Description

Patron Silver

 

Patron Silver Tequila is a pure 100% Agave Tequila made from agave grown in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. The company was created in 1989 when John Paul DeJoria and Martin Crowley formed The Patrón Spirits Company with the stated singular goal of producing “the best tequila in the world.”

 

According to the folks at Patron Silver, the agave used to produce their tequila is 6 to 7 years old when harvested, and the heart of the plant (or the piña) is all that is used.

 

In order to do this, the piñas are chopped in half by hand and slowly steamed in masonry brick ovens for about 79 hours to soften them. The softened piñas are then shredded and placed into a traditional stone pit, where they are either crushed and shredded by a large 2 ton stone milling wheel called a Tahona (see photo above) or they are shredded and crushed by a roller mill.

 

The manner in which the juice is extracted from the piñas has an impact upon the distilled flavor of the final tequila. Tequila distilled from the juice which is extracted from the stone wheel Tahona has a noticeably softer and earthier flavor than tequila distilled from the juice extracted by the roller mill.

 

Part of the reason for the difference in flavor may be that when the juice which has been extracted from the piñas which are crushed by the Tahona Wheel, the leftover fibers from those piñas are placed in the fermentation vats along with the juice.

 

The fiber and juice mixture is fermented for 72 hours in a wooden fermentation vat, where apparently some of the flavors from the fibrous material make their way into the fermented wash. This wash is then distilled twice in copper pot stills to produce the Patron Silver Tequila.

 

Patron Silver Tequila is bottled at 45 % alcohol by volume and is made completely from the Tahona Wheel crushed agave.

 

Patron Silver In the Bottle

 

To the left is a photo of the Patron Silver Tequila bottle. The bottle has a comfortable squat rectangular shape and features a decorative blueish/silver lace tied around its neck in a style that reminds the western dress ties. The overall look is similar to other premium Tequila bottles. The labeling is simple but not unattractive, and the bottle is sealed with a nice cork which gives me that nice satisfying ‘pop’ when opening it.

 

the bottle is housed in a very nice beige box which serves to elevate the presentation. On the back of this box is a description of the ‘500-year-old Tahona Process‘ and the production method used to make the tequila.

 

Overall, the entire presentation is classy but not ostentatious.

 

Patron Silver In the Glass

Colour: Clear

Legs: A multitude of small leglets which disappear quickly

Nose: Light fruity agave and mild white pepper. A whisper of grassy chlorophyll in the breezes and a very light scent of mineral water. Herbal, with citrus accents.

 

The fruity agave is understated and has an herbal quality with hints of heather and mint riding at the edges of my perception.

 

Patron Silver Flavour

 

When sipped the silver spirit the first time, remember bracing myself for a full agave and pepper kick in the teeth. This is after all a bottling that features a 45 % alcohol by volume bottling strength, and the brand is known for its particularly firm squeal of highland spice.

 

However, this particular Patrón is very different. The normally ‘punky’ agave fruit flavor and the typical peppery spice of a highland tequila are both tempered in this bottling. Rather than searing me with a full 45 % alcohol bite, the Patron Silver is almost gentle in its approach. Almost, there is still enough pepper and spice

 

The flavor that is gently sweet with the earthy agave melded with light grassy flavors of lemon balm and lime zest. A light mintiness within the spirit provides a cooling menthol-like impression which is neatly foiled by a building up of black and white pepper at the back of the palate. There are earthy flavors of garden squash and cucumber embedded within the fruity agave, and to it, all tastes very nice with a subtle complexity that is appealing.

 

Patron Silver is, as have indicated, a much gentler tequila than its siblings in Patrón’s main line-up. As you sip, heat does build up upon the palate in the form of black and white pepper and these flavors linger on the palate afterward. There is also a light herbal tone with echoes of mint and lime zest resting within the spice.

 

Last thought about Patron Silver

 

Roca Patron Silver is a wonderful tequila. The spirit brings a welcome gentle complexity when sipped neat, and is just as good when used to create cocktails. high regard for this style of tequila.

 

Patrón Silver is handcrafted from the finest 100% Weber Blue Agave and is carefully distilled in small batches at Hacienda Patrón distillery in Jalisco, Mexico.

 

Enjoy it with a great Cuban or New World Cigar!