As you can probably tell from the nuber of reviews I have been writing on spirits recently, I like a few shots now and again. More often than not in bars with my group of friends rounds of shots are inevitvley bought and usually the choice from most pubs seems to consist of a choice between tequila or sambuca. I can't stand sambuca as it is far too sticky and sugary so often opt for a tequila. I find that Jose Cuervo Especial is stocked in most places in London. In my opinion it is the 'standard' tequila and has been the cause of many a self induced sunday on the sofa feeling terrible.

== The bottle ==

Jose Cuervo Gold comes in a distinctive square bottle which can easily be spotted on a bar shelf. The label gives the bottle a mexican appearance and the appearance of what looks like a wax seal on the design evokes thought of mexican bandits and ransom notes. I think the bottle is stylish but not something I would keep once the tequila is drunken (I have a bit of a collection of posh whisky bottles, mostly filled with 1pence coins as ornaments)

== The taste ==

Tequila is made from the blue agave plant that is found in Mexico and this is what gives tequila its taste. The amber colour of the Jose Gold comes from the oak barrels that it is matured in.

The taste is unique, because it is made from Agave it apparently tastes of cactus but I cannot say I have eaten many cacti. I would describe it as bitter and sharp although it is quite smooth to drink due to being higher in viscocity than a drink like vodka. It has a more full flavour than a vodka but nowhere near as strong as the liquorice in sambucca.

Compared to other tequilas I would say that the Jose gold is smoother than cheaper brands and varieties of Jose Tequila (such as the silver variety) however the taste isn't as distinctive as the more expensive versions such as Patron Anejo and it clearly has a mass market appeal as opposed to a refined special drink.

== How to drink it ==

There are many ways to drink tequila and these can all be applied to Jose Gold. I wouldn;t call it a particularly special tequila and would have no problem using it in a coctail or with a mixer. The traditional way to drink it is in three stages using lemon and salt which is carrie dout as follows:

1. Wet a part of your wrist and cover with salt. Then Lick the salt,
2. Down the shot of tequila
3. Bite on a chunk of lemon.

There are lots of variations to these three stages, my favourite being to swap the salt for tobasco sauce and the lemon for lime (this is hghly recommended and for a challange you can add more tobasco to the shot glass). My least favourite is the 'death shot' which is to snort the salt, down the tequila and then stick the lemon in your eye and yes I have drunkenly done this. It hurts and would score -10 dooyoo stars.

Jose Gold can also be usied in a wide range of cocktails, the main one being a margarita which consists of tequila, triple sec and lime juice. Other coctails include a tequila sunrise,

== Price ==

A bottle of Jose Gold Tequila sells for around £20 for 1Litre. This is quite reasonable as the spirit is 40% alcohol which compares with other spirits on the market. For the silver variety you pay a few pounds less but I do think the taste of the gold is better.

== Myth ==

There are many myths surrounding tequila such as it makes you spin. This is true, but no more than any other alcohol. The idea of a worm in the drink is also often associated with tequila, bu this is only certain brands and is not supplied in Jose gold (I actually quite like the worms in other brands).

== Summary ==
Far nicer than other shots. Warming and tasty when drunk sensibley. Highly recommended.