Esteban R. rated 1872d ago

Nosotros Tequila Blanco (NOM 1438)

82 SCORE

“Ever heard of the word petrichor? It's used to describe that peculiar aroma that comes from the earth right after it rains after a period of warmth. Even if you didn't know the word that would be the scent this Tequila would remind you the most of. Not quite earthy, not quite wet grass it falls in between those two categories delightfully mixing with the cooked agave center. Black pepper also makes a distinct appearance but it somehow feels understated when compared to the other smells present. This is by far the most tame black pepper I've smelled from a Blanco yet it doesn't feel weak or watered down. Just less in your face. The palate opens up with a wonderful mix of orange peel and cooked agave without either feeling overwhelming. Everything is in a nice balance which segways into the herby, earthy midpalate with style. I should mention here that this is a mix of lowland a and highland agave so the transition from fruitiness to herbal earthiness is to be expected. There's a hint of creamy fruit in the midpalate as well but it's not well defined, it's there more as a coy expression of the agave than a fully realized taste. I've seen a few online reviews mention a hint of mint as well and that seems partly true but I'd describe it as closer to a herbal effervescence than a true mint flavor. Meanwhile the back palate has a rather potent lingering burst of earthiness complemented perfectly by a spicy white pepper kick. An eloquent finish brings this Tequila to a very nice conclusion. I'm reminded of rich soil freshly watered. Tons of complexity for any introspective sipper to tease out though I'll be honest I don't quite know how to describe the various micro-expressions of the finish. What I can say is that the white pepper from the back palate melds perfectly with the earthy finish and there is minimal burn here. This is a fairly sophisticated Tequila offering with lots of character and understated complexity. To me, this is a perfect Blanco for mixing in a highly sophisticated cocktail while still being able to stand up as a sipper worth your time.”

Esteban R. rated 1885d ago

Viva XXXII Tequila Joven

81 SCORE

“Unlike a traditional Joven, this is a mix between a Blanco and Extra Añejo that is then filtered out to remove the color and some flavors in exchange of greater smoothness. Functionally it's closer to a Cristalino than either a Blanco or XA. The influence from the barrels is immediately apparent with a strong presence but it isn't nearly as potent as it would be even with an Añejo, think more of a mild mannered Reposado. Aside from the wooden scents there is also a prominent black and white pepper aroma that's quite enticing with a nice spicy kick, almost as if this had been infused with a hot pepper. There's also a nice herbaciousness to it with a distinct kick of Yerba Buena influence. A bit further in the background are hints of pear, green apple and lime that complement the more woodsy & herbal fragrances. Sadly the smell of agave is it's most muted one. It's present but hardly makes an appearance. What's nice about the taste is that it allows the vanilla and butterscotch of the barrel to shine through without overpowering the white and black pepper that defines all of the palate. Quite frankly it's an interesting dance between barrel flavors and the pepper that slowly gives way to the midpalate were the fruit notes take over. There's pear, tart green apple and even a nice jalapeño kick! They aren't nearly as prominent as the barrel flavors and they are more in the background of the pepper burst. Towards the back palate you get a bit of the yerba buena but unlike the nose it's surprisingly muted. It's also only near the back palate that you get any taste of agave. But the real story of the back palate are the black and white pepper maturing and mixing well with a minerality that seems endemic of carbon filtered products. Overall it's a great mix of sweet and heat flavors. As you might expect from a heavily filtered product, the finish is not very long or pronounced. Just a lingering black pepper sensation, a touch of agave then nothing. There's not much of an alcohol burn and this goes down extremely smoothly. A smidge more complexity would go a long way but it's not a bad finish and by far the worst part of it is just a hint of chemicals that most diffuser made products suffer from. But it's brief and muted without being too unpleasant. While this Tequila will not appeal to a traditionalist, I found it to be a very accessible, easy to drink modern Joven. It can't quite shake off that diffuser agave feel to it but everything else is quite interesting and pleasant to sip on. I think it's well worth giving a chance especially since 10% of the proceeds go to help animal shelters. While how carefully constructed the flavor profile is will be a turn off for some, when they put so much effort into making a smooth, compelling drinking experience, I can hardly be mad at having a bottle on hand!”

Esteban R. rated 1912d ago

Sauza Silver

46 SCORE

“It's amazing to return to this product with some age. Sauza was my go to Tequila in my early college days as it was affordable, tasted like agave and didn't immediately make me want to puke like Cuervo. But alas my fond memories of this product aren't to last now that I have a more sophisticated palate. Let's begin with the aroma. For a mixto, it's honestly not bad. There is a pungent smell of alcohol interwoven with agave but it doesn't overpower the other notes. There's hints of green apple, a vegetal muskiness and an undefined floral characteristic. I'm floored that the official tasting notes are pretty accurate though calling the floral smell Jasmine feels a bit fanciful from Sauza's part. Faintly in the background there is a white pepper note doing it's best to hide itself away. The taste itself is also surprisingly palatable--don't get me wrong here, I don't mean it's *good* but it isn't undrinkable. Agave with a strong ethanol presence dominates the palate. It feels extremely disjointed & unrefined but honestly it doesn't burn the tongue. The mid palate is of artificial green apple and there's a weird, almost tea like note in the back. It's completely undefined but not unpleasant. Almost as if you brewed a third cup of the same tea only to find out most of the flavor is gone. It's also a surprisingly salty, borderline briny Tequila. It isn't immediately apparent. Rather as you drink it and reflect on it you realize there's a weird saltiness in your tongue and it's hard to ignore when you notice it. But it's also not super prominent. Hard to describe. It's basically annoying enough to make itself known but not enough to "ruin" the experience, not that tasting this is super pleasant to begin with. But where the Tequila really falls apart is the finish. It doesn't burn you the way Jose Cuervo Especial does. It is, however, fairly bitter. Pretty akin to eating the pith of a lime with some weird citrusy undernotes. This lasts for about 20 seconds before giving way to both a white pepper finish and an absolutely terrible swill of processed chemicals. The pepper does a good job in masking the chemical process but sadly it lingers in the back of your throat for way longer than it should. I wouldn't really recommend this Tequila for sipping or drinking by itself. It isn't half bad for making a giant, cheap margarita mix for a large gathering though. But it has few uses as a serious mixer. I recommend the Zapopan if you want a cheap mixer.”

Esteban R. rated 1922d ago

El Baston del Rey Reposado

46 SCORE

“This isn't really a Tequila in any sense of the word. It's more analogous to a Spiced Rum with Tequila in it than an authentic Tequila experience. The nose is extremely artificial. Butter, butterscotch, vanilla, caramel, brown sugar and cinnamon dominate. Nutmeg, oak, sawdust and agave are in the background. This has indeed been aged in a barrel but that isn't the focus. There's also an artificial banana and fruit flavors. I can't help but feel they were meant to be more prominent but the other artificial additives took over. The tongue is dominated by the flurry of artificial additives from the aromas. Look hard and you get some oak, leather and agave in the background. But really this is sweetened beyond belief. It makes for a nice treat to a dessert but as an actual Tequila this is unacceptable. And at the price point? Be honest with your customers. This isn't Tequila, it's a Tequila Liqueur.”

Esteban R. rated 1925d ago

Avión Silver

67 SCORE

“What an odd Blanco. There's quite a bit going on in the nose. There's vanilla, tropical, fruity scents, black pepper and bizarrely also an earthy aroma. Almost like wood or moss? It's not bad but not what I expect in a blanco. Others have said a citrusy smell but I'll be honest, I'm not sold. I went with lemongrass because there's an almost herbal like quality to that almost lemon-orange smell. So, sounds like a great bouquet of fruity and earthy smells? Sadly not quite. The alcohol really dominated most of the smell to the point all the other smells feel like after thoughts rather than in full display. I really wanted to like the smell but it's just too alcohol forward for me to really enjoy it. Despite the strong nose the actual taste is surprisingly flat and timid. You do get a strong pineapple and lemongrass taste (or at least a citrusy-bittery taste) that fades away into a black pepper and banana finish. After the initial burst of fruit you do get a fairly noticeable taste of alcohol. But despite these descriptors it somehow tastes tame. Almost watered down. The agave is barely present and I found myself really struggling to find anything beyond pineapple and black pepper mixed with alcohol. The product just feels very coarse and unrefined. I'm reminded of the white rums available. Rich in fruity smells but with ethanol underpinning their enjoyment. This could actually be a great mixer what with it's fruit-centric notes but at $35 for the 750 mL it's very hard for me to recommend this bottle to anyone. It's too overpriced for what you get. Ultimately, I don't hate this Tequila. Just wish it had a much better price.”

Esteban R. rated 1925d ago

Jose Cuervo Especial Gold

29 SCORE

“Let's start out with the aroma. It's really bad. It straight up smells like an odd chemical concoction that just so happens to have hints of agave and a weak leathery smell from actual reposados. I cannot emphasize enough how strong the chemical scents are though it didn't make me gag, just question why I would put this into my body. The actual taste is horrendous. It tastes like chemically corroded agave, ethanol and acetone. There's also this sharp chemical bite that I cannot verbalize. It's quite foul. First try was particularly horrendous as I gagged and recoiled. I'm not one to be melodramatic. It was that bad. Honestly I don't have much else to say about the taste. Once you get used to it, it just tastes like an ungodly chemical fusion. This is actually undrinkable. I only finished my glass because I feel I have a strict duty to fully review the product and beLet's start out with the aroma. It's really bad. It straight up smells like an odd chemical concoction that just so happens to have hints of agave and a weak leathery smell from actual reposados. I cannot emphasize enough how strong the chemical scents are though it didn't make me gag, just question why I would put this into my body. The actual taste is horrendous. It tastes like chemically corroded agave, ethanol and acetone. There's also this sharp chemical bite that I cannot verbalize. It's quite foul. First try was particularly horrendous as I gagged and recoiled. I'm not one to be melodramatic. It was that bad. Honestly I don't have much else to say about the taste other than once you get used to it you realize they poured a lot of sugar into this to pretend it tastes sweet. This is actually undrinkable. I only finished my glass because I feel I have a strict duty to fully review the product and be fair. Maybe there'd be something to like here. But definitely not. The finish isn't much better. There's a peculiar, harsh burn going down along with an unnatural bitterness. My lips stung from drinking this. But there are two saving graces. The first is the obvious, very artificial caramel flavoring they've added which provides a much needed respite from the chemical junk that attacks the senses in the body. The second is a surprisingly white pepper finish that makes the insane bitter end bearable. All things told the finish is miles above the initial flavors but that is such a low bar it's not worth much. The best thing I can say about this is that it smells better than it tastes. Please avoid this. It actually tastes more like corrosive poison than tequila. I'm not saying this just to hate on a major brand. I recently tried Cazadores and thought it was decent. But this? Absolutely no redeeming qualities. They should be ashamed of selling this.”

Esteban R. rated 1928d ago

Cazadores Tequila Reposado

73 SCORE

“Smell is both complex but not particularly pleasant. Agave is the most prominent but let it sit on your glass and you'll find a peculiar smell. It's earthy, briny, and has a spice. My best guess was Caraway Seed but I'm not sure. Also possibly it's not a spice but just pepper mixing oddly with the earthy notes. I can't quite tell. Definitely a peculiar smell though it retain the somewhat leathery like most reposados have albeit extremely subtle. Taste wise it has that weird chemically taste most diffuser tequilas have but to it's credit it doesn't dominate the experience. Agave, vanilla, caramel along with subtle oak-ey flavors can be found. It has a nice finish of black pepper that lingers for a good minute. I must say, for a budget, industrialized Tequila this isn't bad. I would recommend this is a great budget Tequila that's passable as a sipper as well.”

Esteban R. rated 1933d ago

Zapopan Blanco

61 SCORE

“This is adequate, straight to the point cheap Tequila. It does it's job and does it right. On the nose it's agave, olive, alcohol with a lingering black pepper. You may find some earthy notes or the smell of cut grass. They're there but pretty hidden. The taste is about the same as the aromas. Mainly agave with the taste of olive brine. There is an odd mineral taste towards the back palate and then the usual black pepper of many blancos. The alcohol burn is medium-light. That's it. That's all there is to this Tequila. It's not particularly complex, I wouldn't drink it neat. It's really meant more to be used as a cheap mixer or the cheap flask as something you sneak into a concert. It's actually a great value given how cheap it is and it's head and shoulders above Jose Cuervo. It's my go to ultra-budget Tequila.”

Esteban R. rated 1941d ago

Casamigos Tequila Blanco

72 SCORE

“The nose is extremely pleasant while also being clearly artificial. It smells overwhelmingly of vanilla, extremely buttery, and almost of cake batter. Cinnamon and caramel though not as prominent. There are some hints of lime along with a vegetal smell. There's also a woody scent which I'll say are wood shavings. I cannot emphasize how it doesn't taste authentic yet it's not unpleasant. It tastes pretty much like what it tastes albeit with the agave flavors being extremely muted with the downside that the taste of alcohol being more prominent. Vanilla is the most prominent taste followed by caramel then buttery notes. Tastes more like a pleasant candy. Some earthiness in the back palate goes nicely with the cinnamon that leads to a pleasantly understated black pepper finish. Whether you like the finish or not is up to individual taste. This stuff is extremely smooth and makes for an excellent shot. It's not complex but it is very accessible. My main gripe with Casamigos is the price point. It feels way too pricey for a Tequila that solely relies on its artificial flavoring. Still, it's not a bad treat. If you value traditional Tequila stay away but if you're up for a sweet Tequila this isn't bad.”

Esteban R. rated 1945d ago

Doña Celia Tequila Blanco

74 SCORE

“This is my third attempt to review this Tequila and to be fair I can't quite decide how much I like it. The smell is interesting. There's a vegetal, earthy musk to it but it also reminds me a lot of chamomile tea. There's also a fruit lingering there but I can't make up my mind whether it's pear or green apple. Definitely a tart fruit that goes well with the floral aromas also pleasant. This is a great example of earthy, floral blancos. Taste wise it's very hard for me to pin down. Extremely earthy and vegetal but I can't quite pin down the flavors. There is a hint of some kind of mint. I want to say spearmint but it could just be regular mint. Agave is present way in the background but it's really the earthy, vegetal tones that shine through up until the late mid palate at which point the more floral themes from the aroma are present building up to the finish. And what a lovely finish it is! The floral notes give way to a great, persistent white pepper finish that is a bit spicy and finishes the tasting on a positive note. All things considered this is a decent if somewhat unremarkable tequila. The actual product is closer to $30 but you're also paying for the beautiful bottle. If you care only about product it is overpriced but personally I think it's at a good enough price point. I'm not sure I'd seek a second bottle out but it's a good addition to your collection.”

Esteban R. rated 1945d ago

Chinaco Reposado

77 SCORE

“The nose is quite typical of any reposado: oak, vanilla, agave and black pepper further in the background. There is some fruitiness here with a touch of pineapple and pear that nicely rounds out the smells and keeps it somewhat interesting. The dominant flavor in the tongue is a surprising earthiness mixed with a nice pineapple taste. That's surprising given that it smells more fruity than earthy, so imagine my surprise when I found bits of mint towards the mid and back palate. There's also the taste of the oak, agave and vanilla but they are more background decorations than the main set, though they do become more prominent near the finish. Speaking of the finish it's pleasantly spicy with the oak and pepper acting nicely in sync with what can only be described as a pleasant alcohol burn. It lasts for almost a minute with the oak dominating the final moments. I would say it's a good reposado & worth seeking out as the only Tequila made in Taumalipas. It's not mind blowing but it is pleasant to drink.”

Esteban R. rated 1946d ago

Viva XXXII Tequila Reposado

88 SCORE

“Smells of pineapple and pepper, oddly barely any agave. Tastes of pineapple, oak, leather then a very strong, very long black pepper taste with some agave mixed in at the end. Not bad at all though if you want agave front and center this isn't the Tequila for you. ”

Esteban R. rated 1946d ago

Get Hot Habanero Tequila Reposado

77 SCORE

“The smell is quite pleasant, a subtle but nice mix of floral notes (maybe some Jasmine?) and fruity undertones, most noticeably pineapple. It's a reposado so a bit of vanilla, butter, oak are present along with a bit of spearmint. It's an easygoing aroma that doesn't try to impress and surprisingly doesn't have any habañero smell despite the infusion albeit you can definitely catch whiffs of some spiciness as well. The flavor is pleasant but like the aroma understated. Pineapple intermingles with the vanilla, butter and oak woody flavors. The mid palate has the pineapple gain vigor along with the agave. A bit watery and unpresuming. But where this Tequila shines is the absolutely magnificent finish. The pineapple and agave reach a crescendo giving way to a crisp burst of capsaicin with the habañero finally makes it's presence known giving this a pleasant kick that lasts for a good minute and a half. I just wish you could taste more of the habañero and being honest, this is more of an easy sipper for the poolside. It's begging to be mixed and it makes for some amazing margaritas. Excellent mixer to have on hand.”

Esteban R. rated 1947d ago

La Cofradia Reposado (Edicion Iguanas)

61 SCORE

“Wow this smells sharply of petrol. I can imagine that would be very off-putting for a lot of people but I'll admit I don't mind the odor so I am not biased against it though it is a sign of not so great Tequila. Get past that odor and you smell quite a things. Let's begin with the less exciting ones: vanilla, oak and agave are all present. This is clearly a reposado. There's also a strong pineapple scent along with caramel and cinnamon but they do not smell natural. I would be shocked to find out this doesn't have any artificial additives. There's also the smell of orange peel and jasmine flowers. If it weren't for the petrol this wouldn't be half bad. The taste is where this Tequila really suffers. It just tastes like a very generic but drinkable reposado. Agave, oak, vanilla. Bizarrely there's also an earthy taste that's nowhere to be found on the nose! Somewhat strong taste of alcohol then cinnamon and caramel from the additives. I won't lie, the additives actually don't taste half bad and helps quell the alcohol taste. The finish is where the additives really help finish this on a smooth note giving way to black pepper. An extremely mediocre Tequila with additives given a nice make-over by the gorgeous bottle, at $35 for it I didn't feel ripped-off though if you don't care for the bottle don't even bother. I wouldn't buy this again but it's not the worst thing ever.”