What is the tequila you drink when you can drink virtually any tequila (at a reasonable price, that is)? To me, it is often Patron Silver. It is just so smooth and flavorful that it can often turn a non-plata tequila lover into a devotee.

Patron Silver is an 80 proof 100% blue agave tequila distilled in Atotonilco in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. It is produced using two different methods that produce a depth of flavor not found in other silver or plata tequilas. What is special in this tequila plata is the full depth of flavor. Silver tequilas are not barrel aged after distillation and, thus, lack the smoky and woody characteristics of the golden colored bretheren. They also lack aging as they are not given time to mellow of soften in barrel.  It is because of that lack of time that Patron Silvers’ deep and complex flavor profile is notable and a tribute to the tequila masters who make it.

On the nose, Patron Silver gives off pear and pineapple with a hint of maple wood. In the glass, Patron is pure agave sweetness with a hint of pepper and caramel. Because of it’s full flavor, it is a perfect tequila to drink straight which is slightly unusual for me.  As a lover of single malt scotch, I usually prefer the añejo or aged tequilas straight up or on the rocks.  I find them, generally, more complex but also less harsh.  Patron Silver is different.  To me is a great sipping tequila which I enjoyed poured in a heavy rocks glass filled with ice.

Due to the fact that Patron Silver has such a nice sweet smoothness about it, it truly shines in the cocktail shaker. I find that it mixes especially well with fruit flavors beyond the normal margarita. Grapefruit, pineapple, strawberry, cranberry and the usual orange and lime were all paired with Patron Silver and all with favorable results. And yes, Patron Silver does make a great Margarita, a recipe for my favorite follows bellow.

One of our favorite Patron Silver applications, however, is a marriage of the shot and the sweet. Patron Silver makes a great shooter when topped with a top shelf sweet liqueur like Chambord, but is especially great with Grand Marnier. To try, pour 1/2 ounce of Patron Silver into a shot glass followed by 1/2 ounce of Grand Mariner. Don’t slam this one, sip it and enjoy the love. In fact, to insure that you don’t slam it, double the proportions and pour it into a cordial glass instead.

At around $45 a bottle, Patron Silver is not the tequila you will be buying to spike the punch at the next PTA meeting. This is one you want to get for real friends. Cheers!

The MixPourSip Patron Silver Margarita

Recipe:

2 ounces Patron Silver

1 ounce Grand Marnier

.5 ounce agave nectar

1.5 ounce lime juice

slightest pinch of kosher or sea salt

Method:

Place all ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously. Strain contents into a chilled double old fashioned glass filled with large ice cubes and garnish with a lime wedge dropped into the glass. Top with the slightest pinch of salt and serve.

 

Related posts:

1. Cocktail Recipe – Pineapple Margarita
2. Tasting Notes – Ketel One Vodka

Tags: Patron Silver, Spirit, Tasting Notes, Tequila