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With its lechatelierite decipherable smell and smooth profile , cristalino is a favorite in tequila ’s provenance .
Patrón
Credit:Patrón
American culinary art ( and civilisation ) would n’t be the same without tequila . From a slam chased with table salt and lime to a refreshing paloma ordered at your favorite eating house , it ’s become a go - to — and its wallop is even stronger than its tasting . Derived from the miles and mi ofagave fieldsof Jalisco , Mexico , tequila made its way to the U.S. in the twentieth century . And though it ’s on its way of life to becoming themost pop spiritin the country , many are n’t aware that there ’s so much more to tequila than just choosing between a blanco and añejo .
I ’m guilty of not appreciating the drink ’s celebrated history and complex creation — until late . I ’ve always gravitate toward vodka when it fall to cocktails , barely even finishing a margarita if I ventured out of mymojitocomfort geographical zone .
But after I had the opportunity to see how tequila come to life firsthand at PATRÓN , from the jimadores who harvest the agave to the solar day - long distillate process , that change . I began searching for and treasure the dissimilar notes and flavor profiles , which change calculate on how that sure tequila was made — and I con that there are alotof version .
Credit:Bryce Jones
PATRÓN has brought many type of tequila stateside ( 11 , to be exact , if you count the unhappily - discontinuedXO Cafe ) , and its mostrecently released bottle , cristalino , actually is n’t unexampled at all . In tequila ’s home country , it ’s a retentive - metre darling .
What Is Cristalino Tequila?
With its innovative production process , PATRÓN ’s master distiller David Rodriguez callscristalinoa plot - changer . It starts with an aged tequila ( typically an añejo or a blend of aged tequilas ) , then undergoes a special filtration through wood coal . This gives it an unexpected crystallization open appearance — but more notably , it mellows the flavor , making it smooth and lighter .
“ Once our añejo make its arrant eld , my talented squad of distiller and I filter the of age tequila through woodwind instrument charcoal , which enhances its eloquence without stripping away the flavour , ” Rodriguez says .
What Cristalino Tastes Like
“ Cristalino tequila has long been cherished in Mexico , known for its smoothness , polished taste , and advanced style — create an evolution in the means tequila can be enjoyed , ” Rodriguez enunciate . “ It ’s a unique tress on aged tequila that combines the depth and complexness of aged tequila like an añejo , but with the unobjectionable , shining look of a blanco . It ’s a pure commixture for drinkers who wantsomething innovativebut grounded in tradition . ”
Rodriguez describes the flavor visibility as velvety and sweet , with a touch of butterscotch and vanilla extract upfront — so for those who finger like tequila is generally too strong ( I can relate ) , this is probably more palatable for you . With the aftertaste , you get an essence of lightly cooked agave , oak , and a insidious bang of pepper .
Bryce Jones
Cristalino Myths and Misconceptions
With its intriguing show and luxurious taste , why has n’t cristalino caught on in the U.S. ? It ’s made other than than other types of tequila with its charcoal filtration cognitive process , which has caused some confusion ( and even a bit of controversy ) .
“ multitude often think the filtration process remove too much of the character or deepness of the tequila , but that ’s but not the vitrine , ” Rodriguez enunciate . “ The filtration really smooths everything out , give it that key signature pellucidity without sacrifice the rich relish . ”
But critics have argue it ’s not a “ veridical ” tequila because of this . “ commemorate , tequila is n’t theorise to be smooth — it ’s supposed to be bluff and complex , ” creator @thelucasassis said in a TikTok .
It ’s up to you to decide what your preferences are though , and if you like a more insidious profile , you ’ll apprise a cristalino — regardless of if it live up to everyone ’s definition of tequila . Also , while the filtration procedure is inventive , the component and traditional harvesting and zymolysis method are metre - honored .
Despite the varying opinions , cristalino is doubtless growing in popularity — on its way to accomplish the distinguished status it ’s had in Mexico for geezerhood .
“ [ toper ] are starting to explore beyond the Graeco-Roman tequila categories , with many still learning and baffle used to what a cristalino tequila even is , ” Rodriguez enunciate . “ As awareness grow about what makes cristalino tequila so exceptional , it ’s pull ahead more wonderment and interest , just like it has in Mexico . ”
How to Try Cristalino
If you ’re a first - clip imbiber of cristalino , Rodriguez recommends sip it swell oron the careen . In general , stay away from snapshot — this tequila is mean to be more of a sip - and - savour experience . accord to Rodriguez , you ’re more capable to get a sense of the workmanship and gamey - quality ingredients this agency .
I was decidedly uneasy to try it straight up — but despite my tequila biases , I was cheerily surprise by how easily it went down . ( Pro tip : Pour it into achampagne glassif you need to treat yourself to a picayune here and now of elegance . )
Cristalino works in just about any cocktail , too , from mere measure classics to fresher shoot on Mexican staples like thePATRÓN Cristalino Margarita , which “ lets those caramel , vanilla extract and oak savor shine through while complement the citrusy - impudence of the margarita , ” Rodriguez says . For an easy gang - pleaser , he hint throwing together aPATRÓN Cristalino & Sodafinished with a charred lemon . The bubble and smokiness of the yield “ accent the smoothness of the cristalino while celebrate the drink light . ”
No matter how you decide to imbibe it , you may expect to gain a new linear perspective on tequila as a whole — and mayhap even breathing in to let yourself alter your gustation .
“ In my part as Master Distiller , I am forever inspired by how drinkers ’ tastes are acquire , and I love the idea of inclose them to the complex flavor and workmanship of our tequilas , ” Rodriguez say . “ We ’re proud to be at the forefront of this evolution , bringing a exchange premium , linear - free tequila that ’s deeply steady down in Mexico ’s fat heritage to the American consumer . ”
