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Why This week’s lesson: don’t judge booze by its cover. A blanco (un-aged) tequila at first glance, Maestro Dobel is a filtered blend of 100 per cent agave reposado, anejo and extra-anejo tequilas. The result is mellow, velvety and frosted with the vanilla and toffee notes you’d expect from oak aging.
Price 750 ml/$74.80
Availability LCBO 401307
Rating NNN
Why Whisk(e)y lovers will appreciate the rich woodiness of this highland anejo. Aged for 18 months in small American oak barrels, El Mayor has more bite and burn than other anejos, but its robust spiciness works well in tandem with sweet, caramelized agave.
Price 750 ml/$67.35
Availability LCBO 399436
Rating NNN
Why If there’s one spirit that has product design on lock, it’s premium tequila. Made by a Canadian-owned company, Blue Hour comes in a sexy bottle (oooh, ombre aaaah, intertwined metallic snakes), and the contents – which deliver vanilla, caramel and honey – aren’t half bad either. Instead of pegging it as a reposado, the Don Good Tequila Company calls this expression “Experience the One.” Quell your skepticism and give it a shot… I mean sip.
Price 750 ml/$79.95
Availability LCBO 402461
