Ryan A. rated 202d ago

Gran Dovejo Añejo

89 SCORE

“On the nose: the agave is there but it’s really playing second fiddle to caramel, butterscotch, and just a general round sweetness. Vanilla. Very clear vanilla. On the palate: Oak, vanilla, butterscotch. Maybe a bit fruity. Agave, very “round”. Gorgeous sweetness. This is from NOM 1651, I would have liked to try the 1414 but damn, this is fantastic. Very well done. Exquisite anejo, and well priced. ”

Ryan A. rated 220d ago

Cazcanes No. 9 Rosa Blanco

85 SCORE

“On the nose: Light agave, a touch of fruity sweetness, definitely some ethanol but it’s faint. Maybe a little berry. Lightly floral. On the palate: Agave, a touch of bitterness that I’m not fond of. A little berry that is pleasant but fleeting. Not a ton of heat, which is an improvement over the the previous distillery. Again, I feel as if I am the dissenting opinion on Cazcanes. This is definitely interesting and I do like it a fair bit more than the previous distillery’s #9/10 blancos, but this really fails to wow me, which I was hoping for. However having had a few SiB repos and jovens from them, I am looking forward to the Rosa repo. I think Cazcanes will shine in an aged expression. ”

Ryan A. rated 600d ago

Volans Still Strength Blanco

89 SCORE

“Nose: Agave for days, sweet. Citrus, minerals. It’s almost like an interplay between those and nothing else. There are other aromas coming up, but that agave and citrusy minerality dominate the show. Palate: Wow, the taste is near identical to the aroma, which magnifies the intensity as I’m drinking and smelling it. Agave bomb, very little heat for the proof. The citrus notes are gorgeous, and this is just so pleasant. A little intense for me because of how much the nose and palate mirror for me, but damn good. Pricey, but good. ”

Ryan A. rated 600d ago

Ocho Tequila Plata

88 SCORE

“Nose: Agave bomb, I keep getting hints of something else but it’s quickly overwhelmed by agave. This is, at least on the nose, my favorite expression of Ocho so far. Some light floral notes, but agave is INTENSE. Palate: Agave, ever so slightly floral. Much rounder than previous expressions of Ocho in my experience. Very oily. Maybe a little citrus. Overall, quite good. Not my favorite Ocho so far, but very good. New bottle, it may open up and grow on me some more. ”

Ryan A. rated 619d ago

Villa Lobos Añejo

86 SCORE

“Nose: Vanilla bomb. Clear soft vanilla, the dominant note. Cooked agave in the back, but then the vanilla and fruity notes come in. Some oak. The vanilla is shockingly abundant though, so sweet and inviting. Palate: Very soft agave and vanilla intermingled, oak, fruit. Maybe a slightly overripe banana note, almost notes like a rum. Sweet, oily, a touch of brininess. This is not the typical 1139 flavor profile I am accustomed to, but it is very nice. ”

Ryan A. rated 623d ago

Pasote Extra Añejo

91 SCORE

“Nose: Fruity as heck. Pineapple, agave, something like kiwi. Oak comes through, some vanilla. A touch of caramel, I swear I’m almost betting chocolate. Palate: Agave is more front and center than the nose but definitely still fruity. Pineapple, orange peel. A little oak and vanilla. Incredibly well balanced and complex. Cery oily, long finish. Amazing. This is the only bottle I have and with the NOM change, I’ll never see this again. I have to sit with this and bring it out on special occasions. Truly a tragedy to see this gone. ”

Ryan A. rated 629d ago

Ocho Tequila Plata

89 SCORE

“Nose: Nearly overwhelming agave. Sweet, citrusy, a touch of petrichor. Agave is the star of the show. Palate: Agave bomb. There’s something there that just lets you know you’re drinking a Carlos Camarena distillate. Cinnamon, and behind the agave, a fruity note wants to come out. A little bit of orange peel. Well bodied, oily, medium long finish. This is top quality. Here in California, Ocho can regularly found for $34.99 and I’d say that you’d be hard pressed to find a better sipper at that price. ”

Ryan A. rated 630d ago

Yeyo Blanco

85 SCORE

“Revising after letting the glass “open up”. Nose: Agave, pepper, floral notes. Slightly vegetal, a little of brininess and light citrus notes. Palate: Loads of agave, baking spice, cinnamon. Something like white pepper, a touch of ethanol which dissipates as it opens up. A little tropical fruit, but very mild. Medium-long finish. Overall, solid but not my favorite from Sergio Cruz. Personally, I wont be keeping this around once the bottle is gone. ”

Ryan A. rated 907d ago

Carrera Tequila Blanco Still Strength

88 SCORE

“On the nose, very rich agave, some citrus. Almost nutty. On the palate, absolute agave explosion, cinnamon, slightly vegetal in a really nice way. Medium-long and clean finish. Coming back to it, I’m getting a little brine. Very interesting and tasty. This is what carrera should be, even the 80pf made from this was nowhere near this caliber. This is a high proof that I think anybody who likes high proofs will enjoy.”

Ryan A. rated 1172d ago

Wild Common Tequila Blanco Still Strength

92 SCORE

“On the nose, so much in your face agave. Minerals. Citrus rind, grapefruit. Herbal. Very good. On the palate, that agave punch really comes through. A touch more vegetal than the lot 1, but also warmer. A bit of cinnamon, some ripe fruit but not overripe funk. I’m really torn between this and lot 1. The original had a little bit of a better nose for me, bur I think I prefer the taste on this second lot. Either way, this is exceptional. Truly amazing craftsmanship. King of the valle for me. ”

Ryan A. rated 1180d ago

Cazadores Tequila Blanco

50 SCORE

“On the nose, sweet agave and Ethanol. Surprisingly more agave than I expected. The nose is actually not terrible. On the palate, it goes downhill very fast. The slightest agave but then ethanol, sharp medicinal notes. It evaporates on the tongue like acetone. This is atrocious. Might be fine in a punch or a squirt and tequila Paloma, but goodness this is awful on its own. ”

Ryan A. rated 1199d ago

Volans Reposado

88 SCORE

“On the nose, very sweet agave. Fruity, vanilla and a bit spicy. On the palate, this is very fruity and sweet. Surprisingly so, but not cloying by any means. Clearly a good natural sweetness. Very much the logical next step from the delicious blanco. Very rounded agave, a bare hint of barrel spice and vanilla. Overall an amazing repo. Another stunner from 1579, this is dangerously easy to drink. ”

Ryan A. rated 1200d ago

Wild Common Tequila Reposado

89 SCORE

“On the nose, a soft agave hit. The barest hint of barrel, saline and cinnamon. Some vanilla. On the palate, a much more rounded agave than the blancos. Minerals, very light barrel. Maybe some pepper, and a little bit of cinnamon. Overall, this is exquisite. Truly one of my favorite brands right now. ”

Ryan A. rated 1221d ago

El Tesoro 85th Anniversary Extra Añejo

79 SCORE

“On the nose, heavy oak and barrel spice, pepper. Good agave notes surprisingly. A bit of caramel, cinnamon. White pepper now. Vanilla. On the palate, lots of barrel spice. Oak. Definitely more oaky than I like. Whiskey notes, some toasted nuts. Very faint agave. Some cinnamon and vanilla. Overall very good, but I wouldn’t consider this 3x better than Paradiso, so definitely loses a ton of points. The $500-600+ sales price is a non starter for me. Absolutely not worth it imo. I can’t recommend this in good conscience, the price is just the pinnacle of absurdity in modern XAs. Very disappointed with the decision here. ”

Ryan A. rated 1221d ago

Anger Mgmt Tequila Reposado

83 SCORE

“On the nose, oak and barrel spice. Agave. Some ethanol, and a bit of vanilla. Something herbal or floral as well. I almost want to say sage but that’s not quite right. On the palate, definitely oaky and spicy. A little bit soapy almost, not too sweet. Vanilla, agave. Definitely has a bite to it. All in all, not bad. I don’t love it but I wouldn’t turn it down if offered either. ”

Ryan A. rated 1226d ago

Camarena Silver Tequila

56 SCORE

“On the nose, harsh and medicinal, a little agave and maybe pepper. On the palate, very thin, astringent. Not quite sour but there’s something like that there. Has a weird funk to it. A bit of agave, some pepper, maybe lemon? Overall, not good. Lunazul is not my favorite but if you absolutely must spend less than $20, that’s a much better option. ”