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4 Copas Tequila Blanco
Distiller Score 98
A massively aromatic tequila: sun-baked earth, dried herbs, grilled nectarines, olive brine, crisp citrus. On the palate the touch is delicate but full-bodied, with notes of almond flower, white pepper and cinnamon joining in. Tangy, lip-smacking and generous - a nearly perfect expression of agave.
Reviewed by Jack Robertiello
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Don Julio Blanco Tequila
Distiller Score 94
The nose is bright and sassy with fresh agave aromas bolstered by some lemon and grapefruit. A little smoke accompanies pear and citrus peel on the palate. The flavors persist on the finish with agave making a return appearance, along with some lingering pepper. The blanco is a stainless fist in a glove of terciopelo (a pit-viper snake)--seductive and velvety on the surface, steely and smart on further acquaintance.
Reviewed by Ron Bechtol
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Pasote Tequila Blanco
Distiller Score 93
This tequila is loaded with cooked agave from aroma to finish. The aromas display rich cooked agave, citrus, and the fruit aromas are rich with a minerality that is difficult to separate until you taste it. The flavors begin with a soft, clean sweetness that shows the agave and highlights bright minerality, creamy stone fruit, cracked pepper, and briny complexity. The rich mouthfeel is a revelation to intricate balance that continues all the way through the excellent finish. This is fantastic traditional tequila.
Reviewed by Forrest Cokely
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Gran Centenario Plata Tequila
Distiller Score 95
For a young tequila this has the weight and depth of something more mature. It's very fruity, with flavors of yellow peach, mangos, grapefruit peel and yellow bell peppers tinged with vanilla. It also has a pleasant spicy kick of black pepper, nutmeg and a faint whiff of smoke. This is a truly elegant sipping tequila.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Fortaleza Blanco Tequila
Distiller Score 94
Fortaleza Blanco Tequila is a tequila that manages to be fairly balanced in its earthy, vegetal, and sweet agave notes. It has an average mouth-feel without being slick or too sweet. Raw pineapple, green olives, and lime round out the palate. The finish is only slightly bitter and is dry, but not bone dry. This is a tequila that has a solid character and is a good yardstick by which to measure other valley tequilas.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Mijenta Tequila Blanco
Distiller Score 86
The nose gets started with grapefruit peel and pith, plenty of vegetal and grassy notes, lemon juice, and cotton candy. The palate offers grilled pineapples, vanilla, and waxy honey, moving into a finish with toffee, black pepper, a bowl of freshly made oleo saccharum with citrus peels and sugar, and moderate minerality. Bright citrus through and through.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Siembra Azul Blanco Tequila
Distiller Score 89
Siembra Azul Blanco is aromatically exciting. A little musty but full of spice, black pepper, brine, fresh banana, rubber band, beeswax and vitamin C powder. The flavors are very enticing: earthy and sweet with notes of parsnip, sugarcane, pineapple, pear and hints of herb. Overall a very impressive, fruit driven, well-balanced tequila.
Reviewed by Omari Wheat
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Don Julio Reposado Tequila
Distiller Score 88
Don Julio Reposado offers less citrus on the nose than the Blanco, and the agave component now comes across as more cooked. The oak seems also to have tamed the original spirit's fruit and citrus (though the pepper remains) while adding a slight bitterness. Better as a mixer than solo, and much improved by a splash of Topo Chico.
Reviewed by Ron Bechtol
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Pasote Tequila Reposado
Distiller Score 92
Pasote Tequila Reposado begins with aromas of baked agave buttress with brown sugar notes, stewed fruits and hints of fennel. The flavors follow evoking a tasting experience that perfectly demonstrates the aromas. It is interesting how these nuances build on your palate; first gentle and sweet, then rich and savory before fading to a lengthy finish that cleanly restates each enjoyable aspect.
Reviewed by Forrest Cokely
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t1 Tequila Blanco Ultra Fino
Distiller Score 95
The nose presents light vegetal/agave notes complemented by white pepper and a whiff of pear eau de vie. On the palate there is a beautifully balanced spiciness that is held in check by a creamy mouthfeel--a Fred and Ginger dance on the tongue. The medium-long finish is sweeter than anticipated. Try with ceviche.
Reviewed by Ron Bechtol
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Riazul Plata Tequila
Distiller Score 90
This is a very rich blanco style that's easy to sip. Lots of tropical fruits such as pineapples, mangos and banana compliment the fresh agave vegetal flavors. Sweet notes of vanilla, milk chocolate and caramel add to the mix, finishing in a subtle cinnamon and nutmeg spice. It's almost a shame to add this complex tequila to a Margarita, but that's gonna be one delicious cocktail if you dare.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Villa Lobos Blanco Tequila
Distiller Score 90
A nuanced but expressive tequila. The nose is reminiscent of summer rain, white flowers pineapple and hints of spice. The palate is beyond fresh with subtle anise dissipating into lemon zest and green papaya. Another classic Highland tequila from Carlos Camarena.
Reviewed by Omari Wheat