The Pura Vida Pancho Villa | Pura Vida Tequila Review #livingpuravida
Have you heard of Pura Vida Tequila? I never had. But, when Pura Vida asked me to review their award-winning tequila and share with my readers, I jumped at the chance. I consider myself somewhat knowledgeable about tequila. Having lived in Los Angeles for 18 years and frequently traveling across the border to Mexico, I am no stranger to good tequila. Big name brands like Jose Cuervo, Patron and Don Julio are not my favorite. In my opinion, they leave a bitter taste or burn my mouth or throat. I know some will argue they’re “smooth” – or that the more expensive ones are much “smoother” – and I will say the really expensive stuff I’ve tasted is much better. Contrarily, good “house” tequila – the kind like you get at the obscure little restaurant in Puerto Nuevo, that they make themselves – well, you just can’t beat that. It isn’t bitter. It is so smooth it doesn’t burn. And, it’s sooooo good. I remember the first time I tried it; I didn’t believe it was really tequila.
Introducing: The Pura Vida Pancho Villa
The Pancho Villa is like a Bloody Mary, but it’s made with tequila instead of vodka. The Pura Vida Pancho Villa is made with Pura Vida Gold, which is a Reposado (aged in oak after triple distilling).
Bottom line: it’s really good stuff. Really, really good.
Did I mention it’s good? okay… here’s how to make it:
[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:128]
About Pura Vida
Pura Vida Tequila which translates to “the good life,” was founded when a Texan, Stewart Skloss, met a Mexican, Feliciano Vivanco – an unparalleled agavero, and the two hit it off. Impressed with how devoted they were to growing the perfect blue agave (…to the point they serenade the plants with music! Corny? You won’t think so when you taste this. It’s like that TV commercial, “it’s only weird if it doesn’t work.”) Anyway, they became partners, invited the guy from ZZ Top, Billy F. Gibbons, to partner too. And, began creating the best tequila known to man. Seriously, Pura Vida Tequila wins awards all over the place. And critics? They don’t just say it’s good, they say it’s the best tequila they’ve ever tasted. These are critics who are supposed to be… well, critical.
“We feel that Pura Vida Reposado really offers something special and unique to the tequila category. It represents elegance and class all while delivering a stunning flavor profile with elegant smoothness and beautiful package design” – Victoria Vann, Executive Editor for BIN
Beverage Industry News (BIN) has served the U.S. Beverage Industry for eighty plus years and is one of the most widely read and respected beverage trade publications in the country.
Pura Vida Price
Okay, so you know my background. You know they sent me Pura Vida Tequila to try. You know it’s probably good stuff even though you haven’t tasted it. Oh, and it’s priced right! Compared to other name brands on the market it is actually LESS expensive. For comparison sake, a commoner like myself can’t easily buy a big bottle of Mexican “house” tequila which is smooth and yummy and could maybe in my humble opinion compare to the taste of Pura Vida – and costs about $8 a shot. So, let’s be realistic and figure that doesn’t actually compare here.
Check out the Pura Vida price comparison below (click images to enlarge):
Speaking of ZZ Top, Every Girl’s Crazy About a Sharp Dressed Man, right?
Little-known fact: Back in the late 80s or early 90s, I went to a ZZ Top concert (no, this doesn’t have anything to do with this review or tequila except that Billy Gibbons is one of the company owners, and I’m a big fan.) Anyway, my friend and I made our way to the stage (sorry Joe, who we left back at the seats and who wasn’t happy that WE had the film and HE had the camera)… and I touched the his toe! Yes, crazy fan girl here. I touched Billy Gibbons’ toe. My friend was wearing a very long strand of white beads (I dare say “pearls” but they weren’t real or anything). She flung them on stage, he picked them up and hung them from his guitar’s neck. Let me just say we both died a little that day. HAHAHAHA! I can’t even write this without sounding fanatical, so I’m just going with it. 😉 People who know me best will get a BIG kick out of me admitting this. I’m very rarely fanatical. lol
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And stay tuned! I’ll be sharing recipes I make with Pura Vida Tequila over the next few weeks!