Review: Gran Centenario Azul Tequila Reposado
Cinco de Mayo is just two days away, and that means it's tequila time. Here's a new one that just launched in April.
Gran Centenario already makes a full line of tequilas, including a reposado, but recently the company expanded with a new brand called Azul. The big draw: At $16 a bottle, it's about a third the price of Gran Centenario's standard-label reposado and one of the cheapest non-mixto tequilas on the market (if not the cheapest).
I wish I had Gran Centenario's standard reposado to compare against, but since I don't, take my remarks on a standalone basis. Bluntly: Azul (the name is Spanish for "blue," as in blue agave) is a fine tequila, especially at this remarkable price.
100 percent blue agave, rested for two months, and bottled at 80 proof, it's incredibly smooth. Agave is strong on the nose and up front in the palate, but it gives way to wood, vanilla, and a lingering sweetness that's hard not to enjoy. Some vegetal notes make the finish somewhat less than perfect, and Azul is hardly a complex spirit on the whole, but this is a product that exudes both versatility and quality.
Bottom line: This is easily a go-to tequila for any cocktail and it works quite well for sipping straight, too. (I will note, however, that I had some trouble with the built-in bottle pourer, which refused to relinquish any tequila at all until it was fiddled with extensively.)
A- / $16 / proximospirits.com
Similar Posts:
- Review: Gran Centenario Plata (Blanco) Tequila
- Review: Oro Azul Tequilas
- Review: Gran Centenario Leyenda Extra Anejo Tequila
- Review: Gran Centenario Rosangel Hibiscus Tequila
June 28th, 2009 - 22:27
I’m still wondering how to open the bottle!!!! finally jammed a ice pick thru it.
So any better ideas??
June 29th, 2009 - 08:14
Can’t remember how I got that off. I think it involved a monkey wrench, though.
July 4th, 2009 - 20:35
well after reading other peoples techniques of getting the bottle open, we decided to stick a pen in the hole && pounded it w/ a monkey wrench, until it broke. we will probably die from lead poisoning but @ least were drinking our margaritas now!!!!
&& we forgot milk……=(
July 5th, 2009 - 07:24
Getting to the “pour” of Azul requires getting past the major design flaw at the top of the bottle. We too opted for the Trotsky method…jamming an ice pick in the head of the plastic cap. Once we “tapped it” and got into the actual flow of making our margaritas on the rocks, everyone’s spirits became markedly higher. Azul is very smooth though lacking the complexities of my favorite reposados like Chamucos and Arete. All in all we were pleasantly surprised and you can’t beat the price unless you’re purchasing your tequila off the back of a truck in Nogales, TX.
July 5th, 2009 - 07:28
Correction…Nogales, AZ. My gyroscope is a bit awry after our late night, rooftop margarita party to view the Macy’s July 4th firework display on the Hudson.
p.s. Buy Azul, you can’t go wrong!
July 25th, 2009 - 18:42
You fools. The design of the bottle tip is to airate the tequila as you pour. You must hold it upside down into the glass (like a ketchup bottle),and shake a bit if it doesn’t come out – give a firm tap at its base. It will stream the Tequila.
July 25th, 2009 - 18:43
If you still can’t get it open then buy a $2 bottle of cold duck and enjoy.
August 28th, 2009 - 01:00
lol thanks Alfredo
November 27th, 2009 - 04:13
Just tilt bottle and tap bottom lightly to pour. ancient mexican secret.
January 23rd, 2010 - 12:57
I don’t care about the pouring…. I just want to know why this Tequlia is the only one without a hangover. How is that possible? I actually feel good the next day after a bottle of this stuff? WTF?
February 1st, 2010 - 20:28
u just shake the bottle a bit once ur pouring it and it comes right out. also its very yum… got mine in mexico..
March 23rd, 2010 - 20:31
Only buy this in Mexico. If you buy it in the US, you will be disappointed. It happened to me. Had this in Mexico, thought it was the best tequila because it was so smooth. Came back to the US, and went to Rayleys, the tequila sucked. It was so strong and not smooth at all.
April 7th, 2010 - 11:44
Alfredo,
what you say about the difference between Azul in Mexico and in US is weird, and i believe that it is more related to your actual ood, your physical state at tthe moment of drinking, if you were tired or not, etc
it is exactly the same tequila produced in Mexico than in the US, no difference for the markets.
April 14th, 2010 - 21:22
mix it with some good ole’ hamemade sweet tea and just hold the bottle straight up and pop the bottem of bottle for a solid pour, dont waste time trying to get thru plastic. good shit in sweet tea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 14th, 2010 - 21:22
mix it with some good ole’ homemade sweet tea and just hold the bottle straight up and pop the bottem of bottle for a solid pour, dont waste time trying to get thru plastic. good shit in sweet tea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 20th, 2010 - 08:12
The difference from a mexicos azul and the one here is very simple the azul overthere is 35% alcohol and here it 40% that’s why is smoother overthere and a tequila from mexico is always better.
May 8th, 2010 - 20:15
Try sucking on that thing. Pour even worse,,,taste however, at least $60.
May 16th, 2010 - 18:38
suck it…like a beautiful breast
June 11th, 2010 - 19:13
Thanks for the instructions on how to open this. I was about to get really pissed.
July 23rd, 2010 - 18:15
We were confused about the top and felt like monkeys trying to finish a puzzle to get a reward, in this case Azul. lol. I hopped on this site and found the key to sweet, sweet tequila, but my friend had already taken the special rocket science top off. It’s okay. That’s what corks are for!!!
August 9th, 2010 - 10:31
Trouble pouring, huh? Maybe they switched up the spout or something, I got the large bottle of it, and never had any trouble thank god. Good tequila, it’s one of the cheapest 100%reps you can get, and it’s good stuff. Thinking about buying a bunch of it for the value, although that would take away from sampling other stuff.