In A Nutshell:
Two tequilas: one white, Plata and one gold, Reposado, both created with a little help from two of Britain’s leading bartenders.
TCL Rating:
Plata
Reposado
What They Say:
“Olmeca Altos is a super-premium 100% Agave tequila, born out of a unique partnership between world-renowned UK bartenders Henry Besant and Dre Masso, alongside Olmeca’s own Master Distiller Jesus Hernandez. This authentic tequila is double-distilled in traditional copper pot stills and aged in small American oak barrels.”
What We Say:
Ms S:
For me, the golden Olmeca Altos Reposado aged for eight months wins in the ambient test while the white Olmeca Altos Plato scores maximum points mixed in a classic margarita. The Gold is more complex, more mellow and very inviting on the nose, initially tasting of toffee before opening up into almost burnt caramel notes. Then it’s all about the satisfying oak finish. In contrast, the Plata comes across much harsher, almost catching at the back of the throat with its full alcoholic hit, it feels like the cheeky younger sibling puffing out its chest without sizing up the competition. That said, it really does hold its own in trad-style margarita; all of that big boy flavour works sublimely with the Cointreau, lime and salt rim.
Mr G:
The Olmeca Altos Reposado starts with quite a subtle aroma but really comes into its own on taste – smooth caramel up front, followed by some syrupy sweetness, then a lovely long, black pepper finish. Although it made a good margarita I’d go for it neat. Meanwhile the Olmeca Altos Plata is less rewarding on its own, with alcohol more prevalent on the nose and less depth in the taste. But using it in a margarita is when it really comes into its own, giving the drink a real kick, while at the same time balancing very nicely with the other ingredients.
Fun Fact:
Besant and Masso have also created the Tahona Society, an exclusive community of tequila-loving bartenders around the world. The pair have also shot five funky videos looking at everything from the origins of tequila through to Olmeca Altos being used in London’s bars. See olmecatequila.com/en/altos-films
Recipes:
Agave Collins
50ml Olmeca Blanco
15ml fresh lime juice
15ml agave mix (equal parts of water + simple syrup + agave syrup) or honey water
130ml soda water
Method:
Build up in a highball glass and stir. Garnish with a lime wedge.
Agave Margarita
50ml Olmeca Altos Plata
10ml fresh lemon juice
15ml fresh lime juice
10ml agave mix
Method:
Shake & strain over cubed ice and pour into a chilled margarita glass. Garnish with two lime wheels
Hibiscus Margarita
35ml Olmeca Altos Reposado
50ml agave sweetened hibiscus flower water
15ml fresh lime juice
15ml agave mix
Method:
Shake & strain into a chilled margarita glass.
Plata:
Taste 
Packaging
Desirability 
Value
Reposado:
Taste 
Packaging
Desirability
Value
The Details:
ABV 38 alc vol.
Available in bars and online from thewhiskyexchange.com (Plata £28.07, Reposado £32.43)
