Warrior spirit: 3 Badge’s Pasote tequila

Tequila. The distilled agave beverage isn’t the first thing when you think of Sebastiani, a family name synonymous with wine. However, that is about to change.

August Sebastiani’s 3 Badge Beverage Corporation recently released their first foray into the south of the border spirit with Pasote.

3 Badge has produced three types of tequila, in big, heavy beautiful bottles that are hand screen printed with interpretations of three different Aztec warrior spirits. If you have enough of this tequila, you’ll feel like you’re ready for battle.

Using blue agave from the highlands of Jalisco, the three tequila’s have distinct personalities.

Pasote Blanco ($49) is the lighter of the three, with a strong peppery taste, leaving a tad of fire in your throat – it’s a perfect tequila for a margarita.

Pasote Reposado ($59) was aged for six months in American oak barrels. The taste is dramatically different from the Blanco: a vanilla nose (the effect of the oak) and a smooth, rich mouthfeel that makes it perfect for sipping or mixing. La Casa Restaurant suggested pairing it with fish tacos or enchiladas.

Finally, Pasote Anejo ($69) – the fanciest of them all. It was aged for 18 months in American oak barrels. This is fireplace tequila, with a nice caramel color, it’s smokey in flavor and would be perfect on the rocks paired with fajitas.

Of the three Pasote tequilas, the crowd favorite was the Reposado – it can be sipped on the rocks or used in a cocktail, making it the most versatile of the three. However, if you’re seeking a high end, tequila from a local company, the Anejo is a nice gift for a collector.

Pasote is available at Sonoma Market for purchase and to drink at La Casa Restaurant. 3badge.com.