Ocho Blanco Tequila, 50 cl - Award Winning Premium Tequila - Made with 100% Blue Agave - Single Estate

Product Information

On the palate, this displays powerful agave flavors, favoring the sweet, roasty and spicy sides of the equation. There’s a big peppery character, but also vanilla pudding, citrus, baked fruit, some resinous notes and a little underlaying herbal bitterness that keeps the overall flavor from registering as more than mild residual sweetness. The profile is bold and bright, with complexity that agave geeks will want to dissect in far more detail than someone like me–a relative neophyte compared to true tequila obsessives–is capable of bringing to bear.

Fortaleza Reposado is a legendary tequila among aficionados, as well as a great entry point for novices. Tequila is made from the Blue Weber agave plant. The agave is harvested and then cooked in either a stone oven or an autoclave. It is then ground and fermented with yeast and water. After the yeast has converted the sugar in the agave to alcohol, it is distilled into a more concentrated spirit with high alcohol content. Our favorite sipping tequila is the Cascahuín Tahona Blanco, which uses the traditional stone wheel to enhance the depth of flavor. Joven Tequila: Joven (young) or oro (gold) tequila is a blend of white and aged tequilas, and it may include any of the approved mellowing ingredients. Often, inexpensive "gold" tequila is a mixto that includes caramel or a similar additive, and joven tequila can be quite impressive. Distillers and blenders make all kinds of adjustments throughout the production process that help them achieve a uniform flavor profile in their finished products. Doing so allows them to develop a house style and build brand loyalty with consumers, but it doesn’t do much to showcase the influence of terroir, and honestly, nobody had really thought about tequila like that until Carlos and Tomas got together. In achieving consistency, tequila producers often sacrifice the minute impacts of soil and climate on the Blue Weber agave that Tequila Ocho seeks to celebrate.Like wine and other unique spirits, tequila is produced according to regulations that govern its appellation of origin. Tequila may only be made in the state of Jalisco, which includes the town of Tequila, and parts of the surrounding states of Guanajuato, Michoacán, Nayarit and Tamaulipas. It must be made from blue agave and in accordance with additional rules for ingredients and aging. Spirits made using other agave species or elsewhere in Mexico are classified as mezcal. The puntas, or “distiller’s cut,” of agave spirits have long been considered the most coveted part of the distillate and are traditionally set aside by the producer to be enjoyed with friends and family on special occasions. Along with his 80 proof Tequila Ocho, this is a favorite drink for legendary tequila maker Carlos Camarena of El Tesoro fame. The single estate agaves were harvested from the Camarena family’s rancho La Ladera. Tequila Ocho Puntas comes off the still at roughly 128 proof, and is then reduced to 101 proof, using deep well-extracted water from the nearby Tequila Ocho distillery in Arandas, Jalisco, Mexico. This results in a high concentration of agave flavors, while still experiencing the essences of the Single Estate “Los Patos” 80 proof blanco, which is extremely smooth and worthy of savoring neat. It is extremely rare, but is worth searching out, although it is mainly found on the secondary market. However, as a more accessible alternative, we prefer the 80 proof Tequila Ocho Plata 2017 Single Estate “Los Patos” 80 proof blanco. Tequila Ocho Blanco expresses the pure, unadulterated and complex flavour notes of the agave plant. A tequila that is made traditionally through a slow cooking process, Ocho accentuates the agave flavour and it’s flavour develops over time. A WINNING PARTNERSHIP The distillery produces four unique expressions of tequila, all of which are made with the same single-estate approach: plata, reposado, añejo, and extra añejo. If you’re looking to experience the true essence of agave, the plata is Ocho’s most true expression of Mexico’s native plant, and offers grassy and vegetal notes. Their reposado is aged for the minimum amount of time required, spending just eight weeks and eight days in ex-American whiskey barrels. Tequila Ocho Añejo spends the minimum one year maturing, while Extra Añejo ages for three whole years. Each aged expression of Tequila Ocho rests in ex-American whiskey barrels that have been used to age several vintages of tequila. The result is a tequila that is not overly influenced by vanillin or heavy oak flavors, yet still maintains the barrel-aging benefits of subtle sweetness and a softer mouthfeel. To date, Tequila Ocho has released over 35 single-estate vintages of its tequila across all four expressions. At Tequila Ocho, running the distillery is a family affair.

Bursting with traditional agave flavours, as well as hints of pear, clementine and melon, it’s a supremely drinkable, modern tequila that pairs perfectly with a variety of mixers. We loved this in a simple tequila and tonic but it’s also delicious with a dash of lime soda or even on its own with ice. While the Blue variety is our favourite, we also highly rate the Butterfly Rosa Pink Grapefruit tequila. Its beautiful bottle also makes a wonderful gift for any tequila fans or simply as a treat to yourself. To decide on the best tequilas, we talked to bartenders and tasted 30 different tequilas. We began by reaching out to three bartenders and experts on agave spirits: bartender and agave expert Lucas Assis, tequila educator and influencer Mireille Olivo, and agave-focused bartender of 7 years Ashly Levi. They spoke to us about their favorite bottles and what category each type of tequila stood out in. Tapatio Añejo: Tapatio and El Tesoro are made in the same distillery, so it's no surprise that these two añejos share some similarities. Both are agave-forward and delicious, but the El Tesoro añejo has a prominent vanilla note that we preferred. Tequila may have a wild and crazy reputation, but this unique spirit is created according to strict guidelines, guaranteeing authenticity and consistency. It’s distilled from the fermented juice of the Weber blue agave plant, and comes only from a specified region of Mexico, centered around the western state of Jalisco. Frankenstein! Frankenstein! Frankenstein! That is the name of the mechanical tahona Felipe Camarena uses to crush his agave. So unique in its process, the flavors I derive from this expression are on par. Lemongrass and fresh cut sweet grass—with hints of clay. This is a fun expression that sets itself apart.”

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Cazcanes Añejo: Although we loved this añejo expression from Cazcanes, it's hard to find outside of Southern California. El Tesoro is more widely available and just as good. Creating a single-estate tequila reflective of its terroir requires some significant deviations from conventional tequila production, from the farming and sourcing of the agave straight through to the final maturation and bottling. To allow a unique sense of place to shine in a finished tequila, the spirit can be neither mass produced nor muddied by flavor additives or heavy-handed barrel aging. Stunning. Just without words stunning,” Bailon says. “Agave forward and oaked crème brulée is a unicorn to find—and when you do, it just dances up and down the palate. I also appreciate all the attention to detail with this bottle including a little rest in five-liter glass vessels before bottling. This is a precious gem to cherish.” With tequila production having been in his family for centuries, Camarena is staying true to tradition by hiring his children to work alongside him at Tequila Ocho. His two daughters work with him daily, managing several aspects of production as well as sales and visitor experiences. Additionally, the tequila tradition lives on with Este’s son Jesse serving as Ocho’s global brand ambassador. The distillery recently found a new home. A tequila labeled simply “gold” or “joven” is unaged, possibly with caramel coloring or other sweeteners added.

When Carlos Camarena approached Tomas Estes to collaborate on a new tequila brand, the two recognized a common goal to produce a spirit that reflects the true essence of agave and the land on which it was grown. Despite the fact that terroir is typically a term more associated with winemaking than distilling, the co-founders knew that spirits — especially those made from agave — can also demonstrate their unique terroir. Thus, each batch of Tequila Ocho is produced from agave all sourced from one specific vineyard, giving each a distinct aroma and taste reflecting the specific estate. In total, the agaves used for Tequila Ocho are sourced from one of 11 ranchos, all of which are owned by the Camarena family. Each bottle of Ocho is complete with a label denoting the vintage year and the field name from which the agave was sourced, in addition to information on the specific field regarding its elevation. At Tequila Ocho, it’s all about the rule of eights, not threes.Said Tequila Ocho co-founder and legendary tequilero Carlos Camarena,“The initial part of the heart of distillation is the one that I usually enjoy the most, as it carries the agave essence at its purest form. After tasting “puntas” with our distillery team at different proofs by adding small amounts of water, we were convinced that 101 has the perfect balance for this particular La Ladera expression. I am convinced that true tequila afficionados and connoisseurs will be as delighted as I am with the first release of “puntas” from Tequila Ocho.” Perhaps it’s just because I don’t have a real bead on agave spirit geek culture in the way I do for American whiskey, but it’s always been interesting to me the way overproof tequila and mezcal don’t really seem to have widely penetrated the consumer mainstream in the U.S. Compared with the world of bourbon or rye whiskey, where a good percentage of the geek market isn’t even interested in releases unless they’re at least 100 proof or far stronger, the agave spirit market has seemingly held quite firmly to its tradition of lower proof points. I would struggle to think of any hyped American whiskey released at the minimum of 40% ABV (80 proof), and yet that’s still perfectly normal for many ultra-premium tequilas–even those spirits that seem to be celebrated by the agave cognoscenti. With that said, the overproof agave spirits are certainly out there on the fringes with rabid fanbases, and once you sample one like Tequila Ocho Plata Puntas, it becomes easy to see the allure. Records the default button state of the corresponding category & the status of CCPA. It works only in coordination with the primary cookie. Despite the fact that it takes agave plants approximately seven years to reach full maturity, Tequila Ocho deliberately chooses 8-year-old agave to produce its tequilas. As noted by the brand, the idea for using overripe agaves was inspired by the fact that grapes left on the vine past their maturation date produce slightly sweeter wines. After all, grapes are to wine as blue Weber agave is to tequila. By allowing the agave plants to mature for an extra year, more residual sugars are able to build up in the piña, which results in a sweeter, more robust agave-forward tequila. Not only does holding off on harvesting benefit the taste of the spirit, but it benefits the planet as well. With tequila’s surge in popularity, agave has become scarce, largely due to a number of brands harvesting unripe plants in a rush to meet demand. By only harvesting agave plants that have surpassed full maturity — and by harvesting certain sections of each estate at a time — the brand is doing its part to reverse the shortage. Tequila Ocho’s core lineup includes four distinct expressions. Tequila Ocho is made by Carlos Camarena, a third generation Tequilero, in partnership with Tomas Estes. This dynamic partnership delivers heritage and tradition, coupled with innovation. Carlos and Tomas produce tequila that is made slowly in an artisanal way. The result is a fine quality spirit that accentuates the agave flavour. It is concentrated and complex while remaining balanced and easy to drink. CHARACTER

Spain lifted the ban for good in 1792, and in 1795 gave a license for the production of tequila to Jose María Guadalupe de Cuervo, maker of what is now the world’s best-selling tequila, Jose Cuervo. All tequila made by the Camarena family is produced exclusively from agave from their own fields, a fact that few other producers can claim. Because the production is small-batch and carefully done, the heart and passion of the Camarenas’ Mexican soul is in each drop of their tequila. The family have only ever made 100% agave tequila. Tequila can be a stiff drink, but it’s no stronger than any other spirit. When produced for consumption in Mexico it’s usually 38% ABV, but in the United States it must be at least 40% alcohol to count as the real deal. For consumption in the rest of the world, it can be anywhere between 31% and 55% ABV. How we test tequila Cristalino Añejo: We found this tequila to be overly sweet with strong vanilla notes and not much character from the agave. This blanco is a spiritual experience in a bottle. I get a sniff of Palo Santo on the nose which immediately transports me to the next level. Medium body and texture are thoroughly fulfilling with a clean and balanced finish.”

Though they experiment from time to time, Tequila Ocho has taken the core aspects of what makes tequila special and centered their iteration of the spirit around it. Couple this with their old-fashioned slow methods of tequila making, and they’ve mastered playing within the boundaries of tradition. Tequila Ocho feels and tastes like a spirit three times the price of what it actually is!