Patrón Silver Tequila

Patron is one of those tequilas that can turn anyone onto tequila. It is fully flavored with agave without being too overwhelming, it is ultra smooth and is a fantastic cocktail mixer. That pertains mostly to this Silver because it adds a rich and true agave flavor without the oak of the distillery's aged bottlings. The Patron company is a staple in the tequila industry and while they do have some other exciting spirits, their base tequila line is simply phenomenal. Yet, I find myself leaning toward this smooth Silver for mixing and it is one of those that I find myself reaching for regularly, it's one I rely on.

All of Patron's tequilas are distilled from 100% blue weber agave in the highlands of Jalisco. The agave piñas are harvested at around 8 years of growth and sent to the nearby distillery to begin the process of making tequila. A rare thing in modern tequila production is the use of the tahona wheel and Patron is one of the few distilleries to still employ this traditional method to crush the baked agave. They do also use the modern roller methods as well, and it is the job of the Master Distiller, Francisco Alcaraz, to combine the two to make his recipe for Patron. I think this adds to the flavor we find in Patron and other tequilas, there is something about the old-fashioned way of extracting the juice that adds depth to the spirit and, even if it is a partial mix, it makes a significant difference.

The mixability of Patron Silver is where my fascination truly lies. Sure, it's great to sip, but it's even better in a balanced mixed drink with fresh fruits. It's not limited to just a few fruit flavors, either, I've tried it with everything from orange to blackberry, and grapefruit to cranberry. This is a tequila that loves fruit and its waves of sweetened agave come through the back of the fruit in such a delightful way that is hard to resist. Good examples include a set of fruit highballs, the Patron Grapefruit, Patron Pineapple and Patron Pomegranate. Then there are slightly more complex drinks like the Red Carpet and Gold Cosmopolitan. It is in these relatively simplistic tequila cocktails, full of fruit flavor that Patron Silver truly shines.

Tasting Notes:
An earthy "sunshine" feeling touches the nose with a sweet and soft agave kiss that is tantalizing. The palate is ultra smooth and sultry, transforming into a warm caramel with soft butter and a light spice. It finishes with a stronger spice and a long, warm sweetness.