Porfidio
Created by Austrian entrepreneur Martin Grassl, Porfidio is famous for its hand-blown bottle which actually contains a small blue glass cactus. The marketing and packaging is clever (even if the cactus has nothing to do with tequila production) but, despite being triple distilled and one of the few producers to have won multiple awards for their single barrel 100% agave tequila, there is a great deal of controversy behind this label.
Nobody seems to know where it's produced (different distilleries or the abandoned Puerta Vallarta one, or even in a different country), whether it's Blue Weber Agave or something that the more recent bottles call "Ägave Distillate", or even where Martin is now. Rumours circulate concerning multiple lawsuits, an arrest by Interpol in Panama and some other stuff that I won't go into as I don't fancy being part of a lawsuit myself. We do love these tequilas however, so last week I asked:
"Martin, if you're reading this, please drop us a line and let us know you're OK. Seriously, we're concerned."
Imagine my surprise when Martin himself did get in touch! He's sending us the latest catalogue and we're hoping for a personal visit when he's next in Sydney. Here's a link to his new website, and we hope you'll take a look: http://www.porfidio.ch
Have I done enough to dodge a lawsuit? Let's hope so...
Nobody seems to know where it's produced (different distilleries or the abandoned Puerta Vallarta one, or even in a different country), whether it's Blue Weber Agave or something that the more recent bottles call "Ägave Distillate", or even where Martin is now. Rumours circulate concerning multiple lawsuits, an arrest by Interpol in Panama and some other stuff that I won't go into as I don't fancy being part of a lawsuit myself. We do love these tequilas however, so last week I asked:
"Martin, if you're reading this, please drop us a line and let us know you're OK. Seriously, we're concerned."
Imagine my surprise when Martin himself did get in touch! He's sending us the latest catalogue and we're hoping for a personal visit when he's next in Sydney. Here's a link to his new website, and we hope you'll take a look: http://www.porfidio.ch
Have I done enough to dodge a lawsuit? Let's hope so...
Porfidio Single-Agave Plata
A nice agave nose. Not too strong. A bit of a floral accent to it as well.
Initial Taste: Sweet agave. Lots of agave.
Body: Medium body. The agave flavor keeps coming. A light hint of spice and earth come through.
Finish: A nice pleasant finish with the same flavors. A nice spicy feel that lingers for a nice duration.
It's a very good blanco. The bottle is cool looking, too, and the story behind it all makes it nice conversation piece and a good looking bar piece.
Initial Taste: Sweet agave. Lots of agave.
Body: Medium body. The agave flavor keeps coming. A light hint of spice and earth come through.
Finish: A nice pleasant finish with the same flavors. A nice spicy feel that lingers for a nice duration.
It's a very good blanco. The bottle is cool looking, too, and the story behind it all makes it nice conversation piece and a good looking bar piece.
Porfidio Single Agave Añejo
One of the darker anejos, amber with red overtones; a multitude of small, slow tears.
Aroma: reticent nose at first; caramel and orange peel, and the suggestion of brown spices emerging with time
Initial taste: decidedly sweet up front, quickly turning to heat and bitter orange
Body: very soft and light; reminiscent of an XO congnac; nice
Finish: sharp wood flavors and heat; fairly long
Aroma: reticent nose at first; caramel and orange peel, and the suggestion of brown spices emerging with time
Initial taste: decidedly sweet up front, quickly turning to heat and bitter orange
Body: very soft and light; reminiscent of an XO congnac; nice
Finish: sharp wood flavors and heat; fairly long