Father’s Day is right around the corner, and nothing bespeaks dad’s nonpareil mentorship like his heirs’ discerning taste in spirits. My old man is a whiskey nerd, but he already has enough Laphroaig and Pappy Van Winkle to pass around with friends well into his golden years. And dad, nearly a septuagenarian, frankly needs to broaden his spirited horizons beyond the cherished whiskey styles from Kentucky, Japan, and Scotland. So, this Father’s Day, I am treating pops to a whirlwind tour of Jalisco through the wonderful world of tequila.
Most tequilas on this list are añejos, the category most closely resembling whiskey. As with bourbon, Scotch, or Armagnac, añejos age in oak barrels, usually for 1-3 years but occasionally longer in the case of extra añejos. Oak aging embellishes blue agave’s signature citrus, pepper, and herbal flavors with barrel notes like cinnamon, caramel, and baking spices. Aging also mellows agave distillate into a smooth, amber-brown nectar. Añejos are generally the priciest tequilas on the market (though there are plenty of great affordable añejo tequilas), but, hey, dad damn well deserves it.
So this June 16th, kick back on the patio with padre, soak in the summer sunshine, and raise a glass of fine tequila to fatherhood. It’s a better way to thank him than a necktie or pair of argyle socks.
Teremana Añejo
I discovered Teremana on a Hinge date at Manhattan’s Superbueno, the No. 2 ranked bar on the coveted World’s 50 Best Bars List. My romancing skills floundered, but the upside of the evening was tasting one of the most interesting new tequila brands I have enjoyed in recent memory. A portmanteau of the Latin terra (earth) and Polynesian mana (good cheer), Teremana is helmed by none other than Dwayne Johnson. Rest assured, however, that Teremana doesn't rely on The Rock’s fame to pique connoisseurs' devotion. At under $50, Teremana Añejo offers the most bang for the buck among the mainstays of my tequila collection. Teremana Añejo drinks well neat, but since bottles are affordable, I don’t mind using it to tinker with new cocktails. Beneath the parade of zippy citrus, fresh herbs, and tropical flowers lie hints of minerality—a hallmark of highlands tequilas—and just a kiss of smokiness.
Buy: $43.99
LALO Blanco
I would be remiss not to include an exceptional blanco, the category that best showcases agave’s pure flavors, in my dad’s tequila tutelage. Blancos do not see any oak aging, with agave quality and terroir driving the flavor profile. Many tequila companies add preservatives and flavorings, but the highest-quality blancos only contain three ingredients: water, blue agave, and yeast. Eduardo Gonzales, the founder of LALO, is the grandson of tequil legend Don Julio. And while Homer asserted that “Sons are rarely similar to their father; most are worse, and precious few are better.” Here, you can be the judge of whether the scion exceeds the forefather. LALO’s flavor profile, as refreshing as an evening breeze in Jalisco’s mountains, highlights archetypical agave flavors like pepper, lemon, and freshly cut grass. LALO is the tequila blanco par excellence in margaritas or palomas, but the complex citrus potpourri is worth savoring neat as well. Hell, slice up a lime, grab the salt shaker, and rip a chilled shot with dad.
Buy: $47.99
Herradura Legend
Herradura, a distillery in the lowlands of Jalisco, is the only remaining distillery in Mexico legally recognized as a hacienda, meaning the property houses tequila-making facilities as well as a company town complete with a blacksmith, market, and chapel. Tequila-making traditions in Amatitán, home to the Herradura distillery, are some of the oldest in Mexico. Herradura Legend vividly showcases the delicious dance between oak and agave. The distillate sits in heavily charred new American oak barrels for 12 months. Coopers carve grooves inside each barrel for even deeper mingling between wood and alcohol. The dark brown elixir extracted from the barrel scintillates with whiffs of anise, citrus rind, and pipe tobacco. Drink it neat from a champagne glass to fully enjoy the perfume of this sensual Jalisco belle.
Buy: $140
Mijenta Añejo
A stalwart in Mexico City’s hippest cocktail bars, Mijenta Añejo ages in a medley of American oak, French oak, acacia, and cherry. Each cask contributes to a symphony masterfully composed for your palate, and the finished product is as deeply nuanced as fine wine. You can feel good about supporting Mijenta, too, as the company only harvests blue agave at the plant’s peak ripeness and cleaves to sustainable tequila-making practices at every step. Sip Mijenta from a Glencairn glass to bring funky notes like pipe tobacco, raw cacao, and leather to the fore. Hints of flowers, honey, and bergamot are subtle but delightful. I use Mijenta to riff on a Japanese highball—mixing up clean, refreshing cocktails of seltzer water, tequila, and a spritz of lime. The intense barrel flavors marry gorgeously with bitters or amaro—try Mijenta in a tequila negroni.
Buy: $170
Flecha Azul Extra Añejo
An old adage from Mexico avers that the most dangerous outlaws, like the most dangerous snakes, are the quietest. I won’t name any names, but many luxury tequilas rely on loud marketing tactics to push product. Flecha Azul Extra Añejo, on the other hand, has no need of gimmicks or glitz; the agave ambrosia, held within an unimposing bottle, speaks volumes for itself. The meticulous process of crafting Flecha Azul Extra Añejo begins with hand-harvesting the choicest blue agave in the deserts of Jalisco. The juice then rests in ex-bourbon barrels for 36 months, picking up tawny hues and twinkles of vanilla, caramel, and molasses—a flavor profile reminiscent of Michter’s or Blanton's, two of my dad’s favorite bourbons. Try this tequila in mint juleps, old-fashioneds, or any of your favorite bourbon tipples. It pairs gloriously with chocolate and cigars.
Buy: $339.97
Casa Obsidiana Añejo
An ode to Mexican Cubism, the Casa Obsidiana bottle is as striking as the liquid treasure within. Casa Obsidiana ages 15 months in French oak casks that once held Napa Valley Chardonnay. Reminiscent of a superb Cognac, the bouquet of Casa Obsidiana is a riot of dark fruits—think stewed prunes, raisins, and even hints of tamarind paste. Dig deep into the recesses of your lizard brain and conjure the sensory memories of eating Fig Newtons on a childhood picnic. The chocolatey ripe figs. The jammy texture. Behold the adult version of that joy: Casa Obsidiana Añejo. Enjoy it neat first, then see how this dark, fragrant tequila enlivens smoky cocktails or tiki drinks.
Buy: $339.99
