Agave plants from which Tequila is produced are spiky little devils and it no doubt takes a good bit of skill to get the harvesting right if you are not to end up with some nasty lacerations. These workmen are known as Jimadors in Mexico and so it seems only right that they have a Tequila named in honour of the work they do. El Jimador Blanco is produced by the same people behind Herradura and like its sister brand is estate grown and bottled. After harvesting, the Pina’s (heart of the Agave) are steamed in brick and stone ovens for 24hrs before being crushed to extract the juices. This juice (the ‘Mosto’) is transferred to open air tanks for airborne yeast’s to start the fermentation process before being twice-distilled. The blanco is then bottled without further ageing.
Nose: Plenty of limey citrus overlying an earthy and slightly funky aroma together with fermenting agave and a moderate helping of raw alcohol. Hints of biscuits, crab apples and turpentine add to the complexity of this tequila which certainly smells better than the price point would suggest.
Neat: A little funky, with sharp and spicy notes together with lints of lime, vegetable oil ad agave syrup. This keenly priced Tequila was never intended as a sipper but it promises potential as a mixer.
Mixing: The lack of refinement and complexity on the palate mean this is not the perfect choice for a straight Margarita but it does perform much better in twists where another flavour helps boost the profile such as with the addition of honey in the Lolita Margarita. Perhaps a little surprisingly it is rather enjoyable in a Tequila and Tonic where the extra dilution brings out an improved flavour profile but where the lightness of this tequila also ensures the drink remains approachable for those who might not have considered such a combination before. Similarly, the Paloma (see recipe below) makes for a decent choice as the Tequila allows the other flavours to sing, resulting in a drink that is not too Tequila-y. All things considered, this is a Tequila best suited to longer, refreshing drinks which is no bad thing at all.
Signature Cocktail – Paloma
2oz El Jimador Blanco Tequila, 0.5oz Lime Juice, 0.25oz Sugar Syrup, Grapefruit Soda
Shake first three ingredients with ice and strain over ice into a highball glass. Top with grapefruit soda.
El Jimador Blanco is a very keenly priced tequila that makes for a reasonable choice in long, refreshing cocktails where a lightness of flavour is desirable. Rating:★★★
El Jimador Blanco is available to buy from Master of Malt.
★: Terrible, only drink for a dare. ★★: Meh, not undrinkable but best left alone. ★★★: Reasonable, middle of the road. ★★★★: Tasty stuff, well worth seeking out. ★★★★★: Incredible, booze doesn’t get better than this. You need a bottle in your life.
Review – El Jimador Tequila
Agave plants from which Tequila is produced are spiky little devils and it no doubt takes a good bit of skill to get the harvesting right if you are not to end up with some nasty lacerations. These workmen are known as Jimadors in Mexico and so it seems only right that they have a Tequila named in honour of the work they do. El Jimador Blanco is produced by the same people behind Herradura and like its sister brand is estate grown and bottled. After harvesting, the Pina’s (heart of the Agave) are steamed in brick and stone ovens for 24hrs before being crushed to extract the juices. This juice (the ‘Mosto’) is transferred to open air tanks for airborne yeast’s to start the fermentation process before being twice-distilled. The blanco is then bottled without further ageing.
Neat: A little funky, with sharp and spicy notes together with lints of lime, vegetable oil ad agave syrup. This keenly priced Tequila was never intended as a sipper but it promises potential as a mixer.
Mixing: The lack of refinement and complexity on the palate mean this is not the perfect choice for a straight Margarita but it does perform much better in twists where another flavour helps boost the profile such as with the addition of honey in the Lolita Margarita. Perhaps a little surprisingly it is rather enjoyable in a Tequila and Tonic where the extra dilution brings out an improved flavour profile but where the lightness of this tequila also ensures the drink remains approachable for those who might not have considered such a combination before. Similarly, the Paloma (see recipe below) makes for a decent choice as the Tequila allows the other flavours to sing, resulting in a drink that is not too Tequila-y. All things considered, this is a Tequila best suited to longer, refreshing drinks which is no bad thing at all.
Signature Cocktail – Paloma
2oz El Jimador Blanco Tequila, 0.5oz Lime Juice, 0.25oz Sugar Syrup, Grapefruit Soda
Shake first three ingredients with ice and strain over ice into a highball glass. Top with grapefruit soda.
El Jimador Blanco is available to buy from Master of Malt.
★: Terrible, only drink for a dare.
★★: Meh, not undrinkable but best left alone.
★★★: Reasonable, middle of the road.
★★★★: Tasty stuff, well worth seeking out.
★★★★★: Incredible, booze doesn’t get better than this. You need a bottle in your life.