I rarely have tequila on the rocks because their are nearly none that have complex and deep enough flavor profiles to warrant it, but Hornitos Black Barrel Tequila flips this preconceived notion on its head. I poured the Black Barrel Tequila over a single large ice sphere and a whole new world of liquor opened up before me. The color is a dark amber that looks unmistakably like american whisky with a nose that is clearly tequila in base but with notes of vanilla and an oaky smokiness imparted by the barreling process. The palate is surprisingly oak forward and the Añejo base works very well to compliment and expose it. The oak aging process gives the already solid Añejo base a much deeper and complex flavor than I would ever expect with hints of vanilla and citrus dancing around the edges. This aged tequila ends strong with a clean and smooth caramel and wood infused finish.  

Since we are fully in the grips of the hot summer heat here in Colorado I decided to give the Hornitos recipe ‘Bitters Sweet Barrel’ a shot at my home bar. I put 1 ½ parts Hornitos Black Barrel Tequila, 1 part Campari, ¼ part Sweet Vermouth and 2 parts seltzer on ice in a mixer, stirred and strained over fresh ice, garnishing with a lime. This cocktail is perfect for summer drinking; the Campari gives a distinct earthiness to the palate due to its complex base that acts to accent and complement the oaky nature of the barrel aged tequila. Coupled while the seltzer water, Sweet Vermouth, and lime you have an amazingly refreshing, complex, and drinkable cocktail with depth that is perfect for hot summer afternoons.  

Do dad a favor and get him Hornitos Black Barrel Tequila for Father’s Day; it is a tantalizingly complex Tequila that perfectly incorporates the best of the whisky world while not abandoning  the roots that makes Hornitos so great.

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The name Punch comes from the Puncheon red wine barrels the original Saison was aged in, and these barrels added something incredible to the already outrageously good Saison base beer. Funkwerks Punch poured out of a 750mL bottle into a standard Saison glass delivers a golden hued light colored beer that seems unaffected by the red wine barrels that it was aged in. A tall pure white head builds quickly but dissipates quite fast due to it not being dense at all as it expertly aerates the complex nose to come. The nose is a myriad of spice notes and tropical flavors; the major difference between Punch and the base Saison is the presence of red wine notes that really opens the whole nose up in complexity. The taste is incredible and only accented with the red wine barrel aging process as it mellowed and blended all the flavors extremely well. The strong tastes that the Saison yeast yields are mellowed by the wine notes making it a more subtle and dangerous, yet the wine and it’s tannins leave no trace of fruitiness and acidity, leaving the Saison to blossom on its own terms. The cracked barely gives a great base but it is not biscuity or overwhelming; matter of fact no single aspect of this brew overwhelming or domineering, they all play a delicate balance and support each other perfectly.

Punch finishes extremely clean with a hint of tartness that refreshes the palate, making an extremely easy drinking, balanced, and refreshing brew. Beware though; its easy drinking subtly paired with an increased 7.2% abv due to the barrelling process makes a beer that you want to drink a lot of, but could end with you napping on your sun-soaked porch for all your neighbors to see.

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