Ale-x . rated 3067d ago

Fortaleza Reposado

91 SCORE

“Unfortunately the ratings for this tequila are exhibiting a large standard deviation most likely due to the inferior reposado versions having <4 months of barrel aging. The 6-10 months versions are much better imo. This review is for the 10 month aged version (special edition-Tommy’s select barrel, lot 49-R). Nose: floral, caramel, vanilla, slightly smokey with hints of oak, baked agave. Taste: Vanilla, honey, and caramel upfront, some minerality, baked agave shines through, and the oak is elegantly balanced. Finish: mid range, with slight bitterness from wood intermingling with sweetness. Body is slightly less viscous than expected for a reposado. Overall: this 10 month aged version is simply superb. It’s bold yet balanced. I hope Fortaleza goes back to aging their repos longer! ”

Ale-x . rated 3090d ago

Siembra Azul Elisa Extra Añejo

87 SCORE

“Aroma: Nutty, Vanilla, Caramel, faint Orange Peel. Taste: Vanilla, Caramel, Sweet Sugar Cane, Some Oak (gives it a little bitterness & spiciness)...medium bodied with a somewhat long finish. Overall: this is a delicious tequila no doubt. Because I don't prefer much oak in my tequilas, I prefer the Siembra Azul Suro XA.”

Ale-x . rated 3090d ago

Casa Noble Single Barrel 6-year Extra Añejo

84 SCORE

“Aroma: prominent herbal/grassy/earthiness notes with a backdrop of vanilla, citrus, and a hint of chocolate. Taste: sweetness/vanilla hits you first, followed by a distinctive herbal/grassy taste, ending with a fairly long finish dominated by oak taste that makes the finish a bit bitter (not a fan of oak forward tequilas). Body is medium and mildly oily. Overall: I would definitely recommend this tequila to those who enjoy well made extra añejos that are oak forward. ”

Ale-x . rated 3104d ago

Ocho Tequila Añejo

90 SCORE

“Aroma: delicate nose, agave comes through a prominent layer of grassiness/earthiness and through mild hints of vanilla and oak. Taste: follows the nose, a robust agave, grass, and earth mixture are at the forefront with intermingled soft notes of vanilla and very mild oak. Finish is on the longer side (mild heat, with balanced sweetness, earthiness, agave, and very mild oak). Overall, this tequila is superbly balanced, with a focus on the terroir of the agave (which is very apparent in the taste) and the oak playing a very subdued role (in a good way in my opinion, as I prefer less oak forward tequilas). This particular year of Tequila Ocho añejo (2014) is one of my favorites so far.”