I’m going to begin this review with a rather strong statement, one that I never thought I’d use pertaining to tequila, a spirit I enjoy, but one that has never been a “go-to” in my home bar arsenal.  This Casa Noble Crystal (silver) Tequila has got to be one of the most delicious and interesting spirits I have ever tasted.  I’ll discuss the complexities of the tequila in a moment, but I want to continue to share with you, for a moment, how very much this bottle blew my mind.  Enough so to have vowed that the remainder of the bottle will, hopefully, stay upon my top-shelf for at least a year to be sipped and enjoyed sparingly as if distilled by Tolkien’ elves in deep dark deserts, rolled out in barrels when the moon is full and the tops are opened to capture the moonlight in the liquid.  I loved it, and the more I drank it, the more I appreciated what it was.  There, enough of the initial reaction.

Casa Noble has a rich history as a tequila distillery.  With a 1700’s startup date, and the very first tequila distillery to triple distill their product and grow their own Blue Agave in fields on distillery property, these guys more than know what they’re doing.  The agave plants that they use in their process are cooked in a manner, before distilling, that imparts a true and sweet fleshy flavor that subtly remains with each sip.  The plant’s spirit can be tasted, and like the corn back in a good bourbon, the peat in a single malt scotch, or the peppery rye back in a good rye, an agave print, especially one as sweet and playful as this, is testament to what it is you’re drinking  and is a supreme compliment to the time and craft poured into each hand-blown bottle.

Awarded with a CCOF, Organic Certification, Casa Noble is the very first tequila distillery to be recognized as a truly organic one.  Their product and the pride demonstrated in it is 100% pure.  I didn’t think it was that important beforehand, but you can taste the purity.  It has a very clean and natural flavor and finish that I’ve never experienced in the tequilas I’ve had before.

I started with the Casa Noble Crystal, a clever and deserved substitution for the standard “silver” classification, because I wanted to start with their canvas tequila. They offer a selection of single barrel and barrel aged tequilas, but I chose the Crystal as my kick-off.  I wanted to taste the bones.

I sampled the tequila in four different ways which I’ll describe here.

1) Chilled shot with a pinch of salt beginning and a lime wedge finish.  To use the word “smooth” doesn’t seem quite right.  There was absolutely no bite, but a citrus, slightly peppered finish blew my mind. Loved it.

2) Classic Margarita with fresh simple syrup, lime juice, Grand Marnier, and olives. The tequila more than delivered in this classic. As mentioned earlier, the agave flavor carried in the drink.  Best margarita I’ve ever had.

3) Time Out cocktail.  Made with fresh mint and lime juice, the Casa Noble Crystal elevated a busy drink significantly. The drink tasted cleaner with the tequila’s own subtle citrus flavor adding to the drink.

4) Just neat in a fluted wine glass.  I let my nose do the work this time and really enjoyed the scent of the tequila. Warm outside with the smells of spring coming on, this tequila made a pleasant evening all the more so.  It was with this experience that I learned just how good this tequila was.  Surprisingly clean, the flavors imparted didn’t last long. They disappeared within a few seconds.  I blame the loss on the smoothness.  Honestly, there’s absolutely no fight with this tequila.  It’s like being hit with a feather pillow.  You’re just left with flavor as you sip.  Kinda like drinking the silver glow of a Christmas tree light.

Carlos Santana is part owner and, with my last odd reference of the review, I’ll compare the Casa Noble Crystal Tequila to his later guitar style; because of its beautiful complexity, it’s a very challenging yet smooth and lilting drinking experience.  It’s sophisticated … but it’s also tequila which carries a fun factor not found in other spirits, especially in the warm months.

I’ll end this review the same way I started it. I loved it.