Lunazul 2016 Double Barrel Reposado

Wow, what a potential score here. When Lunazul first came to the market, it seemed to pop up at almost every bar for their house margarita or any other well tequila cocktails. Once I tried it, I was surprised that it was as palatable as it was, and at a very reasonable price, which may explain the new industry takeover. Since then, I've seen it less and less, but still think it can run with the other cheap tequilas to both save big money but hopefully get people out of drinking that mixto garbage. I certainly did not know that Lunazul had a double barreled variant, let alone different vintages and barrels used. After buying this, I was able to find a 2015 variant online, but nothing past 2016. I thought I had just stumbled across a gem in the store, but then I found this again and again in stores throughout multiple states. Despite the confusion, I'm very excited to dissect not only the double barrel flavor, but especially any potential Rittenhouse notes, one of the most aggressive rye whiskeys out there. A shockingly light color for a double barrel finish, with a gold hue just slightly darker than some oak finished chardonnays. Lightly toasted agave on the nose translate into notes of white pepper, cedar, and an overall vegetal body. Barely any cinnamon, and it may only be smelled as a placebo from using the rye barrel. The ethanol seems much stronger than an 90 proof, but miles above the common 80 proof. The flavor starts off highlighting the more vegetal side of the agave, before the aforementioned pepper comes into play for a slight spice. This builds quickly to a much more powerful spice, split between the slightly higher ABV and some of the spicy oak coming alive. Once this backs off a bit, the real finish is watery and falls apart quickly; it appears this would benefit from more time spent in both barrels. The flavor from this is expected from the Lunazul brand, but is so close to the regular reposado that there's no point in hunting for this or paying more for it if the regular reposado is on the same shelf. I don't recall how much I paid for this, but I don't remember it being outside of the expectations for the brand. Even though this might hold up well in a classic margarita, you may need to add a bit more for the slight spice to hold up against the sour lime, especially if one insists on the overly sweet sour mix used in most restaurants (to each their own). The value is still great at the end of the day, but this particular double barrel experiment was a flop, which is found pretty disappointing coming from one of the biggest whiskey conglomerates around. Perhaps a lesson can be found about staying in one's own lane, but then again, maybe that's why nothing was found after this 2016 variant.

“This limited edition Lunazul Double Barrel Reposado is released by Heaven Hill in partnership with Tierra de Agaves distillery. Double-barreled, it ages first in American white oak, then finishes in Heaven Hill's Rittenhouse rye barrels. Master Distiller Francisco Quijano then blends the spirit with select extra añejo tequila. Bottled at 45% ABV.” Quite good! A little earthy, a little fruity, and a hint of vanilla and rye spice.