Pageantry, spectacle and flickers of cameras surround celebrities pushing them further into the limelight, but when celebrities hype liquor brands the character of the spirit becomes a little unclear.  The question arises as to whether the spirit’s quality stands solid or if the value is so lacking that it must have the backing of celebrity to push sales through the market.  Such is the case with 901 Tequila.  Celebrity publicizes it, tradition crafts it.  Just like any celebrity, every day Joe on the street or spirit in a bottle, getting to know it is familiarizing oneself with it personally.

901 Tequila comes off grassy, light with some spice, yet unoriginal and ordinary.  There is slight sharpness in the lingering finish.  This leaves the chest with an immediate warming sensation.  A small amount of vanilla disappears a split second after the initial trace of its existence is detected.  Tattle tale tequila bite is very evident with every sip.  Sweetness at the start, but it does not stay consistent with the follow through.  Thin, without much body.  Some roundness in character, but not a huge amount of depth.  901 would most likely make good generic tequila cocktails, but add nothing to premium signature cocktails as namesake.

What I do like about non-descript silver tequilas is the versatility.  Vodkas have ruled the cocktail scene for quite a while for good reason.  Vodka fades into the background allowing the consumer to combine any number of mixers into a cocktail glass and drink freely without tasting the base spirit.  Silver tequilas change things a bit by adding a hint of vanilla and kick without bringing too much alcohol burn to the nose.

901 Tea-quila Time Low Calorie Drink Recipe

901 Tea-quila Time – recipe by Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

1-1/2 ounce 901 Tequila

4 ounces POM Light Pomegranate Hibiscus Green Tea

Build over ice in a highball glass.

While this is virtually unremarkable as far as layering of a cocktail, it is light and refreshing.  The slight flavor of agave tequila comes through under the tea.  Of course bumping the tequila up a notch to 2 ounces would bring the flavor up just a wee bit more, but not very much since the character of the tequila runs faint as it is.  The purpose here isn’t strong tequila flavor.  901 Silver’s use seems to be that of mixer.    The real gem in this cocktail is the low calorie content.  The four ounces of POM Light Green Tea contains only 18 calories.  On average tequila comes in at around 96 calories for 1.5 ounces.  Total calories for the 901 Tea-quila Time cocktail: 114

As is the case of this 901 Tequila or any other celebrity status spirit, sample it for yourself.  See if you like it, but don’t just follow the crowd because some celebrity says so or reviewer says so for that matter.  It does not make a difference who says something tastes good or what the price is on a bottle.  The deciding factor should be if you like what flows from the bottle into your glass.

901 Tequila sample for review courtesy representatives of 901 Tequila.

All content ©2009 Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist. All Rights Reserved. Chat with Cheri @Intoxicologist on Twitter and facebook.com/Intoxicologist or str8upcocktails@gmail.com