Ryan M. rated 92d ago

Yeyo Añejo - Mission 1530

90 SCORE

“I was fortunate enough to try this new Mission 1530 bottling alongside Jason and the Yeyo team pre-release. What an to an outstanding bottling! The rum cask imparted such a lovely sweetness to this tequila. In fact, I was amazed at how well the rum influence played with the Vivanco house style. You have your trademark citrus, cooked agave, florals and minerality that one would come to expect from 1414. The rum cask brought out a notable brightness to the distillate; I found papaya, melon, molasses, banana, mango and caramel. This was additionally matured in a first-fill ex-Willet barrel. I also found subtle ex-brbn influence, but the rum cask really stole the show for me. The unique combination of flavors were well integrated and complemented each other nicely. A welcome new addition to the Mission 1530 series. Completely different from anything they’ve put out prior to this release. ”

Ryan M. rated 105d ago

Nobleza 33 Tequila Blanco

93 SCORE

“On the nose, cheese! Another lovely lactic nose on this particular sample. I happen to love cheesey tequila, so I’m not complaining. Underneath the cheese balls is a beautiful perfume component with pickled fruit basket. On the palate is savory fruits(some pickled), melon, grape, cantaloupe, overripe strawberries, apples on the verge of spoil(but nice), pepper, yeasty, musty, pickled flowers(is that a thing?), minerality, cactus candy, guava… This is wonderful ”

Ryan M. rated 105d ago

Agazul Blanco

82 SCORE

“The nose is rather tame. Some vanilla, astringency and florals. The palate is a bit better, although a slight acetone is present. Palate is mint, agave, vanilla, florals a hint of honey and some nail polish. Nice finish, leaning into florals and vanilla. It’s a clean well made blanco for sure, but not my favorite of the bunch. ”

Ryan M. rated 105d ago

Torrente Blanco

84 SCORE

“Earthy on the nose with some florals in the mix. There’s a general sweetness on the palate with some citrus pith, lime, peppers, earthy notes, green apple skin, and flower petals. There’s an interplay between sweet & bitter, but the balance is off for me. Leans a bit too far bitter on the finish. ”

Ryan M. rated 105d ago

Felicente Tequila Blanco

91 SCORE

“Presents sweet & fruity on the nose with apple, grape, citrus marmalade, pepper, overripe agave, and a lactic punch. Big kiwi opening on the palate with more of the fruits detected on the nose - apple, grape, strawberry, and citrus candy. Throw some basil & rosemary on top of your fruity bouquet, quite complex this one. There is a nice peppery base here that carries through to the finish with that delicious lactic component that I’m a sucker for; somewhere between Greek yogurt and blue cheese. ”

Ryan M. rated 105d ago

Tequila Point Blank Blanco

85 SCORE

“On first contact I’m not in love with this samples profile. On the nose is an acetone note, it’s bitter, astringent and takes away from the florals and cooked agave. On the palate is a spicy bomb, it’s allspice, black pepper, brine, herbaceous, vanilla cream, and slight acetone. Drying on the finish. Not my favorite. ”

Ryan M. rated 105d ago

Cultura 100 Blanco

89 SCORE

“A very agave forward blanco. On the nose is cooked agave, vanilla, cinnamon, cardamom, clove, lemon/lime and earthy tones. On the palate is sweet agave, handful of olives, brine, fresh mint, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, citrus, and mud(but I’m enjoying it). The finish is very nice with hints of celery creeping in on the tail end. This sample reminds me of a great valley tequila. It’s both sweet and spicy with a nice muddy base. ”

Ryan M. rated 105d ago

CASA J Blanco Ensemble

92 SCORE

“Lovely nose on this, very complex. There’s an overarching theme of clay/minerality/dirt on this tequila’s nose. Comes across as rather musty, cactus candy, wildflower, cumin, black pepper, citrus rind, maybe a hint of smoke. On the palate one could fool me into thinking this is a mezcal. There’s jalapeño, green pepper, bell pepper, earthy, celery, mint, black pepper, white pepper, cinnamon, black licorice, some cocoa, and anise. It’s a rugged tequila, one that is rustic, vegetal, and very complex. It has a slightly drying finish; the tannins completely envelope the palate leaving jalapeño & agave to savor. ”

Ryan M. rated 105d ago

Doce Casas Blanco

87 SCORE

“A subdued nose to start. There’s green tea, kiwi, guava, anise, florals(bordering on soapy), and detergent sheets but nice. On the palate there’s citrus pith, lemon, bay leaf, intense florals, clay, green tea, and underripe pineapple. The finish is good, although slightly bitter on the tail end. This is a solid blanco, although not my preferred style. It leans too far into the florals and bitter citrus for my palate. ”

Ryan M. rated 105d ago

Tequila El Patriarca Blanco

91 SCORE

“Quite closed off on the nose compared to other blanco’s in the flight. This is a very rustic, earthy nose with rocks, gravel, mulch, mint, intense black pepper, pumpkin, and a lactic character. On the palate is anise, bell pepper, vegetal notes, rocks, lactic, cinnamon, pumpkin, black pepper and licorice notes. This is an austere blanco, one that I enjoy quite a lot actually. It’s challenging and unique with a real grungey character. The nose opens up with a bit of airtime and the palate has a nice interplay between the bitter earthy notes and sweet cinnamon spice/pumpkin notes. Additionally, the arrival is viscous with a nice finish. ”

Ryan M. rated 105d ago

Tequila Rimari Blanco

90 SCORE

“A nose that jumps out to meet you. Vanilla bean, florals(gardina, wildflower), anise, petrichor, zesty lime peel, orange and fresh green pepper. The palate follows the nose, although it is slightly clipped on the finish. A rush of brine on first arrival as well as green olives, minerality, anise, lime, orange peel and flower garden. The nose is my favorite part of this blanco, it completely envelops you. It’s fresh, zesty and full of character. The palate is also nice with brine, minerality and some green olives coming into the fold. The finish is good, but doesn’t quite reach the level found on the nose and palate. ”

Ryan M. rated 171d ago

Mijenta Blanco Maestra Selection No. 2

82 SCORE

“Sounded interesting in concept, but fell flat in execution for me. This release was a bit too chaotic & thin on the palate. ”

Ryan M. rated 171d ago

Yéyo Reposado Agave Vice 89

87 SCORE

“Big ol’ punch of fruit in the face. This release is not subtle. Plums, raisins, melon and dates all on the verge of fermenting(in a good way). There is a nice agave base here which kept the funky flavors in check. Very nice”

Ryan M. rated 171d ago

Yeyo Reposado Rosa

84 SCORE

“A solid Rosa, although I found it one note & a bit raw woody. The nose is the best part here with berries, grapes, melon and florals. On the palate the wine influence goes one way & the distillate goes another. Although the flavors are good, the cohesion is lacking. On the front palate it’s all fruits, but on the backend the wine influence dissipates & it’s agave all the way. ”

Ryan M. rated 171d ago

Cambio Cellar Series #10 - Rosa De Pommard

90 SCORE

“Cambio continues to impress with their Rosa release. I have not been a big Rosa enjoyer across the board, but this one is head & shoulders superior to any other I’ve tasted. Wonderful integration of French wine casks on the distillate without getting too fruity or woody. I believe this is even fermented using French wine yeast. Outstanding, with an interesting sense of terroir. ”

Ryan M. rated 171d ago

Lost Lore Reposado High Proof

84 SCORE

“A decent high proof repo, but it’s plagued by raw wood syndrome. Needed to spend a bit more time marrying with the oak to avoid the gingery, cardboardy, woody finish. Pleasant nose & front palate though! ”