Clase Azul has done an excellent job establishing itself as a luxury tequila brand. Their collection contains some of the most expensive tequilas on the market, but they still grow exponentially yearly because of their artisanal signature and high-quality tequilas.
If you got a bottle of Clase Azul and are wondering how to get the most bang for your buck, you’ve come to the right place.
So how do you drink Clase Azul?
Don’t drink it in shots because it’s supposed to be savored. Many ingredients went into the production process, so it’ll be a shame not to enjoy it as much as possible. Use the right glass to get the best Azul drinking experience. Additionally, Clase Azul is best served neat and at room temperature.
There are different Clase Azul Tequila varieties. In this article, we’ll be focusing on the reposado variety, although their most popular and cheapest variety is said to be the plata (Blanco) variety.
How Does Clase Azul Taste?
Clase Azul is known for its smooth, full-bodied flavor. It has a complex blend of flavors that include sweet agave, caramel, vanilla, and spice.
The flavor is distinctive yet balanced. Clase Azul tequila is aged for about eight months in oak barrels, which lend it a smooth, mellow finish. It is an ideal tequila for sipping.
On the nose, it smells so much sweeter than most tequilas due to the additives added, but the taste doesn’t disappoint. The most prominent smell is vanilla, but you should also get hints of cooked agave and even black pepper.
Each bottle reportedly takes over 2 weeks to make, and no two bottles are the same. The bottles are pieces of art that can be used for aesthetic purposes, like flower vases, after consuming the drink.
On pouring the drink into a glass, you’ll notice a deep amber color and a slightly viscous liquid. Although the drink makes your palate dance with sweetness, don’t be tempted into drinking too much because it has an ABV of 40%.
How To Drink Clase Azul
Let’s jump right into how to enjoy this exquisite cocktail. You might think drinking Clase Azul involves just buying a bottle from the liquor store and pouring yourself a glass, but it entails much more. Here are some things you should note.
Choose the Right Clase Azul
First, you’ll want to choose a type of tequila, such as Blanco, reposado, Anejo, or extra Anejo.
Blanco is the most common type of Clase Azul and is unaged, while reposado is aged for at least two months in oak barrels, imparting a more woody flavor.
Anejo is aged for at least one year, while extra Anejo is aged for at least three years.
Depending on your preference, you can choose the type of Clase Azul that best suits your taste. Additionally, you’ll want to consider the proof of the tequila.
Clase Azul is available in 80-proof or 100-proof, with the higher proof offering a higher alcohol content and a more intense flavor.
Choose the Right Glass
The right glassware can help enhance the flavor and aroma of Clase Azul tequila. Each bottle of Clase Azul wasn’t hand-crafted to be enjoyed in a shot glass.
Choose a glass that will capture the nuances of its flavor and aroma. The best glassware for Clase Azul is a wide-mouthed glass such as a snifter or whiskey glass.
The wide-mouthed glass will allow the tequila to aerate, which will bring out its complex flavor and aroma. The shape of the glass also helps to concentrate the aromas of the tequila, allowing for a more enjoyable drinking experience.
Serve It at the Right Temperature
Clase Azul tequila should be served at room temperature. Room temperature is considered to be between 15 and 25 degrees Celcius and 60 to 77 in Fahrenheit. Serving Clase Azul at room temperature will allow you to fully experience its flavor.
When served too cold, the flavor and aromas of the tequila can be muted. On the other hand, if it is served too warm, it can taste overly sweet.
Serve It Neat
Clase Azul is best served neat because it allows you to fully appreciate the complexity and depth of flavor that the tequila has to offer. When served neat, the flavor is not masked by any other ingredients, and the unique flavor profile of the tequila can be experienced in its entirety.
Adding ice can dilute the drink to a point where the drink starts to taste cheap. It’s also not recommended to mix Clase Azul in a cocktail.
The founder of Clase Azul, Arturo Lomeli, said himself that his tequilas are high quality on their own and do not need to be mixed with any other drinks; at Clase Azul, they aim to erase the bad memories people have about low-quality tequila.
Pairing Clase Azul With Food
The clean, smooth flavor of Clase Azul pairs well with dishes such as tacos, enchiladas, fajitas, and other Mexican-inspired dishes. It can also be enjoyed with a variety of seafood dishes, such as ceviche and shrimp.
If you’re looking for a sweet pairing, opt for desserts such as flan or tres leches cake. Clase Azul also pairs well with grilled meats, such as steak and chicken. As a rule of thumb, pair Clase Azul tequila with lighter foods to not overpower the flavor.
Clase Azul- A Brief History
Clase Azul was founded in 1997 by Arturo Lomeli in his hometown of Guadalajara, Mexico. The company was born out of his passion for tequila and a desire to create a premium Mexican spirit.
At first, the company focused on traditionally producing small-batch hand-crafted tequila using the finest blue agave found in the region. In 2000, Clase Azul released its first tequila, an ultra-premium spirit called Clase Azul Reposado.
This tequila quickly earned a reputation for its smooth, balanced taste and unique packaging, featuring a ceramic bottle with a hand-painted design. Over the next few years, Clase Azul expanded its range of tequilas, introducing Clase Azul Plata, Clase Azul Añejo, and Clase Azul Ultra.
As its popularity grew, so too did its presence in the international market, with bottles of Clase Azul being sold in over 40 countries around the world.
Today, Clase Azul remains one of Mexico’s most recognizable tequila brands and is renowned for its commitment to quality and craftsmanship.
The company continues to produce its tequilas with the same passion and expertise as it did when it first began, ensuring that each bottle of Clase Azul is as enjoyable as the last.
Final Thoughts
Each Clase Azul bottle is hand-crafted with love, so you should drink it with the same love and appreciation.
Take your time, it’s an expensive tequila bottle. Drink it at just the right temperature, not too hot or too cold. Drink it with the right glass so you can get the most of the flavors and aromas, and drink it neat.
