By
George Brozowski
Ahhh,
deadlines, in one way, shape, form or another we
all have them in virtually everything we do and rarely, if
ever, escape from them. In writing this regular column I have
a weekly deadline that affords me a few days to mull over
what I might want to write about above and beyond the usual
tasting results. I guess I could take the easy way out and
just publish my tasting notes and be done with it but then
you would probably get bored with my column and stop reading
it altogether. At least I like to believe that.
I
still draw a great deal of inspiration from the late great
Andy Rooney who ranted and raved about whatever struck his
fancy or ire every week on 60 Minutes. I truly miss that feisty
old curmudgeon. I also attempt to emulate the gonzo journalistic
stylings of Hunter S. Thompson, that wild and crazy writer
who gave you Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas among other insane
but brilliant pieces. Many was the time he was sent out on
assignment and ended up writing about his own misadventures
rather than slavishly documenting his real assignment.
I
try to bring a bit of each of those flavors to this column
and sometimes give you some history on the spirit and the
brand I am writing about while other times hopefully regale
you with my own adventures and misadventures. Sometimes I
spin a tall tale and other times I tell it like it is or was
or even wanted to be while other times I just mix it all up
to keep it interesting.
The
one thing I am totally honest about, each and every time,
is my opinion about the spirit I am writing about. If I like
it I will let you know, if I hate you'll also hear about that.
You may have noticed that at times I do not agree with other
reviewers. This is a very good thing. Just like with movie
reviewers, you have to find a spirit reviewer you can agree
with more times than not and then you'll know what to buy
and what to avoid because we share similar tastes.
Now
for the good part, let's get to the tasting. Oh yes, before
I begin I should point out that a while back I tried Avion
Silver Tequila and found it to my liking. You can
get the complete scoop on Avion and read that Rave here; http://fandbi/Mag.Spring.2011/avion/index.html.
Well, I guess Ken Austin, the founder of Tequila Avion decided
to risk his reputation by running his Anejo by my taste buds
so he had one of his Vestal Virgins (it's all explained in
the previous column) pack up a small bottle and had it hand
delivered to me. I gotta tell you that's the first time in
my life I had ever laid eyes upon a real honest to goodness
Vestal Virgin and everything I have ever heard is true. I
wanted to invite her in and see if some of the other rumors
I had heard were true but she declined because she had other
bottles to deliver that day but gave me a smile and a rain
check. God, I hope it rains soon.
Avion
Anejo is pale gold and has been aged in oak for two
years. The first sniff is complex and reminiscent of a fine
old cognac. The aroma is a mix of vanilla and oak heavy with
agave and backed by sweet fruit possibly a pinch of peach.
On the palate it sits calmly conveying that agave and oak.
At that point it provides a sense of sweetness rather than
a taste of sweetness that's subtle yet rich and thick. It
is a warmth waiting to explode in sensual spice and potent
yet pleasant pepper the moment it is swallowed. Now that's
what I call a magical transition that would make even David
Copperfield proud. The finish is long and fruity and spicy
and I dare say would compliment a fine cigar nicely. It is
almost cognac like in its finish, nice work Ken, you've done
it again. It's around $55.00 per 750 ml bottle which is just
about the price point for a decent little cognac and I might
add should be consumed just like a decent little cognac, in
a snifter straight up. If you're going to use this Tequila
in a mixed drink then you're either rich or stupid or both.
For
more Rants & Raves click
here.
http://tequilaavion.com/