Review: Tequila Avion
This new brand hails from New York, where a former Seagram exec decided to strike out on his own in the brave new world of tequila. As the story goes, founder Ken Austin scoured Jalisco for the best spirit that hadn't made it to the U.S., and found it on the highest agave plantation in the area, where the agave was being slow-roasted at low temperatures in order to keep a mellow, sweet character in the resulting spirit.
The result is Avion, bottled from this mysterious source (and even ready in reposado and anejo versions) and ready for sale in the U.S.
I tasted all three varieties during an Avion visit to San Francisco recently and have sampled the Silver on its own later -- only reconfirming my thoughts about this solid, top-shelf product.
All are 100% agave and 80 proof.
Tequila Avion Silver - Sweeter than the blanco you're probably used to, with a buttery body and fruity notes of pineapple and lemon. Herbs and some agave kick in for the finish, which is smooth and without almost any bite at all. Gorgeous. A / $45
Tequila Avion Reposado - Aged 6 months, quite long for a reposado, which gives it impressive caramel and vanilla notes, which play well with the agave in the body. It's surprisingly light in color for a spirit with a flavor this rich, while also disarming in its complexity. A / $50
Tequila Avion Anejo - A masterpiece. Aged two years, giving it huge vanilla and cinnamon character, with notes of nougat, chocolate, and fresh cookies. Maple syrup lines the finish, but all the way it is nothing but smoothness. A beautiful, old tequila that can stand up to the big boys' anejos -- and extra anejos. Also an absurd bargain considering the quality. A+ / $55
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July 27th, 2010 - 19:07
Wasn’t this the brand featured on the last episode of Entourage?
July 27th, 2010 - 20:09
Yes it was, they are going big with this Tequila, nice, very nice Avion.
July 28th, 2010 - 06:27
That’s too funny! I just saw the Entourage episode last night and I just stumbled upon this website this morning. Guess I should look into picking up a bottle.
July 28th, 2010 - 09:55
Just had the Anejo last night… it is effing good.
July 29th, 2010 - 04:50
I have never tasted a tequila as smooth as Avion Anejo… WOW!
August 1st, 2010 - 06:53
Avion is the best tequila I ever tasted. Patron watch out. Will never drink Patron again. Bottle is awesome too
August 8th, 2010 - 10:53
All my fellow bartenders in NYC can see through the marketing haze, smoke and mirrors.
This is no new classic. Bring me a Casa Noble. Or a Cuervo Tradicional.
August 9th, 2010 - 00:30
As can I but if it sells hotter than patron here I’ll order it. Haven’t tried it yet though.
August 9th, 2010 - 21:32
Read the review from drinkhacker. This reviewer does not mess around. The marketing is solid but the Avion is even better. The real deal. Everyone knows Patron is only marketing.
August 10th, 2010 - 05:00
This is a marketing brand. No heritage just manufactured for the tv show. Silver is ok but not work the price. Reposado and Anejo are crap. The owners must think we’re stupid to jump on a make believe brand.
August 15th, 2010 - 12:55
I met the people from Avion two weeks ago in my bar and 6 of us did a blind taste test against Patron, Don Julio, El Tesoro and Cuervo Trad. We asked to do the taste test to make it fun. We sell shitloads of tequila in our place mostly Patron but Avion doing well now too thanks to how much we like it and people asking for it more every day. We didn’t know which was which and 5 of us picked Avion as the best. Anyone who says it’s crap is either a competitor or is full of crap. They are very nice people, all come from the industry and worked on the brand for a long time and wasn’t made for tv. They spent an hour with us. They told me getting on Entourage didn’t cost anything which is off the hook and how grateful they are so why attack them? BTW, it’s blowing up in our place and I work at one of the hottest bars in the meatpacking district in NY.
August 15th, 2010 - 16:51
The entourage thing was too cheesy. The Monkeys of tequilla.
August 23rd, 2010 - 21:27
Contract tequila, the ones making the money are US citizens who own Jets, not the agave farmers in Mexico where the $ should be going. Avion is in the same boat as Justin Timberlakes 901 and Sammy Haggars Cabo Wabo, marketing is great the tequila is not.
The guys may be nice but what business do a bunch of white dudes in the states have making tequila……………it is made in the same place as Clase Azul…….do your home work kids, their are 20+ brands coming out of that distillery, NOM is 1416 check it out for yourself and enjoy
August 29th, 2010 - 20:07
Don Julio 1942 is twice the price and 10 times as good.