When one is asked what they think about tequila, the reaction is almost visceral. Until recently my ‘notes’ on the spirit read: kerosene palette, douchey popped collars, and “the moment the night went wrong.” Yes – tequila has been blamed for much. However, with a major growth in the market, the once misunderstood Mexican Spirit is being embraced by some of the best bartenders around, and we took part in understanding its truly elegant spirit.

Eric Brass, one of the founders of Tequila Tromba, a new 100% pure agave blanco tequila, gathered a few of us gals together at Reposado on Ossington for a crash course.The goal of the evening was to reclaim and repair tequila’s nastier reputation, and show us the gentler, sexier, and tastier side of the drink. 

Brass reminded us that we’re likely far more familiar with the brassy-gold liquid served up sloppy with some salt and a lime – although popular, it ain’t the real stuff. He refers to that stuff as a Mixto, 51% agave mixed with corn syrup and other sugars (giving it the golden colour, and YOU the that nasty headache in the am).

The Tequila Tromba we were tasting was 100% PURE AGAVE tequila made with only 100% blue agave. As we sipped gently, smelled in with our mouths open, glasses tilted, some of us picked up sweeter and softer sides of the tequila. We learned about the Agave plant, the Highlands, the lowlands, Jimadores, and master distillers, the ‘tromba’ – a seasonal rain that arrives over Mexico’s Jalisco highlands, that this tequila was named for– it was a very romantic tale. We were swept away!

Still new to the market, Tequila Tromba has already won three awards, and is distributed internationally in bars across the globe, from the UK to China. Brass, being a guy from Toronto, is truly thankful for fast-forward tequila joints like Reposado, that really show that tequila is a drink to be enjoyed and played with. Clearly, people are responding, and proper tequila is making a comeback.

Lucky for us, we can sip Tromba not just at Reposado but also The Black Hoof, Churchill’s, The Drake, and The Thompson. Hopefully soon, we’ll find it in the LCBO – where it will be affordable for our own mixology experiments.

Needless to say, by the end of this tasting, we were in love… and we wanted to sip, savour, and remember it… unlike our former tequila experiences, Tequila Tromba is nobody’s one night stand.

For more info go to: www.tequilatromba.com @TequilaTromba

Or Visit: Reposado Bar 136 Ossington Ave Toronto

~ Louisa Cohen