Like the Fortaleza reposado, there is a weirdly large amount of menthol here. That said, the flavor is a bit sweeter and more interesting. This is definitely a more palatable tequila and I would recommend it over the Fortaleza.
Some mint, sage, and white pepper come through with a little bit of sweetness and a full, vegetal flavor. On the finish, the bitter, herbal notes remain, making this hard to drink straight. Do I believe that there is ginger present? Totally. The flavor really sticks with you. This is definitely an acquired taste, but the really problem is that the flavor is so numbing and persists for so long.
I tried this with Kahlua like I did the other repair reposados. This pairing is transformative and feels natural. The flavors blend beautifully, creating a concoction that is sweet, full, and loaded with subtlety.
With St. Germain, this also pairs well, but I'm not sure that it pairs better than Fortaleza reposado does. On the other hand, its full flavor pairs better with Cointreau than Fortaleza reposado's does. Not that I'd be likely to be mixing with this, considering how hard it is to come by.
Upon further tasting, this tequila is surprisingly smooth with hints of sweet cinnamon and ginger amongst the vegetal notes. The flavor is sweet, but the finish is a bit bitter and definitely herbal. A little bit of green olive is present, but it is minimal. Hints of mint are present throughout. The flavor is deep and varies in an interesting way. This is a very balanced tequila, but the finish is a little disappointing.
The nose is sweet and fruity with cinnamon present. The flavor profile is balanced between fruit and spices and herbs. Cinnamon plays a role, as do cloves and ginger. The agave is noticeable as is some green olive, but they do not overwhelm. Quite balanced and smooth, but I wish the finish were more on the sweet side. This is a good tequila and definitely demonstrates the varied but mellow flavor of a reposado.
Compared to El Tesoro Blanco, there is a lot going on here. It's sweeter with some stronger minty notes, but also with some sweet grape soda flavor. It's fun and interesting, and the flavors with surprisingly well together. It seems easy to dismiss as not for grown-ups, but it's good. It could use some work, but with a nice finish included in the deal, this is a satisfying and balanced drink. El Tesoro's flavors blend more naturally, but T1's are more exciting.
37.0
USD
per
Bottle