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Chinaco Añejo Tequila
Distiller Score 96
Rich, dense and oily, this long-aged tequila has lots of swagger. What strikes me most about this product is the interplay between the herbal-peppery agave flavors and wood-derived vanilla and toffee. Mediating the struggle are wonderful warm notes of candied citrus, honey, and smoky bacon. Some might find the jumble of seemingly-unrelated flavors a little overwhelming, but I can't help but be compelled by its flamboyant intensity.
Reviewed by Duncan McRoberts
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Código 1530 Reposado Tequila
Distiller Score 90
The agave aromas have a nice orange peel accent, followed by a savory tomato leaf note. Tropical fruits and cayenne pepper take center stage on the palate. There is a pleasantly dry finish, like a light dash of coco powder, that highlights the French oak influence.
Reviewed by Colin Howard
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Patrón Ahumado Reposado
Distiller Score 87
The aroma has a medium-light amount of smoke along with a touch of vanilla and hazelnuts. Meanwhile, the green agave notes are there as a secondary note. Initially the tequila feels soft and lightly sweet on the palate, but it soon becomes a little dry with the oak flavors coming through. There's a peppery bite and warm barrel spices coming through. Overall, there's a nice mix of flavors and textures coming through with the smoke as a gentle back note.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Patrón Ahumado Silver
Distiller Score 83
The smoky aroma is most prominent, but there's a mild herbaceous note here as well as some stony mineral notes. The tequila feels full and soft on the palate initially and reveals a mix of herbal, earthy, and roasted vegetable notes. Of course the smoke again is here, but it doesn't dominate every other flavor. The tequila has a peppery bite and it feels lightly slick on your palate at the finish. As you exhale after drinking it you are left with a smoke ring on your palate.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Tequila Ocho Plata "Corralillos" 2023
Distiller Score 91
The pleasant aroma displays a green herb and an almost smoky green pepper note. On initial taste, the tequila feels soft and creamy on the palate. The lingering taste offers a range of flavors from herbaceous to earthy to sweet-tart. A complex spirit worthy of sipping.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Partida Single Barrel Reposado Tequila
Distiller Score 85
Partida's 'medio' single barrel is a pleasant and mouth-filling reposado. Clean, custard-y agave notes on the nose are paired with a briny and vegetal background. The spirit is creamy in texture and driven by the barrel in its flavors with toasted nuts and brown sugar setting the tone. A nice spiciness emerges in the finish to add some complexity.
Reviewed by Colin Howard
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123 Organic Reposado (Dos) Tequila
Distiller Score 93
This reposado offers a great balance between age and youthfulness, displaying herbal and vegetal aromas of grass, mint, and piquillo peppers followed fruit and baked aromas of marzipan, orange peel, cloves and Mexican chocolate. On the palate, there is a lot of fresh agave flavor, a lemony citrus-peel brightness followed by rich salted-caramel and vanilla notes. Overall, a rich and complex reposado offering great variance between spice, fruit and vegetal with a bold agave backbone and delicate minty finish.
Reviewed by Ryan Conklin
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Tequila ArteNOM Selección de 1580 Blanco
Distiller Score 94
The aroma for Tequila ArteNOM Selección de 1580 Blanco leans towards dark, leafy greens and green olives. On the palate which is just slightly slick, you'll find cooked celery, bay leaves, and unsweetened pineapple. As you continue to drink, the savoriness intensifies and you get grilled vegetables. Of course cocktails can be made with this, but the complexities in this blanco make it an ideal sipper.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Tequila Ocho Añejo "El Puertecito" 2011
Distiller Score 92
The nose is nutty and citrus forward, with distinct notes of marzipan. I find a bit of stewed plantain skins on the end. The palate full of rich cooked agave with roasted almonds and just enough of a bite to keep you from chugging every last bit in the bottle. This is a great expression from the Ocho line, each sip is a nod to the distiller’s expertise and technique.
Reviewed by Brock Schulte
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KAH Tequila Reposado
Distiller Score 89
There’s a true roasted fruit-forward agave on the nose. Careful craftsmanship allows the 110 proof alcohol burn to stay subtle enough to pick off the nicely butterscotched pineapple and melon fruits. Beginning notes of tobacco bleed through the white pepper and oak. Finishes with a cool burn of alcohol throughout the entire mouth, you’ll taste a little bit of licorice and raisin.
Reviewed by Brock Schulte
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123 Organic Añejo (Tres) Tequila
Distiller Score 93
This Valley añejo displays big aromas of vanilla and oak, followed by dark, bitter Baker’s chocolate and sweet ripe peaches. Up front, the flavors are of sharp white pepper and bright lemon peel, followed by rich roasted agave and orange marmalade. Overall, this is a rich and unctuous tequila with a very enjoyable evolution.
Reviewed by Ryan Conklin
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Tequila Ocho Reposado "Las Pomez" 2009
Distiller Score 95
Aged for 8 weeks and 8 days, the superlative reposado offers agave, citrus and cinnamon on the bright, sweet nose. Baked agave gives way to creme brulee on the palate, with grilled pineapple, cinnamon and clove. The vegetal finish offers more holiday spices, agave and subtle oak.
Reviewed by Daniel Djang