In addition to stories and so on, he’s also got recipes and histories of favorite cocktails. While I’d certainly make a different choice for tequila than he does, the recipes all sound interesting, especially the Richmond Gimlet and the Brisa, both his own creations. Recommended reading.

I have written previously, in Tequila 101 and Everything you need to know about ordering tequila, some basic facts about tequila; what follows here is more opinion and personal preference. You can read the prior articles for background, or simply go with this summary: always look for and verify that your tequila says “100% agave” on the label. If it does not say that, it’s not a quality tequila.

Specific Tequila Recommendations

I’ve drunk more than 150 different tequilas at this point, and when I go to Tommy’s I have more than 200 options to choose from. While I enjoy tasting new things, more often than not I fall back on my favorites. When I’m not at Tommy’s, and the selection is much more limited, I can still usually find one of my preferred products, at least if the bar has any selection at all. Note that these are not the only tequilas that I love, they are simply the ones that most often come to mind when I am ordering.

I would drink any of these tequilas neat or in a margarita. Don’t let anyone tell you these are “too good to drink in a margarita;” I’ll have more on this in a future article. These are in no specific order:

• Herradura Silver, Reposado, and Añejo
• Oro Azul Blanco and Añejo
• El Tesoro, everything they make
• Don Julio Reposado and Añejo
• El Charro Reposado and Añejo
• Chinaco Reposado and Añejo
• Regional Reposado and Añejo (you won’t find this outside of Mexico)
• Centinela Reposado
• Arette Reposado, especially the Suave

I also have a few “special occasion” tequilas, which I will only order if I am celebrating something, or feeling especially flush with funds. As you might expect, these are more expensive; a 2 oz. pour of the Chinaco Black Label is more expensive than a bottle of any of the above tequilas. I would only ever drink these tequilas neat, in a nice snifter or glass.

• Chinaco Black Label (very rare, not made anymore)
• San Matias Rey Sol
• Herradura Seleccion Suprema
• Don Julio 1942
• Arette Gran Clase
• Jose Cuervo Reserva de Familia

Rochelle’s preferences are similar, but she also has a few that she likes better than I do, primarily Siete Leguas, of which I am not particularly fond.

We also have a few “workhorse” tequilas, which we happily order in a bar if none of the above are available, and some we also buy in bulk when we’re having a party. These are fine tequilas, but we don’t reach for them in the same way.

• Pura Sangre
• Pueblo Viejo
• Gran Centenario
• Cazadores
• Cabrito

Finally, one last “special purpose” tequila. We personally love the San Matias Carmessi, but we think it’s especially useful for introducing people to fine tequilas. It’s great for people who have never tried tequila, and even people who think they don’t like tequila usually find they enjoy it.

Just Say No

I don’t really want to recommend against specific products, because everyone’s taste is different, and if you like it, drink it. But these are products which I personally don’t care for, or find over-priced or over-rated. You make your own decision.

• Cuervo Especial, Gold, 1800 — I’ll order a beer if these are the only selections
• Sauza — the Tres Generations bottlings are OK, but there is no Sauza product I genuinely like
• Don Eduardo — we gave this up forever the last time we drank it, 2-3 years ago; it’s just not good, and often expensive
• Patrón — actually a decent tequila, but over-priced

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The mixer for 2005 is definitely Trader Joe’s Organic Strawberry Lemonade, $3.99, located in the refrigerated juice section in Trader Joe’s. It’s great by itself, but it begs to be mixed with your distilled spirit of choice.

We’ve tried it with vodka and tequila. Overall, we like the tequila version — but that’s no surprise, given our well-known fondness for tequila. With vodka we’ve found that the sweetness of the juice renders the drink a bit too sweet for our taste; the additional flavors of tequila cut the sweetness just enough.

I recommend 2 oz. of tequila to 2-3 oz. of Strawberry Lemonade; to my taste, a 50/50 ratio makes a perfect, strong drink. We usually squeeze in a bit of lime, to finish it off. This is especially important if you’re using vodka, the acid in the lime cuts the sweetness of the juice, providing better overall balance.

I think rum would also work well, but I haven’t tried it. I question gin, and think Scotch and bourbon would be right out. (Though Scotch is the alcohol of choice for our cocktail discovery of 2004, the Randy Scotsman: Scotch and ginger ale, roughly 40/60. Sounds horrible, but it’s fabulous.)

And hey. It’s organic. To your health!