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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
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Lunazul Blanco Tequila
Distiller Score 84
This zippy, light and citrusy tequila goes down smooth. Fresh agave flavors mix with vanilla sugar, orange, grapefruit and lime, ending on a grassy and somewhat smoky note. Easy enough to sip neat, but it's also at a splendid price point for cocktails.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Hornitos Reposado Tequila
Distiller Score 80
There's more clove and less pepper on the nose of the reposado than in the plata variant; more agave is apparent as well, along with a touch of cigar box. A hint of wood persists on the palate, where a more vegetal quality emerges; both qualities are modified by a modest creaminess that suits the diminished, peppery heat. The finish is longer than the plata and less bitter, making the repo a potential sipping candidate--though margaritas are likely its highest calling.
Reviewed by Ron Bechtol
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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
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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
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Jose Cuervo Tradicional Reposado Tequila
Distiller Score 80
Poured into a glass, the straw gold tequila releases a light bouquet of cooked agave, light oak, vanilla and pepper. This tequila has a medium bodied, slightly oily mouthfeel, and flavors of roasted agave, pineapple, oak and white pepper. This is a subtle tequila, with an herbal note toward the finish, before a gentle ending of pepper and agave.
Reviewed by Distiller Staff
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Hornitos Plata Tequila
Distiller Score 77
Peppery heat, bolstered by light clove spice, first distinguishes the nose, only to be followed by a fresh-pear fruitiness. The pear diminishes on the palate--or rather it changes from fresh to dried, and then gives up in the face of hot black pepper. The finish is short and is characterized by lingering heat, some bitterness and a hint of minerality.
Reviewed by Ron Bechtol
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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
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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
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Sauza Signature Blue Reposado Tequila
Distiller Score 80
This very pale straw colored reposado offers up a light nose of agave, white pepper, vanilla and caramel with a hint of orange peel. In the mouth, agave and cooked pineapple notes appear first, before a hit of pepper, ending with vanilla, orange blossom and subtle oak. The finish is quick, with light oak, agave and roasted pineapple making a brief appearance.
Reviewed by Distiller Staff
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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
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Exotico Tequila Blanco
Distiller Score 80
Sweet, fresh hay, a zing of white pepper, a nip of jalapeño...it's all light and pretty on the nose. On the palate, there's some pear-like fruitiness accented with more white pepper for a pleasant burn. The finish is short and hot yet not without a redeeming air of sweetness.
Reviewed by Ron Bechtol