What We’re Drinking: Tequila Corralejo Reposado & Añejo

Tequila Corralejo Reposado

Along with its elongated, cobalt blue bottle, this tequila has a wonderfully retro label with cut-outs for pressed-glass decoration. Along its shiny attraction, the spirit inside is made with a double-distillation method: in a column still and in a copper Alembic pot still. The tequila’s nose has equal amounts of fruit and wood – as does the flavor, but with the addition of some traditional spicy bite that stands out in the finish. Slightly delicate and woody, this would makes a good sipping tequila: best in a light pour and one ice cube so it doesn’t get overly diluted. RECOMMENDED — BSE

WHO: Corralejo
WHAT: 100% Blue Weber Agave
WHERE: Guanajuato, Mexico
HOW MUCH: $28

Tequila Corralejo Añejo

It should have been the bottle that attracted me to this tequila: cool, retro label on tall, bright red pressed glass. (The Reposado is bottled in blue.) But in actuality it was the distillation method: a regular column still plus a copper Alembic pot still. This is done to promote “exceptional retention of aroma and flavor” and I’d say it also may soften and round the flavors in the añejo, which spends at least a year in small wooden barrels to age. This tequila has woody as well as sweet jammy aromas. Wood surrounds the palate and surges toward the finish, and tequila’s traditional “bite” at the end is minimized. It’s fairly versatile: good over ice or in a mixed drink where the fruit in this spirit holds its own. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED — BSE

WHO: Corralejo
WHAT: 100% Blue Weber Agave
WHERE: Guanajuato, Mexico
HOW MUCH: $41