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Código 1530 Rosa tequila review

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Código 1530 Rosa tequila review

Brendan Hodrien

Published: March 2, 2021 at 4:56 PM

5.0

A star rating of 5.0 out of 5.

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Read our expert review of a silky tequila made to a Mexican recipe passed down through generations. Perfect in a rosa 75 cocktail.

Código 1530 Rosa tequila (35%) summary

This ultra-premium tequila is backed by American country music singer, George Strait. A family recipe let loose just over a decade ago, the Código 1530 is a super-smooth spirit that will encourage you to rethink how you feel about tequila. It's full of bright fruits and silky agave, owing to the month it spent in cabernet wine barrels.

What's the story behind Código 1530 Rosa tequila?

We are lucky to have Código 1530, and we mean that literally. The fact that this tequila brand even exists is down to luck... and Crocs. Back in 2007, Ron Snyder – former CEO of Crocs – moved to Cabo San Lucas in Mexico, where he soon made friends with a local called Federico Vaughan. Bonding over their love of the finer things in life, Vaughan introduced him to a special bottle of tequila.

It was a tequila distilled by a local family in the town of Amatitán, made to a recipe passed down through generations. There had been no motivation to launch the tequila to market – it was simply enjoyed by friends and family, and to try a drop you would have to know the right people.

Eventually, Snyder headed up a group of five men who did the world a favour and brought Código 1530 to market. Making this tequila requires plenty of attention to detail and no cutting corners. The distillery uses three times the typical amount of agave in each small batch and there are no added sweeteners or colourings. Maturation takes place in cabernet French white oak barrels sourced from Napa Valley, as opposed to whisky barrels which are more commonly used. The use of wine barrels helps to impart a more delicate finish to the tequila.

It's hard to pick just one of the Código 1530 range for praise. The Reposado has a well-rounded profile, slippery with juicy agave, livened up with pepper and deep, dark cacao. The Añejo rests in Napa cabernet casks for 18 months, leaving a tequila full of cinnamon and oak, chocolate and citrus.

What does Código 1530 Rosa tequila taste like?

Our personal favourite has to be the deliciously light, floral and summery Código 1530 Rosa. This expression spends just a month in Napa cabernet casks but is packed with all of the barrel’s best flavours: dark cranberries and bright strawberries are met by silky agave and freshly cut grass. This could well be the new king of tequila.

Try this tequila in a rosa 75. In an ice-filled cocktail shaker, pour a measure and a half of Código 1530 Rosa, 10ml of lemon juice and sugar syrup to taste. Shake well and strain into a cocktail glass before topping up with a splash of rosé wine.

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This review was last updated in March 2021. If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability, please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.