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Tequila Ocho Reposado "El Refugio" 2012
Distiller Score 88
Right from the gate the aroma strikes me with eucalyptus and drying jungle vegetation. Being aged in very neutral barrels the terroir plays a huge part in everything tasted. Notes of black tea, crushed macadamia nuts and a smidgen of fresh fruity mango and papaya. The eucalyptus comes back in the finish but similar to freshly cut dry grass.
Reviewed by Brock Schulte
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Clase Azul Tequila Plata
Distiller Score 93
Clase Azul has a very delicate aroma with sweet candied notes of papaya, mango and lemon zest. Quite a sweet sipper with lots of caramelized brown sugar and soft notes of black pepper. The finish is long and strong of with flavors of butterscotch and crystallized honey, almost like an American cream soda.
Reviewed by Brock Schulte
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Fortaleza Reposado Tequila
Distiller Score 92
Upon first whiff, the aroma lures you in with notes such as roasted pears, vanilla, toast, and citrus zest. Cinnamon, oak char, bananas and warm cream follow soon after. No surprises on the palate as you are piqued with notes of much of the same along with clotted cream, pineapple, sage and black pepper. Moderately tannic, medium bodied, fresh and lush with tons of agave sweetness. This is a VERY impressive offering that helps lift the reposado category out of the margins.
Reviewed by Omari Wheat
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Corzo Tequila Reposado
Distiller Score 90
The aroma and first taste are notably spicier than the silver but just if not more vegetal. Touches of serrano and Szechuan pepper lend to a very interesting and delightful finish and mouthfeel. Adding salt allows the tequila to open up florally like found in their Silver version.
Reviewed by Brock Schulte
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Patrón Añejo Tequila Sherry Cask Aged
Distiller Score 87
Agave syrup and clover honey appear first on the nose, along with dried fruits such as pineapple rings and apricots, and fresh tropical fruit including papaya and mango. The palate is dry, with a strong nutty and saline sherry characteristic, along with roasted agave, and dark chocolate covered pretzels. The finish offers tannic oak, lemon peel, green olives, and menthol.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Don Julio Añejo Tequila
Distiller Score 95
On the nose, vanilla and caramel are enlivened by a hint of spice and underpinned by cooked agave. The palate is extremely pretty (in only the best way), with honey and agave nectar added to the mix, along with lashings of pepper. The finish is consistent, though oddly less persistent than the blanco--perhaps due to its suavity.
Reviewed by Ron Bechtol
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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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Tequila Ocho Plata "Los Corrales" 2010
Distiller Score 91
On the nose there’s plenty of high elevation agave upfront, with tropical fruit and dried chili peppers. Cracked pepper on the creamy, vegetal palate with agave, rhubarb, pineapple and spices. The dry finish offers mint, minerality, agave and cocoa notes.
Reviewed by Daniel Djang
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Herradura Añejo Tequila
Distiller Score 92
Rich aromas of agave, chocolate, pineapple and dried cherry appear along with oak and vanilla tones. In the mouth, this is a rich and mouth-coating spirit, with flavors similar to the nose creating a lively counterpoint to the cinnamon and caramel also found. The finish is long and lasting, with gentle fruit notes giving way to a soft cinnamon note with hints of earth and minerality.
Reviewed by Distiller Staff
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Alacrán Cristal Tequila
Distiller Score 92
A creamy, bruléed nose is sharpened by some candied jalapeño (yes, this is a thing) and underpinned by flashes of wood and vanilla. Creaminess strikes again on the palate--this time with hints of savory, fines herbes and remembrances of fine, polished furniture.The finish is lingering, velvety and old-world dusty.
Reviewed by Ron Bechtol
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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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Tequila Ocho Plata "El Puertecito" 2011
Distiller Score 93
The Puertecito Blanco is a marvelous, pure expression of Tequila Ocho’s single estate philosophy. On the sweet and floral nose, the unaged spirit offers fruit, olive oil, agave and citrus peel. More fruit, agave and citrus notes on the bright palate, with pepper, butterscotch and mint. The long finish has a dry minerality, pine and hints of spice.
Reviewed by Daniel Djang