Tequila Flights
August 31, 2011
Located on the beachfront, Hayman’s Beach Pavilion, is home to some of the world’s smoothest tequila.
Tequila has suffered from a bad reputation in recent times. Often blamed for drunken nights and terrible mistakes, this historically sacred spirit is misunderstood by many.
Hayman Mixologist Iain Morrison is determined to show people that tequila can be sipped and appreciated like an aged scotch or a fine wine.
Iain doesn’t just love tequila, he loves teaching people about tequila. I soon discovered Iain is more than willing to share his extensive knowledge with anyone who will listen.
I decide to taste one of the tequilas on offer at the Beach Pavilion, but with thirty varieties of tequilas on offer, I am lost for choice.
Iain suggests I try the Patrón Tequila flight, a selection of three Patrón tequilas; Patrón Silver, Patrón Reposado and Patrón Añejo.
The flight is served with a sangrita, a spicy, citrusy fruit juice accompaniment to tequila, its origins dating back to the 1920’s. This is no chaser, it is to be sipped alternately with the tequila I’m told.
Patrón Silver is the house tequila but not like any house pour I’ve ever tasted. It has the fresh taste of agave without the harsh burn I’m accustomed to.
‘Reposado’ is translated as ‘rested’ and in tequila terms it means rested for at least two months in oak. Patrón Reposado is even smoother but has a distinctly different flavour.
“It is softer, slightly woodier compared to the silver,” Iain tells me, “the longer it spends in the oak barrels, the more of the flavours it takes on”.
The last Patrón Tequila on the flight is the Añejos, which means ‘ageing’ and refers to tequilas that have been aged for at least twelve months in oak.
The colour is a bit darker and the taste is a bit oakier. It’s not like any tequila I’ve tasted before.
Iain decides to take it one step further and pulls down a bottle of Gran Patrón Burdeos. This is no ordinary tequila. After being aged in oak for twelve months like other Añejos, Patrón Burdeos spends a further twelve months ageing in wine barrels from Bordeaux.
“The Bordeaux barrels make it this rich, amber colour as well as adding some distinct fruity flavours.”
Iain is right. I can taste raisins with a slight hint of vanilla. It still tastes like tequila, but I wouldn’t want to shot it with salt and lime. Patrón Burdeos is to be savoured and enjoyed.
To find out more about our special Month of Tequila on Hayman, click here.
