Should you go MIXTO?
Jan 24 '02
The Bottom Line With mixtos, you really have a higher risk of getting yourself in trouble, because of lesser quality control standards and raw materials used.
So far, quite a bunch of people have mailed me about my seemingly notable hatred towards Mixto tequila. There are quite a few things everyone should know about Mixtos, because not all are as bad as I have led some people to believe, apparently.
I´ll spare you the part about tequila manufacturing, raw materials and such things. Heck, I´ll even go around the tedious chamical explanations involved in fermentation, yeasts and so on. The MOST important thing to remember when comparing MIxtos to 100% agave products, is precisely what the names imply: Mixtos contain up to 49% "other sugars" besides those found in blue agave juices.
It is CRUCIAL for you out there to understand that it is, in fact, possible to sometimes find better mixtos than certain "100%"´s. This is where quality control and raw material selection becomes very important regarding our touchy subject.
Fact is, one of the most popular tequila brands in Mexico turned from 100% to a Mixto in a jiffy, the vast majority of its consumers ignoring it (ok, ok....stop tourturing yourselves, the brand is JIMADOR.) Just as this was happening, I was served some complimentary tequila at a restaurant, which is a fairly common practice in this city. Without knowing the brand, I sipped the freebie, which was a lot better than I expected. Good agave presence, moderate bite, a mildly pleasing aftertaste...but its texture was too watery, it just behaved too nervously in the mouth..as I inquired with the hostes the brand of this tequila, when she mentioned "Jimador" I got fired up. Jimador was a lousy tequila, an extremely sharp and dry "100%". But this specimen had all the signs of being a Mixto. When I asked for the bottle to read the label...well,surprise! The "100% Blue agave" legend was gone from the label for good!!
Can you believe that, contrary to my beliefs, I started to sample more mixtos? I did, and some results left me very, very amazed. Some brands like 7 Leguas, La Cofradía and even Sauza produce quite decent Mixtos, at least better tasting than some lowly and cheapy "100%"´s out there in the american market. You know who they are.
This situation led me to pay a visit to some tequila manufacturing plans in the area (remember thah my home is in Guadalajara, Mexico, just 20 minutes away from the town of Tequila), which is very easy for me since I happen to know several "key people" in the business.
I will not discolse names or brands, but what I saw in some cases left me in awe. Mixto production is far from being a "solemn and artisanal ritual" in most cases. In general (but there are exemptions to this rule) Mixtos are produced whithout real quality control, specially on the alcohol being added from the "other sugars" sources. Alcohol made from sugar cane is very cheap, and readily available. Man, this is what doctors use in Hospitals!!
As if this was not bad enough, I witnessed the most amazing displays of chemical prowesses, turning 100% gave Blanco into "mixto" Gold in 4 minutes flat. Need I say that this takes a LOT of artificial coloring and scents to be achieved. SOme mixtos I saw were more manipulated than a President from a Central America country!!!
If you are drinking tequila to blow your brains off, go ahead, just load yourself on any cheap mixto that comes in front of you. It will make no difference when the final result comes: a thumping headache, a slimy mouth, blurred vision and the conviction (at least for following 5 hours) that you will NEVER, EVER, drink tequila again.
The bottom line is: MIxtos tend to be excessively manipulated and altered in production a lot more frequently than 100% agave brands. This doesnt mean that the 100% brands are always better, since they too alter and manipulate flavor, color and other solid contents down the road.
Just be careful of what you are drinking. With mixtos, you have a higher chance of drinking low quality alcohols from sugar cane and other sources than with 100% types. Remember that alcohol is NOT welcome in your body, and if you consume higher doses of cheap alcohol, it will really get you in trouble.
This is why I prefer 100% Blue agave tequilas over mixtos every time. You should, too.
ENJOY!
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lirubis
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Some of us are born with a stronger sense of curiosity.
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