-
El Jimador Añejo Tequila
Distiller Score 93
This nose offers classic notes of cooked agave, cinnamon and spice notes to complement rich oak and brown sugar aromas. On the palate, this spirit is rich and lively, with a tongue-coating silkiness usually only found in much more expensive añejo tequilas. Flavors of caramel, vanilla and cherries appear first on the palate, followed by cooked agave, oak, cinnamon and baking spices before a pleasant finish that offers more oak, cherry and just a hint of smoke before disappearing from the tongue. This is a great introduction to añejo tequilas and would make an excellent substitution for whiskey in variations of Manhattans and Old Fashioned cocktails.
Reviewed by Distiller Staff
-
Cazadores Reposado Tequila
Distiller Score 80
Straight from the bottle aromas of agave are the first things that you smell trailed by a slight dusty and earthy brininess. Subtle notes of baked Bartlett pear, warm cinnamon, vanilla and a delicate oak follow with a lingering dull white pepper finish. Upon first sip, pepper and sweet oaky barrel flavors are notable with a nuanced vanilla extract taste. Baking spice, salted caramel, and delicate citrus follow. In the end, the flavor comes back full circle to finish both sweet and spicy with a lingering black pepper note. Great spice and fruit flavors; smooth enough to sip while rich and complex enough for a great stirred after-dinner cocktail.
Reviewed by Ryan Conklin
-
Cazadores Blanco Tequila
Distiller Score 83
This blanco tequila offers rich and oily aromas of fresh agave, bright lemon zest, and herbaceous aromatics of rosemary, thyme, and sage. On the palate there are intense black pepper notes and mild hints of salinity followed by bright citrus flavors of sweet pink grapefruit and lemon pith. This finishes with a hint of fresh cut grass and watermelon rind. Overall, a very elegant unaged tequila that despite the big peppery notes finishes with incredible finesse. Great for sipping as a lead into a great meal, or also a solid base for any tequila cocktail.
Reviewed by Ryan Conklin
-
Espolòn Blanco Tequila
Distiller Score 80
Sweet, zesty, and straightforward, this light-bodied blanco is appealingly smooth and easy to drink. Nice bright cayenne and terra-cotta notes on the nose, but none of the brininess on the palate that these would suggest. Instead, it's lean, slightly fruity and relatively mellow. Nice flavors, but could have had more intensity and energy. Still, a pleasant drink and a particularly good value in its price bracket.
Reviewed by Duncan McRoberts
-
Sauza Conmemorativo Añejo Tequila
Distiller Score 83
On the nose, this añejo offers up aromas of oak, cooked agave, vanilla and caramel. On the palate, this is surprisingly light-bodied for an añejo, definitely not syrupy as many can be. Instead, flavors of pineapple and mango, brown sugar, vanilla and caramel are predominant, with hints of pepper and oak apparent. The finish is quick for an añejo, but enjoyable nonetheless with penuche, oak and caramel tones abundant. It is great sipped neat, but has a light enough profile and affordable price point to even mix into margaritas.
Reviewed by Distiller Staff
-
El Jimador Reposado Tequila
Distiller Score 92
Notes of cooked agave, light oak and vanilla are joined by a slight hint of baked cherry pie on the nose. On the palate, this medium-bodied tequila coats the tongue with pleasant vanilla and caramel flavors complemented by more fruit notes, especially cherry and strawberry. Light oak and cinnamon notes and a touch of earthiness add to the complex flavor profile. It presents a medium length finish, with alcohol, white pepper and agave appearing initially before a quick hint of agave nectar and cherry finish things off.
Reviewed by Distiller Staff
-
Espolòn Reposado Tequila
Distiller Score 83
On the nose there’s caramel and light agave, tropical fruit and subtle oak. The palate offers plantains and more tropical fruit, vanilla and cooked agave. The medium, spicy finish fades into agave, caramelized sugar and oak.
Reviewed by Daniel Djang
-
Olmeca Altos Reposado Tequila
Distiller Score 87
Sweet and fruity on the nose with cooked agave, citrus, vanilla and oak. The rounded, smooth palate offers more agave, as well as allspice, nutmeg, crème brûlée and oak. The long finish features caramel, agave, orange peel and a whisper of smoke.
Reviewed by Daniel Djang
-
Dos Manos Reposado Tequila
Distiller Score 78
First of all, 100% agave is a good start and the price point makes it better. But where it really counts (the taste), this tequila really delivers. On the nose vanilla, ginseng root, black pepper, green banana and pineapple. The palate is light and easy with notes of black pepper, tons of vanilla, caramel, pineapple and sage. There is a bit of bitterness on the finish, which all things considered isn't much of a problem. The slightly tannic texture is an added bonus.
Reviewed by Omari Wheat
-
Sauza Signature Blue Silver Tequila
Distiller Score 79
This has a surprisingly lively nose, with grapefruit, white pepper, agave, orange blossoms and chrysanthemum. Light and thin with hints of white pepper and grapefruit peel and a subtle agave note, the flavors burst onto the palate and then disappear just as suddenly. The finish is quick and clean, with just the slightest hint of agave before disappearing completely.
Reviewed by Distiller Staff
-
El Jimador Blanco Tequila
Distiller Score 86
The bouquet has a slight alcohol burn, with aromas of grapefruit, white pepper and agave discernible. On the palate, grapefruit and lemon temper the sweetness of agave, while a subtle spice note rounds out the flavor profile. The finish is quick and smooth, with a mild alcohol burn, followed by more citrus fruit and white pepper.
Reviewed by Distiller Staff
-
Olmeca Altos Plata Tequila
Distiller Score 86
The unaged plata has a nice kick of roasted agave on the sweet nose, along with citrus, pepper and brine. The soft palate offers lime, agave and spice with grassy notes. The long finish lingers with more agave, fruit and pepper. Competitively priced and well suited for mixing in cocktails.
Reviewed by Daniel Djang