Espolòn Añejo Tequila

Anejos confuse me. I think I just need to explore the segment a bit more. I've had some that were sweet, almost bourbon sweet. Yet others were herbaceous and spicy, even more so than some Platas I've had before. The nose on this tequila is definitely not of the sweeter variety. Agave, cut grass, mint leaf, basil, black pepper and maybe a tiny bit of caramel. This nose immediately brings to mind all things green. The start of the palate is a bit sweet and fruity. Candied mango opens the taste but quickly becomes overpowered by other notes. It does hang around the whole taste, though. Mid taste, agave and pepper explode on the tongue along with some extremely herbaceous mint leaf. Although there's slight hints of bourbon barrel in the form of tannic oak and vanilla, it is such a quiet tasting note compared to the rest of it. The finish features some rather spicy cinnamon and black pepper, underlined by a drier, more tannic oak flavor. Agave is a pretty strong note on the finish along with that omni present mint leaf (think the actual herb, not a minty cool flavoring). What tasting notes are truer to Anejo and the way it was intended to taste? Is it this? Or more bourbon-like flavors such as vanilla, caramel and chocolate? Being a bourbon man myself; I prefer a much sweeter profile and tend to shy away from herbaceous and grassy notes. So this one isn't a winner in my book but at the end of the day - taste is all subjective, isn't it?

Black pepper hits first followed by vanilla, baking spices, agave and maybe a hint of butterscotch. Semisweet and light, a little rough on the finish, but still enjoyable.

Smells more like bourbon and even slightly taste like one. So smooth. Loses a little bit of the agave flavor bit picks up the bourbon in the aging. Best of both worlds.

Sweet, peppery, vegetal, vanilla, caramel and honey on the pallet.

The bourbon notes are nice with the spicy fruit.