Dos Lunas Reposado

88 SCORE

“Vanilla, crème brûlée, oaky nose and flavor. A lot going on for a reposado. Artificial sweeteners? No one knows for sure as this brand has long been discontinued. Some have said yes, some have said no. If it has sweeteners, it’s done subtly. Nowhere near the sugar bombs like Caca Azul and 1942. This was one of the first tequilas I bought when I started my journey some 20 years ago, so admittedly, this is a nostalgic one for me. Recently found 3 bottles for 25 each and jumped on them. Still enjoy it on occasion, though my palette is much more refined these days. Also a pretty good sipper when blended with a nice blanco. ”

Suerte Extra Añejo 400 Edition (2015)

93 SCORE

“Love this expression! This is everything I look for in an XA. Sweet agave, nice oaky barrel notes, butterscotch, cinnamon, chocolate, hazelnut and a little cherry. Suerte SiBs are getting harder and harder to find as they seemingly aren’t producing them anymore. ”

Azuñia Añejo

71 SCORE

“NOM 1503. Wanted to like this but just bland. After 2 sips the rest of the bottle was designated a mixer. Just glad I only paid $30. ”

El Tesoro Tequila Platinum

92 SCORE

“Lot 1042 (pre 2007). Sweet agave shines bright in this gem that I found a few years ago. Also mineral and some citrus notes. Fantastic sipper. To me this defines what tequila is all about and how pure, natural tequila should taste. Produced 20+ years ago before the category and demand exploded, when Don Felipe likely harvested more mature agaves than producers do today to rush to market. Thankful that I’ve found quite a few of these treasures over the years. ”

El Tesoro 85th Anniversary Extra Añejo

65 SCORE

“Highly disappointed in this expression. Even though ET clearly notes this juice is aged in Bookers bourbon barrels, it’s just way too bourbony for me. Of course that’s mostly because I can’t stand bourbon. But the list price is way crazy high mainly I’m sure because ET saw where their other anniversary expressions trade at on the secondary and they wanted some of that $$. In sum, if you like bourbon, you’ll likely like this. If you hate bourbon like me, well you’ll hate this too. Either way, way overpriced. ”

Juan More Time Reposado

56 SCORE

“Bought a bottle in MX based on AM ratings. Yuck”

El Tesoro Mundial Collection Reposado - Basil Hayden

63 SCORE

“While I love most everything that ET produces, IMHO these Mundial expressions are a bad marriage. By definition I am more of a purist; I want my tequila to taste like tequila. I want to taste sweet cooked agave, not bourbon, not sherry, not wine. I do like a nice XA that was rested in oak barrels however. Which is why I always hunt for classic old dusties; tequila made before all of the producers started getting gimmicky. Thus if you’re like me and can’t stand bourbon, you will not like this. Pretty obvious that ET is trying to convert bourbon drinkers. That, I understand. Just not for me. ”

Siete Leguas "Siete Décadas" Blanco

89 SCORE

“Can’t imagine a better tasting blanco than this gem from the great Siete Leguas. Sweet agave, vegetal, herbal. Score would be higher if not for the price (and only 700ml). However now at approx $130 better value but still a lot for a blanco. ”

ArteNOM Seleccion de 1146 Añejo

88 SCORE

“Lots of cooked agave, vanilla, cinnamon and caramel and a little bourbon flavor. Newer bottles are 41.3 ABV. From the same nom as Tears; very similar flavor profile but at less than half the price. Highly recommend. ”

Don Alejo Reposado

90 SCORE

“One of my favorite reposados if not my favorite. To me this tastes exactly like a reposado should: nice cooked agave with slight aged mellowness. Obviously hard to find since nom 1079 is no longer. Just seems like distillers used more mature agaves 20 years ago when the category wasn’t as explosive as it is today. Thus more natural flavor profiles. ”

El Rey Silver

90 SCORE

“Sept 2024: Found this dusty during a trip to N Cali last fall. Finally opened it and man this is another awesome blanco from nom 1123. Nice, sweet agave, slightly spicey, vegetal flavors. Definite sipper for me. Hope I find more of this discontinued gem someday. 10/25 update: Old Town actually still had a bottle and I bought it online. Yay!”

Rey Sol Extra Añejo

91 SCORE

“Top 5 XA for me. Caramel, honey, vanilla, hazelnut and some cinnamon flavor profile. A bit pricey but delicious. One of the very few beautiful bottles that actually contains very good tequila. ”

Loco Tequila Blanco

91 SCORE

“Another winner from nom 1123. Very nice agave forward profile; excellent sipper, nice long finish. But the price point is well, loco. ”

Suerte 8 Year Extra Añejo

93 SCORE

“Excellent XA. Love the oakiness, yet the agave still shines. Hints of hazelnut, butterscotch and caramel. Tremendous value. Profile right up there with Rey Sol but at half the price. Highly recommend. ”