Tequila Education Night!

Tequila was the main attraction at our second Sanders County Sippers educational get-together last night.

Fourteen of us gathered in the Monti's Room to learn about and sample the three basic types of tequila: blanco or silver, reposado or rested, and anejo or aged. All our featured spirits were made from 100% blue agave.

We started out with blancos by Patron and Don Eduardo. The latter won out, BIG TIME, in popularity, with its clean, herbal presentation and taste. In my opinion, this is a refreshing and "summery" tequila I wouldn't mind sipping straight.

Next was a Milagro reposado. This was smoother than the blancos, but definitely had more body. It had a bit more refinement than the blancos, and the fragrance was heavier and not as "green." In fact, the fragrance and taste suggested vanilla and butterscotch.

The most premium was next: the Tres Generaciones anejo. Smooth and flavorful, this one reminded me more of a wintertime cognac...with its slow finish and heat, it wasn't something I'd enjoy sipping regularly, although fans of cognacs, sippin' whiskey and Scotch would appreciate it. The last thing it made me think of was a margarita!

For fun, we then passed around a sample of "Montana Silver," a budget-priced jug tequila that's only 51% blue agave. The difference was astounding! The Montana Silver tasted more like kerosene and burned, from the lips to the back of the throat! This is the stuff you mask with salt and lime!

Finally we passed around batches of margaritas made from the Patron, Milagro and Montana Silver. There was precious little difference between the three, once the lime juice and Triple Sec were mixed in. However, someone suggested a splash of Grand Marnier to the top of one (making it a "gold margarita,") and THAT was a sensation!

By the way, the "classic" margarita recipe we used:

• 2 oz. tequila
• 1 oz. triple sec
• 3/4 oz. fresh-squeezed lime juice.
• Mix in a shaker or pitcher with ice, and strain into a salt-rimmed glass.
  

Next Sippers even is Thursday, Sept. 17. To be featured: SINGLE MALT SCOTCH! Make your reservations now!!