Liquor Review: Azuñia Tequila

If you go to any tailgate party and someone says, “hey, who wants some tequila?”, there will be two distinct responses. The first response you’ll hear is, “Bring It ON!”. The other response is, “No Way!”. When it comes to tequila there are certainly those that love it and those that won’t drink it. I recently discovered a new brand of tequila, Azuñia Tequila, that just might convince those saying, “No Way!” to try tequila again.

Many of those drinkers that avoid tequila have more than likely had a bad experience with it when they were younger. Either while in college or possibly a Spring Break vacation to Mexico, these people probably got sick from not knowing their own limit. Odds are it was probably cheap, inferior tequila to make matters worse. And we all know that once you have had “that night” with tequila, the strong and distinctive smell of any tequila, can turn a person green in an instant. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

As I mentioned above, Azuñia Tequila is different in that it is not like other tequilas you have had in the past. Azuñia Tequila is relatively new on the market but is bound to make some waves and it will win some awards soon. The major complaint any type of tequila gets is the harsh and bitter taste and the pungent smell. Not Azuñia Tequila. All three Azuñia Tequilas, Azuñia Platinum, Azuñia Reposado and especially Azuñia Añejo are all incredibly smooth. I had a chance to sample all three and I can say with confidence they did not disappoint.

Some background on this groundbreaking tequila comes from its roots and how the agave plants are grown, harvested and the tequila is eventually distilled. Many tequila makers will get their agave plants from a number of different growers making the taste less consistent and frequently less predictable. Azuñia Tequila is made from 100% Weber Blue Agave grown by the Sergio Zuñiga Family. The Zuñiga Family is one of the oldest agave growing families in the Tequila, Jalisco Region of Mexico. This family plantation has made a 10 year commitment to harvesting their agave plants exclusively to produce Azuñia Tequila.

Azuñia Platinum is the mixable, ultra-premium tequila made from 100% Weber Blue Agave. I chose to sample the Platinum while making an Azuñia margarita. (All recipes mentioned can be found at the bottom of this review.) I followed the recipe to the exact letter and I will admit it was one of the most authentic and refreshing margaritas I have had. If you are a tequila drinker and like Patron Silver, you’ll love Azuñia Platinum.

Next up to sample was Azuñia Reposado. This one is aged for a minimum of 3 months in American Oak barrels for a touch of smokiness. I tried this one in a Mex-jito which is much like a mojito but instead of run it uses tequila. I was quite impressed yet again and I liked the combination of the light smoke flavor mixed with the mint flavors.

Now comes the true test sample, Azuñia Añejo. This one I tried straight up without any mixers or making a cocktail out of it. In my book, if you can drink tequila straight, and by straight I mean sipping it and enjoying it rather than doing tequila shots, that is good tequila. Azuñia Añejo was unbelievably smooth as you would expect from an ultra-premium tequila. I later found out that this smoothness is a result of minimum of 12 months of aging in American Oak barrels. Azuñia Añejo was flavorful yet not overpowering with hints of vanilla and nuts. Very smooth and very enjoyable. No mixers necessary.

Because Azuñia Tequila is a relatively new brand to the United States, it is not available nationwide. Select states like California, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii and New Jersey with more added soon currently carry the Azuñia brand. I’d highly recommend trying Azuñia Tequila even if you have sworn off tequila for the remainder of your days on earth. Azuñia Tequila just might surprise you into becoming a tequila drinker once again.

Azuñia Tequila is quite astute and active on social media outlets as well. If you would like to visit the Azuñia Tequila page on Facebook, click HERE. Azuñia Tequila is also highly active on Twitter as well. If you would like to stay current with updates regarding Azuñia Tequila, please follow @azuniatequila, @AzuniaKirk, @AzuniaJim and @azuniajenifer. For more information on Azuñia Tequila, please visit their official website at azuniatequila.com. Must be 21 or over, please drink responsibly and never drink and drive.

Azuñia Tequila Drink Recipes:

Mex-jito
Glass: Old-Fashioned
Garnish: Lime Wedge and a Mint Sprig
1.5 oz. Azuñia Reposado
1 oz. Azuñia Organic Agave Nectar
.5 oz. Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice
Lime Wedge
10 Large Fresh Mint Leaves
Club Soda
In a cocktail shaker, muddle the mint leaves and lime wedge. Add tequila, agave nectar, lime juice and plenty of ice. Shake vigorously for 5 seconds. Strain into an ice-filled glass and top with club soda. Garnish with a lime wedge.
*For a different variation, try it with Azuñia Platinum Tequila.

The Azuñia Margarita
Glass: Pint Glass
Garnish: Lime Wedge
2.5 oz. Azuñia Platinum Tequila
1 oz. Azuñia Organic Agave Nectar
1 oz. Water
2 oz. Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice
Sea Salt (optional)
Combine all ingredients in an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously for 5 seconds and pour into a sea salt-rimmed glass. Garnish with a lime wedge.
*For a different variation, try it with Azuñia Reposado Tequila.

Paloma
Glass: Old-Fashioned
Garnish: Lime Wedge
2 oz. Azuñia Platinum Tequila
1 oz. Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice
Squirt® (grapefruit soda)
Dash of Sea Salt
Moisten the rim of the glass with the lime wedge and salt the rim. Add a dash of sea salt to the bottom of the glass and fill with ice. Add lime juice and tequila. Top off with Squirt® and garnish with a lime wedge.

Canterita
Glass: Pint Glass
Garnish: Orange Slice
2 oz. Azuñia Platinum Tequila
.5 oz. Azuñia Organic Agave Nectar
1 oz. Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
1 oz. Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice
.5 oz. Grapefruit Juice
.5 oz. Orange Juice
Dash of Sea Salt
Squirt (grapefruit soda)
Combine all ingredients, except Squirt and sea salt, in an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously for 5 seconds. Add a dash of sea salt to the bottom of the glass and pour contents of shaker into glass. Top off with Squirt and garnish with an orange slice. (Rim glass with sea salt – optional.)