1. Tequila
2. Reposado Tequila

Cazadores Reposado Tequila

When I was in Puerto Vallarta with my wife and parents, the first night out I was at Andale in the Zona Romantica in Old Town Vallarta. They have a big sign hanging in the bar with a list of their Tequilas and the prices. I scanned it as the waiter came up to take our order. I chose the last Tequila on the list, Gran Centenario Reposado. It also happened to be the most expensive, but at 45 pesos a glass, it was cheap compared to what I pay in the U.S.

The Tequila arrived neat in a small, bluish glass. It was good, but it didn't knock me out. The waiter, though he couldn't speak a lot of English, could still read my body language. He suggested Cazadores Reposado Tequila, the second to the last Tequila on the list.  I said "Si!", and off he went. Five minutes later I delved into the first of what would be dozens of glasses of Cazadores Reposado.

Cheaper than the Centenario at a mere 40 pesos, the Cazadores had a drinkable character that is hard to describe. I don't mean drinkable as in tame--I like some not so subtle liquor such as good Mezcal and single malt Scotch. Rather, the Cazadores had the right amount of agave fruit, peppery heat, and a nice fade--everything was in balance. And it also had a unique quality--a slight menthol flavor that I don't detect in other Reposados. After treating your palate with this experience, it got out of the way, ready for another glass.

And the best part was if you stuck to neat Cazadores Reposado Tequila and Pacifico beer, your hangover the next day would be quite minor. I drank Cazadores Tequila neat with limes and Pacifico for the rest of the week. A few margaritas made with the small Mexican limes, Controy (their Cointreau), and Tequila were thrown in for good measure. But my favorite drink will always be a Cazadores Reposado neat with some limes at Andale, Senor Sweeney's, or at the La Palapa bar on Los Muertos Beach.