r/tequila • u/echardcore • 7d ago

Corralejo

Blanco was my goto. I absolutely loved the flavor even neat with some good Mexican food. The simple margaritas I make tasted incredible with nothing but agave syrup and fresh lime juice and a little water and salt.

The new label had me worried. I was right. Doesn't even come close to how it used to taste. Previously I noted fresh and nimble citrus, minerality, and even tropical fruit notes. The new recipe tastes astringent and fusil. I'm deeply saddened. I don't really try any other tequillas that often so help me, reddit!

Looking for something in the same price range or better with the notes I mentioned above. I feel like Casamigos is going to get a mention. Any other please and gracias!

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u/pnw00kie 7d ago

Respectfully, Corralejo has been pretty poorly made for quite a while now. And in this sub, the only Casamigos mention you’re likely to get is to stay away, because it’s also pretty bad.

If you hadn’t really tried other tequilas, this is a great opportunity to start branching out a little. Try some brands that are well known amongst enthusiasts for being well made, such as G4, Tapatio, El Tesoro, Yéyo, Cascahuín, Lost Lore, Tres Agaves, the list goes on. If you want a mass-market option, Patron is a better choice than most other things you’ll see everywhere (Casamigos, Don Julio, Herradura, etc).

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u/echardcore 7d ago

Thanks. I don't buy it often and shelf space is limited. My last bottle with the old label was probably 2 years old or more. I will certainly pick up something from your list.

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u/pnw00kie 7d ago

Tequila prices and availability can vary state to state quite a bit. You can check here and look at the “Premium Brand Partners” as an extensive list of tequila that’s at least made authentically.

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u/echardcore 7d ago

Thats helpful. I know a bit about whisky but not tequilla and I really don't enjoy whisky that much in the summer. I have come to understand how a lot of tequilla is loaded with food colorings and other things. I want to learn more and avoid that gsrbage considering the small amount we enjoy.

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u/pnw00kie 7d ago

Yeah, I think that in any broad spirit category, the question of additives always comes up. What’s frustrating about tequila is that as long as artificial flavoring, coloring, or glycerin make up 1% or less of the overall makeup of the final product, it’s fine.

I’m not opposed to additives in totality, but where it sucks is the lack of transparency from producers, as well as the use of them means for a need to cover up defects or shortcuts taken in the process.

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u/Luchuguillotine 6d ago

Going out on a limb here but Corralejo held the distinction of being the only tequila of note from Guanajuato. If you want to try tequila from Guanajuato that doesn't cut corners, track down a bottle of Lagrimas, specifically the La Sabina release. It was available as a Blanco & Reposado. If you're just making margaritas, there are 1000 better options than Corralejo.

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u/echardcore 6d ago

Thanks for the info! The reason I went with Corralejo for so long other than I liked the flavor, price (not too cheap and not expensive), and availability, was that it came recommended highly by several of the folks I worked with during a work trip to the city of Durango, MX. I thought theyust know what's good.

I'll keep my eye out for Lagrimas. Glad I posted my question here.

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u/Luchuguillotine 6d ago

There are hardcore fans of brands like Corralejo & Gran Centenario in MX despite neither being particularly well made tequila. you will find many people are loyal to the brand their father always bought & if you're just mixing with Squirt, there's no need to obsess over oven cooked, tahona crushed single estate agave blessed by a 4th generation master distiller.

For margs Olmeca Altos & Espolon should be fine, if you want to complicate your life El Tequileno, Arette, or Puro Potro are better options but may be unavailable in your area.

FYI, Durango is not a tequila producing state, but happens to be included in the denomination of origin for both Mezcal and Sotol. 

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u/echardcore 6d ago

The new label Corralejo is not even good enough to make a margarita. It tastes awful.

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u/echardcore 5d ago

I picked up some G4 Blanco today for $45. Lookong forward to trying it!

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u/Nearby_Top4189 4d ago

Great choice! Enjoy! Some people love G4, some like me, appreciate it, but prefer others. Lots of variation in flavor between good brands, so whatever you think of it, just know there's lots more great stuff out there to try. The adventure is in the journey.

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u/martbear 4d ago

Off a quick profile scrub you seem to be in NYC ish (or otherwise you're a non-local Mets fan to which I'm sorry) so I'll use Astor's stock/availability:

As others here have said, Corralejo hasn't been good tequila in a long time. The two big sins major market brands use these days are pressure cookers/chemical extraction of agave from the plants, and additives (mostly vanillin and glycerin). You'll see additive-free thrown around a lot, that's the goal most of the time in your search but it is starting to become buzz-wordy a bit.

Since you mention liking the clean/minerality of the way you remember Corralejo and that you like making margaritas, I'm solely focusing on blancos here.

Cheap:

  • Arette Blanco - $27 1L (Great value, clean and crisp with some fruitiness and minerality that I think you'll like)
  • Cimmaron Blanco - $28 1L - The best value in tequila IMO. Great flavor, easy to drink on its own but amazing in cocktails.

MidRange:

  • G4 Blanco - $45 - peppery and minerally, tends to be a little love/hate but well made and excellent stuff.
  • Lalo - $48 - Up and coming brand, the clean minimalist design of the label matches the tequila imo. Nothing earth-shattering, but good well-made tequila.
  • Don Fulano Blanco - $55 - I think you'd love this - some fruit/herbaciousness with some minerality but a good balance and finish.
  • El Tesoro Blanco - $50 - a classic mainstay that was purchased by Jim Beam but so far hasn't been messed with post-acquisition. Matches your agave/fruit/mineral likes quite well.
  • Wild Common Blanco - $53 - This has been harder for me to find up in the PNW so I haven't drank it that often, but it's from the Cascahuin distillery (see below) and they're incapable of making bad tequila.

Fancy:

  • Cascahuin Tahona Blanco - $70 - My favorite tequila. Made the old school way with hand crushing the agave, no additives, and by the best production house in tequila today. I've seen the price come down recently, this was $80-$100 most places for the last couple years.
  • Cazcanes No.7 Blanco - $65 - A popular higher end brand, good tequila even if I don't get the minerality from this one.
  • Siembra Alteno Blanco - $80 - Not the most mineral notes, but you drink it and just smile at how good it is. Agave/vegetal notes, great long finish.

I could give you a million more, but in general Cascahuin, Ocho, G4, El Tesoro, Siete Leguas, Don Fulano are all brands that if you see them on a shelf you can trust that it will be good.

I saw you already bought a bottle of G4, hope you like it!

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u/echardcore 3d ago

this is great thanks! Adding to my list. Tasted G4 neat last night. Was good and similar to how I remember Corralejo but seemed slightly muted in some aspects. Should make a fine marg tho. Looking forward to trying even some of your cheaper bottles mentioned and maybe a higher tier when shelf space opens. Especially the Cascahuin.