilst I remain convinced that humanity is rapidly sowing the seeds of its own demise, and hard to think that does not make us the dumbest species to have ever existed on this fragile planet, occasionally we do something remarkable. Imagine coming up with the idea of taking the heart of a large spiky succulent, pollinated by bats, and processing it into one of the most loved spirits found anywhere. The plant is, of course, the blue agave and the spirit is tequila.

But then, while we are thinking outside the box, imagine an entire industry based on taking leaves from some dodgy old plant, drying and then fermenting them, rolling them up into little tubes and then setting fire to them, but only after the end user has paid a bucketload of dosh for the pleasure... continue to full article.

[Chef]

Another nice write up, @Ken Gargett.

[Ken Gargett]

53 minutes ago, Chef said:

Another nice write up, @Ken Gargett.

thanks. always fun to do. 

[99call]

Great review,   Good to see a tequila reviewed

[TBird55]

I know that most of you will cringe, but I will take an excellent tequila over scotch and day of the week and twice on Sunday's.

[SigmundChurchill]

Very nice review.  

My Brother-in-law is a tequila fanatic, so next time I see him, I plan on asking him about the Fortaleza Agave.

I feel the same about Siglo VI.  It’s in a class all it’s own.  Always has been.

 

[Ken Gargett]

11 hours ago, SigmundChurchill said:

Very nice review.  

My Brother-in-law is a tequila fanatic, so next time I see him, I plan on asking him about the Fortaleza Agave.

I feel the same about Siglo VI.  It’s in a class all it’s own.  Always has been.

 

thanks.

keen to hear what he thinks of it. 

[Thirds]

Enjoyable as always. 

[99call]

22 hours ago, TBird55 said:

I know that most of you will cringe, but I will take an excellent tequila over scotch and day of the week and twice on Sunday's.

Why cringe.  lets think about it..... a typical whisky will have flavours of; 

- Peat smoke, Iodine, salt, christmasy sweetness, pear, etc

Where as a typical reposado or anejo tequila will have

- Aromatic Cedar, Hay, vegetal notes, Honey, spice etc    (in my opinion far more suited to cigar smoking by a country mile)

Tequila used to very highly respected as a fine sipping spirit in days gone past, and rightly so.   It's only this era of spring break slamming of cheap blanco firewater that has given it a bad name. 

If whisky drinkers first experience was Bells,   or rum drinkers first experience Captain Morgan  for example.   You would similarly have legions of people bad mouthing Rum and Whisky.     Tequila is just not accessible for most to 'get into' and most peoples first experiences are bad ones.........no bother more for us!!

[Habana Mike]

Interesting read. Yes, the heart of the Agave plant is called a piña for exactly the reason you mentioned. They also had to drop the Mezcal from the name as it is only a true Mezcal if cooked in a fire pit vs. steamed. Most Tequilas are produced with the steam method today. Never buy a bottle of Tequila that is not labeled 100% blue Agave unless you enjoy a hangover!

[ChanceSchmerr]

Lovely read Ken, thank you!

On 8/31/2019 at 1:49 AM, TBird55 said:

I know that most of you will cringe, but I will take an excellent tequila over scotch and day of the week and twice on Sunday's.

I love my whisky, and yet agree that a fine tequila is a wonderful thing. I savour my Orgullo Pueblo Viejo Anejo tequila - fantastic stuff and one of my favourite drinks, period!!!