Learning to Appreciate Agave with Partida
The full Partida Lineup, including the Partida Elegante ready to be tasted.
What’s the first thing you think of when you hear the word Tequila? Is it Margarita’s or is it shots? Have you ever thought of tequila as something that should be sipped, taken in and appreciated?
While Tequila is one of the most well known liquors, up until the past few years it seems to have gotten a bad rap. It’s usually associated with bad summer drinks, spring break, and shots. A few companies are working to change this perception, and recently I had the opportunity to meet with someone whose product advocates that tequila has come a long way and has come into it’s own, ready to compete with whiskey, and other beverages that are usually sipped either neat or on ice. This individual happened to be J. Gary Shansby, the CEO of Partida tequila.
Partida named after the family that owns the agave fields, in which it’s main ingredient Agave originates from, embodies all that tequila should be.
From the simple un-aged purity of the Blanco to the aged matured Anejo, Partida just gets it right. No ifs ands or spilled bottles.
Partida comes in several varieties, each adding it’s own uniqueness to the brand line up. Whether it’s the floral notes that’s picked up in the Blanco or the varying undertones of chocolate, banana, and cherry and spice that’s tasted in the reposado. Each sip of Partida is a new experience in taste.
While discussing Partida tequila with Gary he explained the proper way to experience your first two tastes of any quality tequila and how to get yourself used to the beverage.
On the proper way to taste tequila for the first time-
Like any other aged nectar , the first step is to smell the fragrance of the tequila The recommended way to do this is to leave your mouth open partially so as not to inhale the alcohol, but rather take in the flavor.
Next, place a small amount on your tongue and roll it along your sides and then swallow. Repeat this step a second time. The first time, this will cleanse your palate from anything that previously touched your tongue. Upon the second taste, you will start to pick up the undertones and flavors.
Partida’s Lineup-
The Blanco-Clear in Color, Not Aged. Flavors of floral and citrus
he Reposado- Amber and Golden in appearance. Aged Six Months. Flavors are of chocolate, almond, hazelnut, vanilla with a deep finish.
The Anejo-Golden in color with mild copper tones. Aged 18 Months. A very deep and defined flavor that consists of notes of honey, fruit, and spices, with a smooth finish.
The Partida Family
[...] we’ve written about Partida Elegante before in both an overview of Partida’s Product line as well as inclusion in our Father’s Day Gift Guide, we felt leaving it out of an article on [...]