BajaNomad

Tres Generaciones Reposado Tequila

Gypsy Jan - 11-24-2013 at 01:41 PM

From The OC Weekly: http://blogs.ocweekly.com/stickaforkinit/2013/11/tres_genera...

By Gustavo Arellano

"I almost never write about booze I get for free, but I'm going to make an exception for Tres Generaciones, because I need to make a point. Last month, Businessweek published a blistering report on the modern-day tequila industry, exposing it as a house of cards built on increasingly fragile agave plants, bred to be virtually clones to ensure maximum output, all for the benefit of an insatiable American market. The primary target of the story? Sauza, the dynasty whose name the descendants of founder Cenobio Sauza can't use to sell their own boutique brands due to trademark laws. Regular Sauza is crap, and I said that as such to the Charleston City Paper, when they interviewed me about great tequilas to try.

Soon after, a Sauza PR person reached out and asked me to give them another try. Shortly after, two bottles of Sauza appeared at my office. I gave those away, but kept Tres Generaciones, Sauza's boutique label to cash in on the premium tequila boom.

The bottle is pretty enough: tiny, with a gold leaf design and individual numbering. Being a reposado, it's sweet, slightly peppery, and smooth. Don't get me wrong: Tres Generaciones is a good tequila--not great, nowhere near the caliber of ON Tequila or Fortaleza, but also not the rotgut that is Sauza. If I saw it at the bar, and there was no Corralejo around, I'd take the plunge. And that's the lesson, Sauza: don't pay attention to quantity, like what you're doing with your namesake brand. Care about quality--Tres Generaciones leans toward that. And, most importantly, don't take your cues from gabachos regarding your business model; pay attention to those of us Mexicans who care for the drink and don't like what you, Cuervo, and others have done to the gift of Mayahuel."

Hook - 11-24-2013 at 08:57 PM

Tastes are different. I find Corralejo almost undrinkable because of how much oak is in it. It's the same reason I dont like many Herraduras, too.

bajabuddha - 11-25-2013 at 09:25 AM

Side-note to Reposado lovers; good tequila WILL spoil... i found out the hard way by leaving my corked bottle of Corralejo untouched for too long and in improper temperatures. After talking up the taste of my favorite, friends and i had a taste test with 4 other fine tequilas, Don Julio amongst them, and all other four were within close bounds of flavor where the Corralejo was like vinegar, totally unpallatable not to mention extremely embarrassing. Luckily the local liquor store in the small southern Colorado town had some C. on the shelf, so i redeemed myself the next day, and sadly poured over half a bottle of what used to be liquid gold down the sink drain. I'm not saying it beat out the other four, but was definitely a peer. Still my favorite for the price.

MexicoTed - 11-27-2013 at 03:44 PM

As mentioned in the article, Tequila Fortaleza is the best of the boutique brands. And it is made by Guillermo Sauza, one of the Sauza family that can't use their own name on their tequilas. Try some, I'd love to hear others views.

movinguy - 11-27-2013 at 04:53 PM

Arellano's ¡Ask A Mexican! is a good read - explains why Mexicans swim with their clothes on and other poignant observations.

I agree Corralejo is probably the best affordable reposado, but have seen quality variations over the last few years. Maybe a shortage of good agave? Or maybe stay away from those funky 700ml bottles at the Comercial :light:

DENNIS - 11-27-2013 at 05:02 PM

I can't stand Tequila.
Can't stand Scotch either.
Anything that boasts the acquired taste aspect, has in inherent problem, in my opinion. That includes the chile heat factor in food. blech barf

Udo - 11-27-2013 at 05:28 PM

My personal favorite is El Agave Artesanal, in añejo. Second is Don Julio 1942, third is Herencia Historica, but IT has a lot of oak flavor, and it does taste better with a couple of droplets of key limes.

MexicoTed - 11-27-2013 at 11:53 PM

Udo, if you get a chance to try Fortaleza next time back in the states do so. I think you'll be surprised. They actually make it as Los Abuelos in Mexico,but very limited. Doubt it's in Baja.

I sound like a sales person for that tequila, but I'm not. There's a great, small bar/restaurant up in SD on Adams Ave. called Cantina Mayahuel. I go in once and a while to try different tequilas. The owner, Larry, knows all the good ones.

Head for COSTCO

bajaguy - 11-28-2013 at 10:02 AM

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/nov/26/qa-pioneer-woman-...

chuckie - 11-29-2013 at 05:27 AM

I tried the 3 Generations last night at the Serenidad and found it unremarkable...except for the price...

Mulegena - 11-29-2013 at 07:10 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/nov/26/qa-pioneer-woman-...

Thanks, BajaGuy. This has got to be a sure winner!
Quite a story for a start-up family business.
Smart to put this lady out front and in charge.
Really admire her moxi and clever but fresh, honest sense for business.
Nobleza Tequila - haven't kissed this tequila- yet- but I will.

pauldavidmena - 11-30-2013 at 03:58 PM

Jimador has a reposado that is surprisingly good, whether in a c-cktail or served straight up. Their añejo is not smoky at all - a plus in my book. Best of all, it's very inexpensive compared to Patron, which is considered the premium tequila here in New England. That said, I'd be interested to find Nobleza products here in the frozen north. Thanks to @BajaGuy for the tip!

San Diego only???

bajaguy - 11-30-2013 at 04:30 PM

Read the article as to locations.......I don't think it's available in the frozen north :fire:
Quote:
Originally posted by pauldavidmena
Jimador has a reposado that is surprisingly good, whether in a c-cktail or served straight up. Their añejo is not smoky at all - a plus in my book. Best of all, it's very inexpensive compared to Patron, which is considered the premium tequila here in New England. That said, I'd be interested to find Nobleza products here in the frozen north. Thanks to @BajaGuy for the tip!

Nobleza Azul brand

Mulegena - 11-30-2013 at 05:36 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
Read the article as to locations.......I don't think it's available in the frozen north :fire:


Yes, I believe the article said it was limited to San Diego (County's) 3 main Costcos,
but didn't give the locations-- and it said it was only the Nobleza Blanca, I believe.

Udo - 11-30-2013 at 05:43 PM

You are right about the Fortaleza Tequila.I have bought it several times and liked it a lot. Liqores Don Pisto carries it.
BTW...on Thursdays only, the Liqores Don Pisto in Rosarito (which is just about on the end of town on the left side of the road) gives 10% off on all bottles if you buy six or more (mix-n-match).
Quote:
Originally posted by MexicoTed
Udo, if you get a chance to try Fortaleza next time back in the states do so. I think you'll be surprised. They actually make it as Los Abuelos in Mexico,but very limited. Doubt it's in Baja.

I sound like a sales person for that tequila, but I'm not. There's a great, small bar/restaurant up in SD on Adams Ave. called Cantina Mayahuel. I go in once and a while to try different tequilas. The owner, Larry, knows all the good ones.

Udo - 11-30-2013 at 05:52 PM

You may or may not chose to believe this...

About ten years ago, there were some drug dealers about 6 miles behind the police station in Santo Thomas. If you take a dirt road to the west behind the police station and you mentioned the right name to the guards with the AK47s, they let you in the compound and I got treated to the best home-made tequila ever made! The jefes really were nice people.
I managed to take home two bottles, and it took me three years to finish them. Needless to say, I never went back after the AK 47s incident. Next time they may shoot first and ask questions later.
But I am sure many of us Nomads have had some similar incident at one point or another while in Baja...we just don't discuss them.

bajaguy - 11-30-2013 at 06:02 PM

She was doing a tasting/display at the COSTCO in Mission Valley, near Qualcomm
Quote:
Originally posted by Mulegena
Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
Read the article as to locations.......I don't think it's available in the frozen north :fire:


Yes, I believe the article said it was limited to San Diego (County's) 3 main Costcos,
but didn't give the locations-- and it said it was only the Nobleza Blanca, I believe.

dasubergeek - 12-1-2013 at 09:30 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by MexicoTed
Udo, if you get a chance to try Fortaleza next time back in the states do so. I think you'll be surprised. They actually make it as Los Abuelos in Mexico,but very limited. Doubt it's in Baja.

I sound like a sales person for that tequila, but I'm not. There's a great, small bar/restaurant up in SD on Adams Ave. called Cantina Mayahuel. I go in once and a while to try different tequilas. The owner, Larry, knows all the good ones.


Actually, it's now being sold as Fortaleza in Mexico too. They couldn't trademark Los Abuelos in the U.S., so after a while they abandoned the mark in Mexico for consistency's sake. You can still buy old bottles of Los Abuelos (Leyva's in TJ has one bottle left for a silly amount of money), but it's the same bottle, same product, just different name on the very similar label.

It is excellent, excellent tequila.

woody with a view - 12-1-2013 at 10:43 AM

i don't like the tres gen. of the sauza's i like the commemorativo anejo and the straight anejo. great for keeping warm around a campfire at a place that shant be named!:lol:

tripledigitken - 12-1-2013 at 10:59 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by MexicoTed
.....There's a great, small bar/restaurant up in SD on Adams Ave. called Cantina Mayahuel. I go in once and a while to try different tequilas. The owner, Larry, knows all the good ones.


Ted,

Couldn't agree more re Cantina Mayahuel, interesting selection of tequilas and excellent Mole on Thurs? (call first to confirm).

Ken
.

[Edited on 12-1-2013 by tripledigitken]

elgatoloco - 12-2-2013 at 11:26 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
She was doing a tasting/display at the COSTCO in Mission Valley, near Qualcomm


Quote:
Originally posted by Mulegena
Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
Read the article as to locations.......I don't think it's available in the frozen north :fire:


Yes, I believe the article said it was limited to San Diego (County's) 3 main Costcos,
but didn't give the locations-- and it said it was only the Nobleza Blanca, I believe.


Purchased the Blanco today at Morena Blvd. Costco. IMHO this is a really great value. Had a sip or two and then made a salty chihuahua for the wife and a sangre Maria for me. I plan to head back tomorrow and pick up 5-6 more for friends and family for Xmas. :dudette: I also plan to swing by Old Town Liquor and get some of the other two offerings for the collection.

FYI - www.noblezatequila.com Put in you zip code and find the nearest location. :saint:

$$ ??

bajaguy - 12-3-2013 at 07:48 AM

Price at Costco??
Quote:
Originally posted by elgatoloco

Purchased the Blanco today at Morena Blvd. Costco. IMHO this is a really great value. Had a sip or two and then made a salty chihuahua for the wife and a sangre Maria for me. I plan to head back tomorrow and pick up 5-6 more for friends and family for Xmas. :dudette: I also plan to swing by Old Town Liquor and get some of the other two offerings for the collection.

FYI - www.noblezatequila.com Put in you zip code and find the nearest location. :saint:

elgatoloco - 12-3-2013 at 02:10 PM

$23.00 US 750ml
Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
Price at Costco??

Quote:
Originally posted by elgatoloco

Purchased the Blanco today at Morena Blvd. Costco. IMHO this is a really great value. Had a sip or two and then made a salty chihuahua for the wife and a sangre Maria for me. I plan to head back tomorrow and pick up 5-6 more for friends and family for Xmas. :dudette: I also plan to swing by Old Town Liquor and get some of the other two offerings for the collection.

FYI - www.noblezatequila.com Put in you zip code and find the nearest location. :saint:

MMc - 12-3-2013 at 02:27 PM

Nobelza, is all over So. Cal. just not at less then $30 per Lt. love it. My go to are el Jimador for mixed drinks. Herradua for sipping. We love 30-30 at room temp. very hard to find in the USA

tripledigitken - 12-10-2013 at 06:52 AM

elgatoloco,

Would you share your sangre maria recipe? Like to try it.

La Mesa now has the Nobleza.
Quote:
Originally posted by elgatoloco
Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
She was doing a tasting/display at the COSTCO in Mission Valley, near Qualcomm


Quote:
Originally posted by Mulegena
Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
Read the article as to locations.......I don't think it's available in the frozen north :fire:


Yes, I believe the article said it was limited to San Diego (County's) 3 main Costcos,
but didn't give the locations-- and it said it was only the Nobleza Blanca, I believe.


Purchased the Blanco today at Morena Blvd. Costco. IMHO this is a really great value. Had a sip or two and then made a salty chihuahua for the wife and a sangre Maria for me. I plan to head back tomorrow and pick up 5-6 more for friends and family for Xmas. :dudette: I also plan to swing by Old Town Liquor and get some of the other two offerings for the collection.

FYI - www.noblezatequila.com Put in you zip code and find the nearest location. :saint: