Swill
March 8th, 2010
Once you leave Mexico, drinking tequila is a dodgy issue. Take a look at the bar at Mena’s Palace, a beloved luncheonette in the French Quarter of New Orleans. On the middle shelf you can find a couple of brands of tequila, “Juarez” and “Pepe Lopez,” that I have never seen in Mexico. Call me skeptical, but I wouldn’t disinfect my bathtub with that stuff. (I would also stay away from that bottle of “Aristocrat” gin.) Something tells me that Mena’s has Greek owners, because on the bottom shelf they carry both Metaxa, a brandy I remember from my sojourn in Athens as a 20-year-old, and several brands of ouzo, including one that appears to be twelve years old.
Labels: Mexico City
11 Responses to “Swill”
By Judy on Mar 8, 2010
I clearly see a bottle of Hornitos next to the Pepe Lopez. Best you can do under the circumstances.
By Martin on Mar 9, 2010
Would such a sin have been committed at Old Absinthe House?
By Bill Bitopoulos on Mar 9, 2010
you are right to be suspect as greeks no nothing about tequila.
By Brian Denton on Mar 9, 2010
Mr. Lida,
My roommate from Veracruz brought home a tequila named Cien Años. I’m not an expert on tequila, but it was the best I’ve ever tasted. Are you familiar with this product?
By alex flores on Mar 9, 2010
I’m from Jalisco(Guadalajara) and it’s a well known fact that the most expensives tequilas are not always the best. There are many factors as to why a brand of tequila can be expensive and has nothing to do with quality. The same goes with less expensive tequilas. Best thing is to sample a few mid-range priced ones and decide which ones you like best. I like Chamucos, Herencia de Plata and 1800 to mention a few. All of them Añejos. However these are sometimes hard to find outside Mexico but not impossible. I live in Hong Kong and we get Chamucos and 1800 here.
By Don Cuevas on Mar 10, 2010
Cien Años is very good; so is Centenario Reposado. But I even like the Cabritos Tequila, especially when you get the little bottle taped to the side of a bigger one, for under $150 MXP.
Costco had a discount on a fancy Tequila in a tall, artsy bottle. It’s so tall, it won’t fit on my liquour shelf. I have to have it out on a table. It’s o.k., but kind of wimpy.
Let’s see; it’s called “Tequila Reposado Don Ramón”.
Saludos,
Don Cuevas
By Strika on Mar 13, 2010
When I lived in Israel 16 years ago, I used to drink Tequila Sombrero and Tequila Durango. Needless to say it was revolting.
By Ron Cooper on Mar 16, 2010
David for a better / Great selection of agave spirits in NOLA go to a bar called CURE. To find other bars and retailers that stock Del Maguey, Single Village mezcals check with our distributor:
Lirette Selections -Matt Lirette, Founder
504-393-1212, mattlirette@att.net, http://www.liretteselections.com
110 Derrick Road-Suite A, Belle Chasse, LA 70037
By James Saft on Mar 19, 2010
We just got back from a great trip to Mexico City, inspired in part by your book. Sadly our copy was drenched on our return by a broken bottle of tequila in our luggage. A fitting end, no?
By Alejandro on Apr 1, 2010
The JB to the far left is good enough for me.
By Everett McCourt on Apr 10, 2010
Hi David,
I feel for the couple who arrived with broken tequila all over your drenched book but I think it only enhanced the value.Wonder what brand it was?
-BTW thanks again for guiding me to the best tequilas all over Mexico City and Ron’s private stash of Mezcal. Better stick with our Sazerak’s in the Big Easy.