Silver tequilas are unaged tequilas, the type you usually get when you order premium tequila without specifying. They are the brightest tasting, which means that they pack a real punch, and go well with mixed drinks and as shots. Good tequila doesn’t come cheap (average around $40 or more per bottle), but it’s up to you what type of hangover/night you want to have, and you should always try to stay with products that are 100% blue agave to make sure you’re on point. There’s a ton of silver tequilas out there, and a lot of really really good ones, so check our review of the best silver tequilas on the market, in our humble Complex (a.k.a. awesome and correct) opinion…

BEST ALL AROUND TEQUILA: DON JULIO BLANCO
COST: Around $42 (750ml)
TASTING NOTES: Agave aromas on the nose with hints of fresh citrus—lemon, lime and grapefruit. The taste is light, sweet, and has a pure agave flavor that becomes peppery and finishes long. Classy and pure, with a clean and fresh finish that keeps the pepper moving across grass undertones.
WHAT COMPLEX SAYS: Don Julio is the cool guy bartender’s Patron alternative. Patron is great, always. Don Julio is better (?) – maybe. Either way, we’re down with the taste, the botte, and the branding on this one. It has similar notes to a Patron, but it’s a bit more complex (ha get it? Complex!) in the palate, which makes for awesome margaritas. It goes down as a really smooth shot when chilled or on the rocks with a splash of juice. Learn and love this one. 4.5/5
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BEST PRICE ACCESSIBLE/PARTY TEQUILA: SAUZA HORNITOS PLATA
COST: Around $30 (700ml)
TASTING NOTES: The Hornitos aromas consist of intense fruit, spice, and floral aspects followed by moderate earth. This Plata has mild aromas of smoke and is a light tequila with mellow mouth feel and moderate agave flavor.
COMPLEX SAYS: Mischeive indeed. Compared to some of the ultra-premium tequilas we tasted, Hornitos is a bit lower on the price scale but all things considered it goes down well. It’s made with 100% blue agave (a must to keep nasty hangovers at bay) and it’s a quality mellow silver tequila that we think is perfect for mixing cocktails – tequila/pineapple, tequila/ginger, etc. If the bartender pulls this out for you, you’re good. If you’ve got a blender and are going in this weekend (check this one, it’s the best), you’ll be psyched. 3/5.
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FIRST TRY AWESOMENESS: TRES GENERACIONES PLATA
COST: around $46 (750ml)
TASTING NOTES: A fleshy agave nose with hints of citrus and sweet floral notes. The taste of the tequila has an initial spiciness on a background of herbs and fresh agave, and is exceptionally well balanced with no bite or burn. The finish of the tequila has a lingering hot spice pepper that fades into a clean and cool finish.
COMPLEX SAYS: This tequila has a fruity nose to it at first encounter that opens into a solid peppery taste when you take it in- THIS IS TEQUILA! It’s clean and the flavors distribute evenly across the tongue and we think it makes for a great margarita. Make it on the strong side if you go this route – this stuff is really high level and good enough to hold without too much dressing up. You might want to try it straight with a few wedges of lime over ice in a salted glass, it’s that good. Be careful though-pour it too long for the first few drinks and you’re going to be in nutso town before you know it. 4.5/5
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WHEN YOU CAN HAVE WHATEVER YOU LIKE: PATRON SILVER
COST: $40
TASTING NOTES: Patron Silver is a crystal clear, ultra premium tequila. Smooth, soft and light with a dried pineapple-like agave nose leads into a light-to medium bodied palate of roasted citrus that finishes with a white pepper.
WHAT COMPLEX SAYS: It’s Patron! Essentially our “control” (haha) of the group, as it’s the most well known and most often poured when we’re rocking the back table at the Spearmint Rhino (Crec we see you!). The taste is great, but we love this stuff because it tastes like tequila and you can still drink it all night. Tequila that goes down smooth and mixes with everything? Sign us up. Oh, and the drink so far of the summer has been Patron and Ginger. Try it this weekend, guaranteed to have a crew following suit. 4/5
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FOR STRAIGHT ROCKING OUT: CABO WABO BLANCO
COST: about $40 (750ml)
TASTING NOTES: Cabo Wabo Tequila Blanco immediately arouses the senses with fresh floral aromas complemented by notes of lime and mint. Full agave flavors and a slightly spicy character that teases the palate, and delivers a crisp, clean finish that will leave you feeling energized and refreshed.
WHAT COMPLEX SAYS: Cabo Wabo is Sammy Hagar (of Van Halen)’s tequila. He liked the drink so much he figured, “Hey, why not go make my own?” And he’s done a pretty good job of it. Unfortunately the actual taste of this tequila is often overshadowed by lovers or haters of Hagar, but as a premium silver tequila we are 100% down with the man. It’s hard to have a reason to specifically switch from Patron to this, but if you see this on the bar you should be happy. 4/5
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FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS/GETTING FANCY WITH IT: JOSE CUERVO PLATINO
COST: about $50 (750ml)
TASTING NOTES: Deep, mult-ilayered, and varied aromas that lead to an exceptionally smooth and effortless entry (Ed. Note-PAUSE). Silky, dry-yet-fruity full bodied taste that finishes with a very long and spicy fade of honey, salt, exotic peppercorns, and green herbs. Elegant, vibrant, and delicious with a superbly smooth texture and a very complex agave character supported by a kiss of spicy oak. A truly unique blanco tequila.
WHAT COMPLEX SAYS: This stuff is nuanced, flavorful, drinkable, and fancy as crap, but we kind of could tell from the packaging – a wax bottle top covering and the wood box that held it. This is a next level, graduate from college type of tequila shot- way way way beyond the Cuervo you stole out of your parent’s liquor closet in high school. A definite “Special Occasion” spirit right here. 5/5
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TOP MARGARITA TEQUILA: HERRADURA SILVER
COST: about $38 (750ml)
TASTING NOTES: This colorless tequila has a pungent attack with light to moderate agave intensity. It has a nice, full feel on the tongue with slight sweetness, followed by an astringent drying of the palate. Moderate earth and pepper with slight floral flavors are dominated by the heavy distilled flavors. Aftertaste is surprisingly short, with no single flavor at the forefront.
WHAT COMPLEX SAYS: This stuff is awesome, and our top pick for the margarita category. This guy sits right in the middle price-wise, and the bottle is cool. Order it by name at most normal bars, and keep a bottle on your shelf for these last few summer weekends of awesomeness. 3.5/5
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BEST BOTTLE FOR YOUR HOME: CORZO SILVER
COST: about $50 (750ml)
TASTING NOTES: Clear, with a dry light-to medium-bodied palate. Flavors of tropical fruit and peppery spice harmoniously blended to create a delicate finish. Incredibly smooth. Impeccably clean.
WHAT COMPLEX SAYS: Sometimes a fancy bottle is there to throw you off of an average product. Not so much with Corzo. This is an exceptionally smooth and drinkable tequila, whether you’re looking for something straight or with minimal mix (splash of pineapple, orange). We don’t see this at a lot of lower-level bars, but it’s a great tequila to have at your house – the bottle impresses. 4/5
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BEST IN SHOW: SINGLE ESTATE TEQUILA OCHO (2009)
COST: about $70 (750ml)
TASTING NOTES: It has a sweetly floral nose with extra ripe agaves and candied fruit presenting themselves. We detect citrus, cinnamon, dried fruit and almond on the palate with a lingering hint of spearmint on the finish.
WHAT COMPLEX SAYS: This stuff is vintaged, like a wine, so each year it tastes a little different. The bottle itself looks fancy, but when you taste this, you’re gonna be blown away. Tons of flavor, smooth going down, and good for just about anything. Except for your pocket, of course. Oh well. Can’t win em all. 5/5

MEXICO: Corona
• “People” are always debating as to whether Corona is actually drank in Mexico, asking if it’s just exported to Americans, blah blah blah. We’ve been to Mexico, and they have Corona there. You know, and we know, that this stuff is awesome, and if it weren’t for Corona, none of the light Latin lagers would have hit your palate. The first, and still the awesome-est. Get the limes out.
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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Presidente
• Pounding “Presis” goes with summer like peas and carrots. Essentially a cross between a Heineken and Corona.
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NICARAGUA: Toña
• Toña is fairly new to the American bodegas, it’s marketed as kind of an upscale Latin refresher. Our call on that is, “Yes and no,” but if they’re at the BBQ, we’re cool with that.
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MEXICO: Pacifico
• Pacifico is our favorite Corona alternative, an awesome light beer that you can drink all day, take a nap and then drink all night. Responsibly, of course.
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COSTA RICA: Imperial
• People head to Costa Rica for three main things: sun/beach, surf, and ladies of the night. Not Costa Rica’s cultural high point, but if you go there for the waves, you’ll find yourself drinking about a million of these awesomes. In the U.S., cop it in Arizona, California, and Nevada. It tastes kind of like a cross between Bud and Bud Light.
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EL SAVADOR: Famosa
• Sold as Gallo in it’s homeland, Famosa is imported through Florida so you’ll find it easiest if you’re lurking down South. Kind of like a Beck’s or Heineken, but not as strong on the burnt-citrus musk taste.
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MEXICO: Modelo Especial
• Latin beers are often in bottles, maybe because they import better that way? Don’t matter. Modelo comes in both, but we prefer the cans. They fit better in the backpack and lend themselves nicely to “Crushing a few beers” after work.
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PUERTO RICO: Medalla Light
• These aren’t available in the continental 48, but since Puerto Rico is like a half-blood U.S. state anyway, they make the list. You can spend a dollar while you drink these Coors ripoffs, but you’ll be way happier because it’s guaranteed to be nice down there.
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MEXICO: Sol
• It means “Sun” and it tastes like awesome.

Complex’s Lifestyle Editor Bradley Carbone recently took a trip to Dublin, Ireland, where he visited the Guinness Storehouse and St. James Gate Brewery. While touring the source of suds, he got a valuable lesson from one of Guinness’s brewmasters about the proper way to pour a pint. Watch the video below…

CLICK HERE TO SEE SCARLETT JOHANSSON’S HOTTEST PICS!

Blotto, blitzed, tanked, sloshed, wasted, plastered, corn-holed (gotcha!); New Year’s Eve ain’t the night for restraint (click here for Complex’s guide to Champagne). Which means New Year’s Day is the morning for hangovers. But it doesn’t have to be all porcelain hugging and making promises to God you won’t keep. Read on for our list of 9 sure-fire cures for the first (and hopefully worst) hangover of 2009…

CURE #9: PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Fuck if we know, we got hung up drinking Long Island Iced Teas in the Times Square Applebee’s. Seriously, you can’t cure what you ain’t got, so hopefully you did some intense training in ‘08 to prepare for the great binge of ‘09. Remember what your mother told you (before she ran off with Sir Osis of Theluver, R.I.P. D.F.W.): Alcoholics don’t get hangovers.

CURE #8: EAT A TUNA FISH SANDWICH WITH EXTRA PICKLES

Replenish your protein, Vitamin D and omega-3s with the tuna and get back some Vitamin C with the pickles. If you’re on top of things enough to get a little gourmet, add a slice of gruyere.

CURE #7: ALKA-SELTZER

If at all possible, avoid using pain relievers for hangovers. Acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol) teams with alcohol to basically gang rape your liver; ibuprofen (Advil) will do a number to your stomach lining. Alka-Seltzer’s not much better (its pain relief component is aspirin), but it works the fastest and has the added benefit of helping calm your stomach.

CURE #6: MENUDO

This one’s easy: roll out of bed and cue up a Menudo LP on your record player (they all work, but we especially recommend Los Fantasmas). If there’s a gun, knife or hammer handy, you’ll immediately kill yourself, bang bang, hangover cured. Menudo is also a traditional Mexican soup made with tripe that’s a great restorative. Unfortunately not so great a restorative that it will help you recover from the Ricky Martin-Menudo cure.

CURE #5: RU-21

Developed by the KGB so their agents could function the morning after epic games of beer pong with their American counterparts, RU-21 allows you to drink like a Russian (reduced life expectancy not included, we assume). We’ve even got a snappy slogan for ‘em: “Toss trifey a RU-486 and pop a RU-21 yourself!”

CURE #4: BULL’S EYE

Take a glass of orange juice, drop a raw egg in it and drink. Sounds gross, tastes grosser, but the protein x Vitamin C collabo is unmatched. And if you get salmonella poisoning from the egg, your simple hangover will seem like a mosquito bite.

CURE #3: SAUERKRAUT

Like the pickles in the tuna fish salad, a little vingarey cabbage helps restore vital nutrients. Not to be confused with a pissed off dude named Dieter.

CURE #2: GET BURIED UP TO YOUR NECK IN SAND

OK, so we’ve never actually tried this one, and it does seem like it’s a little more trouble than it’s worth, but apparently it’s an Irish tradition and they know a few things about drinking. We assume it’s easiest done with a hoe'make her dig, you dig?!

CURE #1: START DRINKING AGAIN

Hair of the dog, liquid breakfast, daddy’s little hand-steadier'whatever you call it, sometimes you’ve just got to dust yourself off and jump back on that horse (or fall off the wagon; feel free to use your own Oregon Trail metaphor). Go to the fridge and grab two cans of beer. Hold one against your temple; drink the other. Rinse and repeat. Do this enough and you’ll have plenty of the “practice” mentioned previously in Cure #9 by the time 2010 rolls around.

But if you’ve tried the “Premium Open Bar” trick before, then you know that the only way to spend New Year’s Eve is at a house party. If you’re invited to one, great. If not, go ahead and crash the one you hear going on upstairs. The only fee for entry is a bottle of the bubs. Below, we’ve created a handy little guide to the 3 perfect bottles of champagne for the 3 perfect parties. Happy New Year’s, homies!

If you’re going to some rich bitch’s party…

…then buy Veuve Cliquot (about $40)

The yellow label stands out immediately, and you will be commended for your gift and granted open bar privileges all night. At these types of parties the girls know their labels, and the yellow one says, “This dude has class, I’m going to let him drink my parent’s whiskey and have sex with my friends.”
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If you’re going to a real apartment party with real people…

…then buy Moet and Chandon White Star (about $35)

White Star is like the Veuve takedown. Trust us, save the five bucks and go for Moet. It will get drunk up immediately. Most of the people there are going to be mooching, so find the girl who’s party it is and bring this to her immediately. Bringing a bottle of champagne to this type of party says, “This dude has class, I’m going to let him do some of my coke and have sex with my friends.”

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If you’re hosting your own party…

…then buy Prosecco (ranges from $15-40 per bottle)

Having your own party allows you to dictate the majority of the alcohol present, so you can be a little more obscure with it. Prosecco tastes just like champagne, it’s cheaper, and the females present will think you are fancy. Don’t ask us why, but there is something about the word “Prosecco” that makes the ladies say, “That dude has some class. Now where is my underwear?”

Okay, “huge void” may be overstating things just a tad; truth is, we didn’t even know they still made Zima these days. Still, Zima brings back lots of memories'hanging with young chicks, plying them with alcohol that tasted like soda and then…well, suffice it to say our memories are probably clearer than theirs (it was only last Friday, after all). In remembrance of the Z, we pour a little on the ground and rate the greatest chick drinks of all time below…

5. BARTLES & JAYMES

Kinda the Budweiser of chick drinks, B&J gets some pretty obvious bonus points for its suggestive abbreviation. And apparently in Indiana they mix wine coolers with malt liquor to make something called a “Moe.” Which is sure to help your chances when you spring your “Yeah, I dig Mellencamp, but he was so much cooler when he was just John Cougar ” pickup line.

4. MIKE’S HARD LEMONADE

Any alcoholic drink that a father mistakenly buys his son at a baseball game is an All-Star chick drink. Aside: University of Michigan professors are dumb as shit.

3. ST. IDES’ SPECIAL BREW

Sure, St. Ides used Snoop and ‘Pac (and Redman and Method Man on the East Coast) to pitch this malt liquor when it came out in the mid-’90s, but with flavors like Passion and Mixed Fruit, Special Brew was definitely for the ladies (unless you’re this Mixed Fruit).

2. ZIMA

What, you thought we were gonna go with Smirnoff Ice here? Fuck outta here. According to wikipedia, “zima” means “winter” in a half-dozen Eastern European languages; according to Ted at Kappa house, “zima” means “gettin’ some trim fer sure” in douchebaglish.

1. BOONE’S FARM

For sentimental reasons, we’d love to put Zima in the top spot, but journalistic integrity demands that we go with the champ. Don’t believe us? Ask Sara from Bloomington, Indiana at the Boone’s Farm fan club: “I love Boone’s Farm cause it gets you drunk and the you can make bad decisions and wake up with a headache.”

“The Beer Book,”

Edited by Tim Hampson and published by DK, “The Beer Book” features profiles of over 1,700 varietals and with its lush, colorful photography, looks like brew-porn for the “Cheers” set. Please enjoy responsibly (or not'we assume you aren’t operating heavy machinery while reading this), and check out a couple spreads from the book below…

Although Hagar’s involvement with the spirit may have been a bit under-the-radar, Cabo Wabo has been rivaling Patron and other ultra-premiums for more than a decade. When you order this afternoon’s round of “Thank Gods,” consider showing the dude some love (he’s on his grizzy!) and give CW a try. After the jump, watch a video of Sammy breaking down the history of tequila and showing off his arm tattoo.

Pretty sure this one was original Budweiser:

Secrets:

Guess which is which:

Mmmmmmm. New shit!:

[Yanko Design]

Hoping to capitalize on the hand-cracked ice trend (ice trays are for peasants), Belvedere Vodka has teamed with designer/Rolling Stones spawn Jade Jagger to create the “Jagger Ice Dagger.” This $250,000 piece, which is dipped in everything from white gold to diamonds to sapphires, is available at jiggy international retailers like Harrod’s in London. A $10,000 version will also be available for those of us less inclined to take out a third mortgage on the house.

Check out Belvy’s latest ad campaign “Luxury Reborn,” featuring Terry Richardson, Vincent Gallo and RZA, after the jump…

The new edition of Perrier-Jouet champagne, which goes on sale today, will likely be the subject of countless future rap songs with its record-breaking price and exclusivity. It’s being sold only in 12-bottle box sets, each of which carries a price tag of around $77,000. Every potential customer is required to travel to France to meet one-on-one with their cellar master, who will top off each bottle with a personalized “liqueur.” We’re awaiting Hova’s taste-test.

[AFP]

[AdAge]

[Baller House]

Absolut’s witty print ads were just the beginning. Their latest project, Absolut Machines allows visitors of their website to create tunes to be interpreted by a machine that plays them better than any white-gloved dude with a snifter glass, and a fork. To see Absolut’s innovation in action, head over to 186 Orchard St., NYC, or just watch the video already.

[Holy Taco]