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 it, 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://fbworld.com/2011/04/23/georges-rants-raves-avion-silver-tequila/ .
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.
By George Brozowski