-
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
-
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
-
Casa Noble Reposado Tequila
Distiller Score 80
Super-rich vanilla nose with a little bit of fruit and little cooked agave. It has a buttery-rich texture with some roasted tropical fruits in addition to notes of toffee and caramelized orange peel. It ends just as fruity as it started with just a little bit fresh green pepper added. It's a very drinkable tequila that has all the smoothness you would ever want, but perhaps could show a little more depth.
Reviewed by Brock Schulte
-
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
-
Cincoro Blanco
Distiller Score 84
The nose begins with grassy notes and tropical fruits, including pineapples, overripe mangoes and papayas. There's also fainter notes of chocolate pudding and cocoa. The palate is herbal and oily, with grapefruit pith and both lemon and lemongrass. The finish is short, with final notes of agave syrup and black pepper.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
t1 Tequila Reposado Excepcional
Distiller Score 96
The color is a pale straw befitting the used oak, and the nose presents brown, creamy spice (cinnamon and ginger but no pepper) plus some stewed agave. All of the above are present on the palate, along with a nuttiness (think pine nuts) and a little more cream--all doing a Fred and Ginger dance on the palate. A flash of pepper appears on the medium finish, wrapping up a tipple that is at once suave and street-smart. Try in a tall glass with ice and Topo Chico.
Reviewed by Ron Bechtol
-
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
-
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