Clase Azul San Luise Red

San Luise Red is a tequila from Clase Azul, and the listing doesn't say which aging category it falls into or give an ABV, so what follows is what to expect from tequila of this kind. Because it is tequila, it is made from blue Weber agave. That means a base of cooked agave sweetness, usually with citrus peel, black pepper and a faint mineral or earthy edge. The brand's range is generally pitched at the smooth, sipping end of the category rather than the raw, vegetal end. Check the bottle label for the exact class and proof. The aging class tells you what to expect in the glass. A Blanco is unaged or rested only briefly, and shows the most agave, pepper and citrus. A Reposado spends months in oak, which usually adds vanilla, light caramel and a rounder texture while keeping the agave recognizable. An Añejo, aged at least a year, leans toward toasted oak, baking spice and dried fruit. An Extra Añejo, aged three years or more, is closest to a brandy or whiskey in its depth and is best kept away from mixers. If the bottle is a Blanco or a young Reposado, it will work in a cocktail. If it is an Añejo or older, treat it as a sipper. For neat serving, pour a small measure into a caballito or a tulip-shaped glass. Let it sit a minute, then nose it before tasting. Room temperature shows the most aroma. A single large cube is a reasonable compromise if you want it cooler, though chilling mutes the oak and sweetness. A slice of orange or a pinch of salt is optional, and it suits Blanco more than aged styles. In cocktails, a Blanco or Reposado works well in a Margarita: 2 oz tequila, 1 oz fresh lime and 0.5 to 0.75 oz orange liqueur or agave syrup, shaken and served over ice in a rocks glass with a salted rim. It also suits a Paloma, which is tequila topped with grapefruit soda and lime over ice in a tall glass. A Ranch Water, which is tequila, lime and sparkling mineral water in a highball, lets the agave show through. Aged bottles are better in a stirred drink over a large cube than in these long, citrus-heavy ones.