Wanted to do a comparison between two extra anejos. My buddy invited me over for a good cigar so I decided to buy these two bottles as my contribution. I got to keep them and we only drank 1/5 or less of each bottle so maybe I came out ahead in the deal. These two tequilas could not be more different from each other. The el Tesoro tasted smelled like tequila but elevated to a higher and smoother level. The cazcanes was playing a totally different ball game. It has rich and complex flavors. I could literally taste the bourbon and wine flavors from the different barrels used. El Tesoro was the best version of el Tesoro I’ve had and I’ve had half a dozen of them, my previous favorite was a local barrel club’s reposado. But, like it said it was still tequila but all tastes and smells. I didn’t get strong barrel or bourbon flavors and it was a single experience. It didn’t change on the pallet from front to back like the cazcanes. The cazcanes smelled like bourbon and the first sip burned but mellowed with more tastes and sips. The lingering after taste was more of wine barrels than the up front bourbon and whiskey barrels.

It feels like every beginner wants to start with the Repo for that celebrity brand everyone buys.

​Instead, I’ve been starting people on a solid standard Blanco, followed immediately by a Still Strength / High Proof Blanco.

​My reasoning:

​Standard Blanco gives them the unaged baseline (agave, pepper, citrus, minerality).

​Still Strength shows them what full-flavor, undiluted agave actually tastes like before water softens it.

​Añejo/Repo comes last so they can see how wood impacts the base spirit, rather than confusing vanilla/oak for tequila itself.

​Am I crazy for putting beginners on high-proof so early, or is this the best way to build a real palate?

And don't say the tourist answer, tell me what people ACTUALLY drink 😂
I'll start: Argentina - Fernet con Coca.