Customer Reviews

Riedel Ouverture Tequila Glasses, Set of 4

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

. . . this glass and, of course, a good tequila. As a resident of Mexico for four years and a tequila obsessive, I have tasted over 70 different tequilas ranging from $5 to $175 per bottle. Riedel's is the only glass that has allowed me fully to smell, taste, and enjoy tequila, and the only glass recognized by the consejo regulador de tequila, Mexico's FDA of the tequila industry. In my quest to enjoy the best tequilas at the lowest prices, I have purchased cheaper wine flutes and just about every other glass that I have been able to find that resembles the Riedel shape; all, however, has been to no avail: This glass's singular construction is unmatched for tequila. Unfortunately, these glasses are not created equal: I have owned 16 of these glasses, and, from time to time, I come across a poorly finished glass--an unsightly stem seam, a rough lip. Moreover, this glass confounds all attempts at describing the color of tequila. Finally, these glasses are not cheap, nor are they very strong--my two-year-old son and I have managed to break twelve already. Nevertheless, this is, at least for the moment, the only way to drink tequila.

For those in search of the perfect tequila, I would like to share some recommendations after having spent thousands of dollars in my own search.

But before I begin, I wish to urge all tequila drinkers to give serious consideration to boycotting Cuervo and Sauza. These U.S.-owned megacompanies have bought up a huge amount of the agave in Mexico and have consequently had an inordinate influence on the production and price of agave, with Cuervo being especially destructive. Competition has become very difficult for other, less financially powerful producers, who have been going out of business/selling off. Depressing to me was Cuervo's recent acquisition of Don Julio, whose 1942 is among my favorite tequilas. Before you buy from these behemoths, consider what they have done to the Mexican farmers, smaller tequila producers, and the ever-rising price of tequila.

Now, on with a few recommendations. Keep in mind that price has been an object for me, and that I have done most of my tasting in Mexico, so I have not been able to try some of the very expensive tequilas or tequilas that are export only. Also, note that I have not included tequilas that are impossible to find in the U.S. In no particular order, then, my recommendations are:
1. Azulejos anejo ($90 per bottle? Difficult to find, but worth searching out, this tequila is among the most flavorful and best-balanced (i.e., between agave and oak) anejos that I have tried.
2. Don Julio 1942 anejo ($100 per bottle. Okay, it's owned by Cuervo now, it's a bit overpriced, and its flavor strays from agave, but the exceptional complexity is mind-blowing).
3. El tesoro de Don Felipe anejo (At $36-40, a strikingly pure- and full-flavored anejo, this tequila is more readily available in the U.S. than in Mexico).
4. Chinaco reposado (At around $40 per bottle, a solid, pure tequila, and arguably better than the over-the-top oaky anejo; this tequila has an artesanal flavor).
5. Casa Noble reposado (I was able to buy this for around $40-$50 in Mexico until, like an increasing number of tequilas, it apparently became available only as an export and no longer in Mexico; this tequila sells for around $60 in the U.S. This tequila probably has the best nose of any I've sniffed; unfortunately, however, this tequila has one of those house flavors that permeates every tequila that its fabrica, La Cofradia, makes, and that not everyone will necessarily like).
6. Corazon anejo (apparently export-only, selling in the U.S. for anywhere from $47-60. This is one of the better middle-priced tequilas, notable for its balanced and complex flavor, which edges out Don Felipe's).

N.B. Perfidio is back in production. I bought a bottle for about $120 in Mexico. Some call this the best tequila ever made, but I found it so carmelized that, as delicious as it was, it ceased seeming to be a tequila. It is, however, worth trying.
Enjoy!

We live in Mexico and therefore drink tequila quite often. Most Mexicans will tell you that the only way to drink tequila is in a "caballito" or shot glass, but these glasses make a big difference, especially when drinking añejos or reposados. They are tall enough that you can get a good whiff without too much interference from the alcohol fumes. The sweet vanilla oak notes of the añejos are especially enhanced by these glasses, but even the grassy, vegetal blancos are more lively than when tasted in a standard shot glass. My wife, whose hands are much smaller than mine, agreed that the glasses are very well balanced and comfortable to hold. A great way to "degustar" a very noble spirit.

These glasses are a great addition to any home bar. The Reidel quality is obvious. They are a great way to upscale serving straight tequila or mezcal. Very classy! The price was outstanding!

I have used all of Riedels glassware for the various types of wine. They are superior for serving wine. We were introduced to the new Riedel tequila glass in Sante Fe, New Mexico this summer at a mexican restaurant with 100 tequilas. Have to buy these glasses. I will also purchase them for gifts.

I have always been happy with Riedel products I have purchased in the past. And this one is similar, the quality is good. However, perhaps it's me, but it just seemed like a glass for white wine to me. I know I know...I saw the picture before I bought so I don't know what I was expecting it to transform into between the vendor and my house. Any ways, just my thoughts.

Despite the description clearly stating four glasses, they only sent two glasses.

I am still waiting for them to correct the error, but so far, no response. I may have to cancel the entire order.

I purchased these glasses a test; I enjoy fine reposados, and really enjoyed just sipping my tequila from a shot glass.

But I thought - it makes a difference with wine; and the other reviews were glowing (outside the delicacy issue) - so I got a set of four for my birthday and a tequila tasting party.

All I can say is that if you love fine tequilas, and you haven't tried these glasses yet; you are really missing quite a bit.

Most tasting experts agree that the majority of our human sense of taste is actually smell. These glasses really enhance the "nose" of the tequila; allowing you to pick up subtle differences.

A fine tequila tasted/sipped from a shot glass still tastes good; but from this glass takes on many new dimensions.

If you're a skeptic like I was, you don't have much to lose... try them, and see if you notice a difference.

The biggest difference I notice is that I want to enjoy more tequila, more often; with these glasses. And I want to share it and introduce both the glasses and the tequilas with my friends... and isn't that what it's all about?

I tried these at a restaurant in Santa Fe, NM with a few different tequilas and was sold on their 'drinkability' - spirits flow well from glass to lips.

The crystal is a good quality, and takes to hand washing well (no spotting or difficulty cleaning). I reccomend these if you are a tequila drinker looking for more than the 'shot glass' experience - you will not be disappointed.

I don't drink tequila normally. But, I bought these as a gift for a friend who does. He paid me back by pouring me a `generous' glass of Patron Silver. Now, while I don't drink tequila, I do appreciate all fine liquors. So my first impression of these glasses was "fragile". I drink wine often and like a heavier glass, as I am sometimes clumsy. Though, these glasses did seem to be of high quality. They showed the clarity and color of the tequila nicely. They also allowed me to appreciate the aroma of the spirit without being overwhelmed by it. It was more of a sipping glass, but was shaped so that if you wanted to shoot it you could. I believe it did make the experience more enjoyable. It brought out taste and smell that I would not have normally smelled from tequila in a shot glass. So, if you appreciate fine tequila and think putting a $60 bottle of anything into a shot glass is a sin, I would recommend this for you. If/when I finish a wet bar in my home with nice liquors I will buy a set of these for myself for those special occasions when I entertain more sophisticated tequila drinkers.

I read about these glasses and how popular they were with the new "in" drink, Tequila. The glasses are a nice addition to my bar. They are designed for sipping expensive tequila on special occasions.