Our man on the barstool agrees with Drake and Usher about which tequila to choose
“Patron.” The mere utterance of the product’s name carries enough force to attract all palates, from weekend drinkers to liquor enthusiasts, and even hip hop moguls. We’ve all heard the brand name-dropped in music, such as when Drake, the biggest crossover star since Michael Jackson, rapped about a glass of Patron topped with a lime fueling an evening with a beautiful woman, or when Chattanooga’s local legend, Usher, once sang that its “gonna be on,” after he takes a shot of Patron. We order shots of Patron on a Saturday night when it’s time to buy drinks for the whole table, and for years, it’s established itself as the number-one choice when it comes to premium tequila.
Since 1989, when John Paul DeJoria and Martin Crowley perfected the ingredients down south in Jalisco, Mexico, Patron’s consistency and its level of class haven’t changed. It continues to deliver the same award-winning taste which has earned it the title of the biggest selling ultra-premium tequila in the United States of America.
Yet, a new wind has whispered its way into the tequila world. The competition has become fiercer, and more and more companies have entered their names into the running for the country’s greatest liquor made with an agave plant. Sensing the opportune time to unleash a new product, Patron recently released “Patron Roca,” a tequila that manages to invent a wholly original taste while staying true to tradition.
The name “Roca,” derives itself from the Spanish word for rock, and represents the timeless institution of how the tequila is created. While some companies have taken advantage of technological advancement, and discovered other means of creating tequila, Patron Roca still uses a two-ton volcanic steel-fashioned wheel (called a “tehona”), to crush baked agave. The juice that comprises the base of tequila is then wrung out. This fermenting juice and agave fiber are cooked together, which results in a separation, which creates a taste with a flavor richness unmatched by any other product on the market.
Patron Roca arrives in three different versions, Reposado, Silver, and Anejo, ranging from 84 to 90 proof. That’s nearly 45 percent alcohol by volume, and it’s considerably higher than Patron’s core line of tequilas. This new line rests in single-use American bourbon barrels until it is ready for bottling. “Roca Patron Reposado” rests for five months, “Roca Patron Anejo,” for 14 months. Reposado has hints of vanilla and ginger, and Silver combines pepper, pumpkin, and lime tea to create a sweeter taste. Anejo’s flavor savors of wood, nuts, raisins and grapefruit.
The only way to drink such a complex spirit would be sans chaser. Adding anything to this high-end liquor would only cheapen the taste. Pour Patron Roca in your best shot glass, relax in your favorite chair and enjoy the tequila’s warmth. Or, for a truly special occasion, go ahead and make a margarita with Patron Roca. Just make sure to use an orange-flavored liqueur, and please use real lime juice.
There’s no better way to combat rising temperatures than cooling off with tequila. It’s summer’s preferred spirit, and it’s best consumed while watching the sun set across the mountains. This season, when choosing tequila, choose class, and treat yourself with Patron Roca.
It’s the only brand guaranteed to impress your friends, while earning notoriety from hip hop’s biggest stars. The next time you listen to the radio, and hear Patron referenced, you’ll know you made the right choice.