Remy N. rated 637d ago

Fortaleza Blanco

89 SCORE

“Nose: A warming nose. Almost a butterscotch vibe. Flavor: Cinnamon and pepper lead the flavor charge with pleasing salinity and body. The pepper is tenacious on the finish. ”

Remy N. rated 656d ago

San Matias Gran Reserva (US)

79 SCORE

“Not a bad value to price profile. But just leaves me flat - a bit too oaky and sweet…”

Remy N. rated 663d ago

Don Vicente Fuerte

89 SCORE

“Nose: Minerals, ripe agave w/ acidity. Apple, caramel, pineapple. Cinnamon and baking spices. Warm agave notes. Visible viscosity. Cherry, juicy fruit gum, citrus, green apple Rich aroma. Flavors: Caramel toffee note. Give it time to open, then blooms with some salinity. Good viscosity and body. Minty. Green peppercorn & black pepper. A graham cracker nuance. Anise toward the backend. Creamy, silky excellent palate feel. ”

Remy N. rated 680d ago

Tequila Ocho Plata Puntas - 2024 Mirandillas

89 SCORE

“Nose: Pre swirl impression has acidity with hints of acetic acid. Post swirl introduces dry minerals, earthiness and herbal notes. Thyme and mint. Light colored fruit including pineapple, green apples and lime zest. An enigmatic floral tease that I can’t quite sus out. An ethereal powdered sugar like sweetness as it opens up. Flavor: Not surprisingly, at 108 proof, a short blast of ethanol heat. A silky mouth feel, mouth watering salinity wrapped in tantalizing marzipan cream. A touch of nuttiness and cocoa powder? Signature cooked agave backbone. ”

Remy N. rated 683d ago

Volans Añejo

91 SCORE

“I recommend just relaxing and sipping this wonderful añejo. It’s a complex, complete gem. That being said, I still felt compelled to deconstruct and reconstruct my experience…. Nose: Volans añejo embraces both sweet, fruity and floral facets; and dryer, more herbal and earthy elements. The sweet side offers up baking spice, citrus, melon, mint and hints of vanilla and butterscotch. The earthier facet brings faint celery, lemon geraniums, minerals and thyme. Flavors: Great initial “pop” of flavor and spice, which quickly settles into textural creaminess on the palate. Both fresh and dried fruit meld into mellifluous harmony . There’s a tingle of heat as it goes down. Finish: A long bold finish with some dryness. The agaves marry perfectly with the 10 barrel blend of American, German and French barrel selections. Great balance. ”

Remy N. rated 686d ago

Ocho Tequila Plata

88 SCORE

“Nose: Crisp and fresh. Lemon/lime zest. A shake of cinnamon and subtle baking spice. Fragrant cooking agave aromas. Background mineral teases. Flavor: Starts with a yin and yang heat and sweet cycle. Medium bodied. Baking spices still making peekaboo appearances. Agave presents with light colored fruit flavors. ”

Remy N. rated 689d ago

Viuda de Martínez Añejo

84 SCORE

“Nose: Fresh ripe fruit and various dried fruit. A hint of nuttiness and a dusty mineral presence. Flavors: Spicy entrance. A hint of bitters. Intensely sweet with tongue clinging viscosity. The finish brings new emphasis to the French oak nuances. Medium finish. Pretty straightforward sipper. ”

Remy N. rated 691d ago

Viuda de Martínez Reposado

84 SCORE

“Lote 105 678/678 Nose: Fruity and floral. Cherry, dark berries and intensely ripe orchard fruit. A hint of dustiness. Flavor: Fruitiness follows perceived aromas. Salinity. Mellow vanilla/marzipan undertones. Pepper and spice “pop” provide contrasting elements and interest. The reposado, like the blanco is without obvious fault or flaws - and will offer an enjoyable sipper for the evening. A tiny bit sweet for my profile preferences. But this style will likely appeal to mainstream tastes. ”

Remy N. rated 692d ago

Fortaleza Blanco

89 SCORE

“Nose: Tart cider note with rich underlying sweet aromas. An elusive hint of pineapple tinged with a metallic? element. Light mineral and black pepper follow. Flavor: Full mouth spicy cinnamon, peppery entrance. The evasive sweet piña impression found in the nosing, continues through to the flavor profile. Medium body. ”

Remy N. rated 692d ago

Viuda de Martínez Blanco

84 SCORE

“Lote 101 060/738 I was gifted the blanco, repo and añejo for evaluation purposes. I do not know the msrp. The brand is making a comeback after 5 generations. Brand partner, Jose Luis Ruiz is the grandson of Arenal pioneer Don Roberto Ruiz Rosales. Nose: Fruit and citrus dominant: pear, pineapple, green apple and zest of lime. Slightly floral with background baking spices. Modestly robust aroma. Flavor: Nutty sweetness. Viscous and spicier than the aroma promised. Hint of bitters. A very easy sipper. ”

Remy N. rated 700d ago

Ocho Tequila Plata

88 SCORE

“Nose: Faint cinnamon, minerals. Slightly metallic. (Canned pineapple?). Green pineapple and trace green peppercorns. Flavors: More pronounced pepper punch than the aroma promised. Sweetness and fruitiness presents upon tasting. Spicy kicks along the way. Pleasurable palate feel, with salinity on the fade out. ”

Remy N. rated 733d ago

Los Tres Toños Tequila Artesanal Plata

77 SCORE

“Nose: Green. Both floral and herbal. Background baking spices. A resin-like aroma. Pine needles. Flavor: Gentle smokiness and pepper punch. Sweet, medium bodied with a bit of salinity. Anise and cinnamon on the retrohale. The sweetness is prominent. ”

Remy N. rated 748d ago

Chinaco Emperador 30th Anniversary Extra Añejo

84 SCORE

“This rating and accompanying notes are for the Chinaco 50th Anniversary Añejo, released in 2023. Sorry for the confusion… Nose: Very fruity opening volley. Aromas of fermented grapes and currants. Toasted nuts and sugar pralines. Undercurrent of acidity and cider. Flavor: Moderate pepper with trace bitters. Oak vanillins, and that peculiar sachet-like taste that is found in very old oak barrelings. Light colored fruitiness and orange citrus notes. Very sweet and coats the palate. Again, some nuttiness. Interesting special release of 600 bottles, but not a crowning glory to 50 years of history. ”

Remy N. rated 759d ago

Fortaleza Blanco (Still Strength)

89 SCORE

“Nose: Cinnamon, mineral, sour/sweet/cider fruitiness. Citrus, mild white pepper, mint and a slightly medicinal note - in an appealing way. Background cookie spices. A uniquely pleasing aroma profile. Flavor: Robust pepper, caramelizing brown sugar. Rich and creamy in the mouth. Flavor notes have ballast and potency. Finish is lengthy, but brings no new players to the table. ”

Remy N. rated 766d ago

El Tesoro de Don Felipe 75th Anniv

90 SCORE

“Many thanks to Mark Glazier for his generous samples. Aroma: A delicate assortment of baking spices. Light oak tones. Banana, pineapple and warming citrus. Clover and earthy undertones. “Powdery” vanilla with a kiss of butterscotch. Whispers of white pepper. Fruity and brilliantly agave forward. Flavors: An unexpected sneak attack of white pepper upon entrance. Great viscosity. Salinity. Buttery. Finesse. Barrel warmth and nuances play a supporting role - leaving the agave as the lead protagonist. ”

Remy N. rated 783d ago

El Tesoro de Don Felipe 70th Anniv

90 SCORE

“Nose: Mellow wood note. Sandalwood? Sumptuous agave brûlée. Cider, citrus, intensely ripe fruit aromas. Berries, dark cherries. A grind of white pepper. Light barrel spices: notably nutmeg and cinnamon. Such harmonious complexity - perhaps better than I had anticipated after waiting all these years… Flavor: Pepper potency lurks behind the sweet and gentle impression found in the aroma. More barrel influences appear upon tasting. A distinct bourbon nuance - yet fruit and agave still punch through. A sweet and sour undercurrent. Pleasurable viscosity and mouth sensation. Sipping this, transports you back in time to some of tequila’s glory moments. A huge thanks to Mark Glazier for bringing down these samples of El Tesoro’s finest treasures. Without his generosity and thoughtfulness, I would never have been able to try these classics. ”

Remy N. rated 795d ago

Ocho Tequila Plata

90 SCORE

“Nose: Caramelized steamed agave. Floral notes and vanilla candle fragrance. A squeeze of citrus. Mint. Minerals. A subtle whiff of cooked asparagus. Flavor: Pepper and lively baking spices. Pleasing viscosity and salinity. Agave sweetness renders bass notes that add depth to the profile. A pleasant, balanced, middle of the road sipper. It should appeal to a wide range of palates. ”

Remy N. rated 796d ago

Fortaleza Blanco

88 SCORE

“Nose: Pre swirl yields some mineral presence; green and vegetal notes gently emerge. Post swirl offers fresh raw corn, earthiness, faint cinnamon and a suggestion of sulfur. Hint of lemon lime soda. Flavor: Pepper zing, cinnamon heat and sweetness. Medium texture with balanced salinity. Pepper heat has staying power, and picks up some bitters as it subsides. Finish builds richness into to the profile. ”

Remy N. rated 798d ago

Santanera Organic Tequila Blanco

86 SCORE

“NOTE: This is Organic Terroir #Batch Ceniza Bottle 459/1165 42.5% #1466 Tres Mujeres Nose: An initial hit of citrus oils and floral notes. Fruit and agave forward. Backed up with mineral aromas and zest of lime. Cleanly defined profile. Impressive so far… Flavor: An unexpected pop of heat: white pepper and cinnamon red hots. Viscous sweetness. Rich and Buttery on the palate - the heat elements weaving in and out, lingering. Loses points on value - especially the Mexican price point of $3980 pesos. ”

Remy N. rated 811d ago

Alto Canto Reposado

87 SCORE

“Nose: Fruity entry! Cherries, apples and varied ripe orchard fruits. A sour note, maybe malolactic. In your face agave sweetness. Minerals and earthiness hold their own. Unique profile. Flavor: Fruitiness consistent with aromas, with the addition of dried fruits. Pleasing texture and body. Sufficient pepper and barrel spices to counter balance the prominent sweet notes. A dash of saltiness. A faint vanilla cream roundness creeps in on the finish. ”

Remy N. rated 811d ago

Alto Canto Blanco

87 SCORE

“Aroma: Dry and dusty nose. Metallic minerals. Lime zest. Subtle vegetal note, cooked cauliflower? Sweet candied agave. Lightly fragranced florals. Flavor: Peppery entrance that lingers. Medium + body. Hint of vanilla to the agave sweetness. Salinity. Lacks some of the complexity of the Still Strength, but a pleasant profile. ”