El Quinto Tequila is the new home-brand tequila for Coles and Liquorland in Australia. It replaced the very dated-looking Conquistador that they sold for many years. I’m quite certain the recipe has remained the same.
As an entry-level tequila, this is generally going to be the cheapest you can find at Coles-owned bottle shops such as Liquorland. With the low price in mind, one’s expectations should be set lower than that of something that might cost double the price.
I have read a few negative reviews on the product, comparing it to various cleaning agents, and agree that when you first open the bottle, there is a potent aroma that seems to escape the bottle. I have found that when drinking it straight, the first shot is a bit rough, but it gets easier the more you drink it. I would instead suggest using this as a mixer in margaritas or cocktails.
For anyone looking for a super smooth tequila for doing shots with, I would not recommend this, but if you’re making margaritas, it’s perfectly fine and good value for money. Liquorland often stocks it next to Jose Cuervo for a reason!
Where is it Made?
El Quinto is produced by Casa Maestri Distillery in Jalisco, which is located just outside of Tequila town in Mexico. The Casa Maestri Distillery is a sustainable and family-run business and has won many awards for their Tequilas including the Presidential Award in Mexico for their contributions to the industry.
Tequila El Quinto Ingredients & Process
This is a “Mixto” Tequila made with 55% Weber Blue Agave and 45% Piloncillo, a locally sourced Mexican sugar near the distillery, which is very important for their sustainability focus. The Agave is 40% estate-owned Highland Agave grown to full maturity for 9 years, and 60% Lowland Agave sourced from two local farms.
The highland Agave is cooked in Hornos (clay brick ovens) and the lowland in Autoclaves. The liquids are distilled twice in copper-lined pot stills and the heads and tails are removed to give a smoother, more refined finish.
A Sustainable Tequila
The distillery has a huge focus on sustainability and maintains a zero-waste policy. The leftover Agave husks and leaves from the production process are also composted to use as compost for the Agave that is still growing.
