This tequila looks expensive, and no surprise – it is. You could, therefore, extrapolate that it would be of a high bar of quality to justify that price. However, this is HBR and we know that means squat most of the time. This – is one of those times.
Time once again for some more cognac with another VS from Martell. They have some typical pomp and circumstance (it’s always a snore when the words ‘great cognac houses’ enters the verbiage), but it’s thankfully backed up by something of substance.
The most notable thing here on the surface is actually an omission – the word Suntory. Yes, it’s a Japanese whisky not from the monolithic giant that has buy-in over the states. The problem, however, is the notable omission that’s deeper than the surface – good tasting whiskey.
What we have here is much like a snow leopard. Powerful and beautiful, but there are certainly some spots. (Get it?) Before we begin or get into the spirit itself we’ll let them lead by example and before the fold ask you to give to the Snow Leopard Trust to save an endangered species: https://www.snowleopard.org/
You could say this gin is a local affair for this Massachusettes based reviewer, but they’re so far west it might as well be Ohio. It’s nice though to see a smaller gin made in the states, but as you’ll see by their text there’s a bit of a quirk here in regards to exactly how this gin has been made.
We all know (or maybe not) that all spirits are filtered (unless rarely as otherwise noted) and that usually this filtering goes through charcoal. Now one would think that said charcoal filtering doesn’t really go into the product, and it’s not like your barbeque variety coal is what’s used. At least that’s supposed to be the way, but here it’s suspect.
What a stupid fucken concept. Drat, we’ve made the premise clear too early once again. It’s some rum, they smoke it for some reason? It has this child’s idea of being a stolen spirit. Oh right, and another thing – it tastes like shit. Double drat – well let’s get into it.
Long, long ago there was a website similar to HBR, with a similar goal to try the worst of the worst to the best of the best, but with no preference between. They once wrote of a review of this tequila comparing its perfection to Keira Knightley in that there’s no single aspect that makes it perfect, but the entire thing – oh yes. While we may be harsher critics than they, it’s hard to deny they were on to something.
We originally tried this as the recent Whiskey America Day Special and knew we had to get it into the review banks. We then however totally forgot which version we gave an intial A- too, and picked up the 110 Proof for funsies. While we’re almost certain this is not the same dram, that A- rating may show up again in some form.
You would think having reviewed things with the word Presidente, that a mere mayor would know their place. However this tequila thinks it deserves your vote, but it will never get ours. Between the bullshit awards, the burn afterkick, and the fact we’d never buy this again – strap in folks.
