Allen M. rated 887d ago

Terralta Tequila Extra Añejo

90 SCORE

“Nose rich with cooked agave , oak, cinnamon, vanilla , butter and butter scotch. The mouthfeel is velvety smooth with a long sweet finish. The palate boasts cooked agave, cinnamon and fruit, including berries l, honey and barrel spice. It is complex and well balanced. Amazing product from El Pandillo, especially considering the price! Definitely one of my favorite XAs ”

Allen M. rated 915d ago

El Tesoro Blanco

88 SCORE

“Excellently balanced blanco boasting of cooked agave, black pepper, minerality with grassy and citrus notes on the nose followed by smooth palate accompanied by tobacco, grapefruit and a sweet long lasting finish. A definite must for the price range. ”

Allen M. rated 959d ago

La Gritona Reposado

71 SCORE

“This 8 months aged tequila exhibits scant reposado characteristics and the nose and palate are overtaken by peppery notes and to a vague extent, a hint of a ‘plastic’ aroma which is followed up by cheesy notes, likely produced by caproic acid (a carboxylic acid) -a congener naturally produced during the fermentation process. It as marginally balanced and thin on the the palate exhibiting slight excessive sweetness. There is a lot going on inside this odd, curious and unique bottle - yet it never really comes together in such a way as to please the palate. ”

Allen M. rated 960d ago

Fortaleza Reposado - Winter Blend 2023

90 SCORE

“G.E.S. hit a home run with his 2023 Winter Blend! We are sipping Lote LWB-R-05 and feel that this expression adds certain organoleptic dimensions and depth which leans more towards an añejo with its delicate forward cooked agave, caramel, molasses, barrel spice, oak, cinnamon, honey, and butterscotch accompanied by a hint of sweet apple. It provides a long and smooth finish which balances sweetness with soft peppery notes. Overall en excellent sipping tequila…. Almost at a fault- as we have to temper our desire to finish the bottle! ”

Allen M. rated 964d ago

123 Organic Extra Añejo (Diablito)

88 SCORE

“Brilliant golden color accompanied by distinctive viscosity, tears and pearls. The nose is boasting with cherry, vanilla, dried fruit and caramel though a bit lacking regarding agave notes in the nose as well as the palate. The palate is soft, expressing bountiful notes of butterscotch, caramel, chocolate, barrel spice, cinnamon, dried fruit and honey. The finish, including the initial palate leans a bit heavier on the sweeter notes, and exhibits only medium complexity. ”

Allen M. rated 983d ago

Terralta Tequila Blanco

88 SCORE

“Crisp clean nose boasting well balanced aromas of cooked agave, black pepper, minerals, earth, fruit, floral, and grassy notes. The wonderful nose entices you to taste- and when doing so, you are rewarded by a delicious and soft palate filled with well balanced flavors as noted on the palate, with the addition of butter, cinnamon, and numerous herbal notes. As anticipated, a fabulous flavorful blanco by NOM 1579 ! ”

Allen M. rated 983d ago

Fortaleza Blanco (Still Strength)

91 SCORE

“Extremely well balanced and complex still strength blanco by Fortaleza. Another fabulous expression, as anticipated! The nose is rich with cooked agave and expected alcohol notes, which are in harmonious balance with minerals, citrus, vanilla, vegetal and fruity aromas. Though clocking in at 46% abv, the palate is delightfully soft and brimming with cooked agave, dried fruit, honey, butter and cinnamon accompanied by minerality and black pepper. It pleases with a long lasting, slightly peppery finish and longing for another pour! ”

Allen M. rated 983d ago

Montagave Blanco 'Héritage'

89 SCORE

“A unique blanco exhibiting a slight golden hue due to its resting in Bordeaux barrels. The nose exhibits rich cooked sweet agave, accompanied by citrus, floral, minerals, grassy and oak notes. The mouthfeel is velvety and soft on the palate and exhibits medium complexity. The palate impresses equally boasting similar notes as the nose, with accompanying honey, tobacco, with a slight peppery finish. A distinctive and delicious blanco! ”

Allen M. rated 985d ago

Rey Sol Extra Añejo

88 SCORE

“Exquisite XA with complex layers of flavors without losing the agave(almost). Though it is not necessarily an agave forward tequila, its presence is there, albeit subtly. It boasts an amazing bountiful nose which emanates caramel, vanilla, honey, citrus, orange peel, chocolate and cooked agave. The palate does not disappoint and is rich with its expression of caramel, cinnamon, vanilla, dried fruit, cherry, citrus, chocolate and slight cooked agave which are delicately balanced with a velvety mouthfeel and a long lasting finish. Although acknowledging a wonderful tequila, an unexpected sense of sweetness tends to exert a subtle, yet tangible effect on an otherwise excellently crafted tequila. ”

Allen M. rated 985d ago

Tapatio Añejo

90 SCORE

“Complex and well balanced with notes of cooked agave, honey, vanilla and caramel with a velvety smooth mouthfeel. Subtle peppery notes are also present which are balanced by the sweet flavor of the agave and hints of honey on the long lasting finish. An a excellent tequila, especially considering the relatively low cost. Awesome sipper! Carlos Camarema never seems to disappoint. ”

Allen M. rated 985d ago

ArteNOM Selección de 1123 Blanco

89 SCORE

“Light golden color with a predominance of cooked/roasted agave accompanied by subtle smoky notes due to its brief life spent in used mezcal barrels which is unique for a blanco tequila. The nose, including the palate also exhibit soft alcohol notes coexisting with earthy, grassy, black pepper, mint, licorice, brine, minerals and a hint of honey. This is an excellently balanced and full bodied tequila and extremely drinkable. A delightful and unique tequila- Kudos to Salvador Rosales at Cascahuín distillery ! ”

Allen M. rated 985d ago

ArteNOM Seleccion de 1414 Reposado

86 SCORE

“Smooth and delicate nose with rich agave forward notes accompanied by rich clean crisp flavors, though exhibits a somewhat thin mouthfeel with a gentle peppery sort finish. ”

Allen M. rated 985d ago

Wild Common Tequila Reposado

91 SCORE

“Light golden hues with moderate viscosity coating the glass adges followed by soft delicate notes of cooked agave, butterscotch, vanilla, floral and baking spices. It is silky on the tongue with a amazing mouthfeel. It is complex and extremely well balanced. The palate delights with cooked agave, cinnamon, caramel, clove, honey with hints of black pepper, oak and baking spices. Overall en excellent, well crafted reposado ! ”

Allen M. rated 986d ago

Volans Blanco

89 SCORE

“Cooked agave accompanied though followed closely by alcohol, grassy, vegetal, olive and grapefruit. Average complexity and balance with a finish predominantly consisting of grapefruit, orange peel and peppery notes. ”

Allen M. rated 986d ago

Wild Common Tequila Blanco

91 SCORE

“Soft cooked agave dominates the nose followed by grassy notes, accompanied by minerality, white and black pepper, citrus, brine/salt and a hint of vanilla. There is also alcohol on the nose which does not overpower the overall olfactory senses. The plate follows in a similar fashion as the nose with the addition of bell pepper, olive, and mint flavors. It is extremely soft on the palate and excellently balanced with complex nuances. Overall a delightful sipping blanco from Cascahuín with an excellent value. ”

Allen M. rated 988d ago

Patrón Extra Añejo 10 Años

88 SCORE

“Despite 10 years of barrel aging, I would have expected a “woody” nose or palate- instead, the aromas and flavors are distinctively, though tastefully those of cherry, caramel, cooked agave, butter, dried fruit, cinnamon, butter, and the expected cacophony of notes of a medium aged tequila and certainly lacking the complexity I would have anticipated for a ten year old- especially considering the price tag. ”

Allen M. rated 988d ago

Gran Patrón Smoky

82 SCORE

“Purchased Gran Patron Smoky Silver after viewing an impressive video of the production of Gran Patron Smoky filmed by Grover highlighting the movements by a handful of tequila brands to return to the “artisanal” methods of production, including the cooking (hydrolysis) of the agave in underground earthen pits- in the manner that mezcal is still produced today. As anticipated, the nose and mouthfeel is distinctively smoky, accompanied by cooked agave, earth, vegetal, citrus, grassy, alcohol, buttery and soft peppery notes. Though a enjoyable product, unfortunately this move to a labor intensive “artisanal” tequila has the unintended consequences of increased costs associated with the benefit of a smoky nose and palate which is on the edge of the spectrum for everyday tequila consumers. If you fancy smoke, this tequila will delight. ”

Allen M. rated 988d ago

Fortaleza Añejo

91 SCORE

“An exceptional expression of tequila by Guillermo Erickson Sauza at Fortaleza using artisanal small batch methods of production. The nose is rich with aromas of cooked agave, honey, vanilla, caramel, subtle oak and butterscotch and the palate follows with the addition of cinnamon, orange peel, chocolate and a slight pepper finish. It is well balanced and extremely soft on the palate, full bodied with moderate complexity. Due to the recent surge in demand for this wonderful tequila, unfortunately its acquisition has been somewhat of a challenge due to its limited availability due to small batch production (artisanal) vs industrial- though more likely due to a selective distribution processes resulting in inflated prices via online sales. ”

Allen M. rated 989d ago

Volans Extra Añejo (6 Year)

90 SCORE

“Excellently balanced 6yo extra añejo by Volans with a delightful soft nose with surprisingly agave forward aromas despise 6 years of barrel aging. It is well balanced with a soft lingering mouthfeel with a somewhat sweet and balanced peppery finish. The rather high cost of acquisition combined with the bottle volume of a mere 700cc is somewhat of a stretch for an otherwise beautifully crafted product in which the aroma and gustatory qualities can be found in several other XAs for about half of the acquisition price. ”

Allen M. rated 989d ago

Siembra Valles Ancestral Blanco

87 SCORE

“Excellent project with the collaboration of Salavador Rosales and David Suro to create a unique and long awaited process of Tequila production via the century old ancestral method of tequila production. The nose, including the palate are expectantly and delightfully smoky with cooked jalapeño notes while terpenes and terpenoids tend to step forward with their mint, pine tree, pine needle, peppercorn, grassy and citrus notes. Despite the smoky nose and palate which is welcomed in a tequila produced via an ancestral method, the agave notes are also present in a well balanced tequila with a warm, smooth mouthfeel. Kudos to NOM 1123 (Cascahuín) and Siembra Valles for this wonderful and unique tequila! ”

Allen M. rated 989d ago

Suave Tequila Joven 45G

84 SCORE

“Slightly peppery on the front end with a slight edge on the alcohol notes compared to the 42S, with butter, clove, citrus, black pepper and minerality. A classic original and extremely unique tequila due to the unanticipated elevated furfural level of the Suave XA. Creating this one of a kind Joven blend between Scarlet, Grover and Suave is a treasure and a proud treasure in our tequila collection. Thanks TMM ! ”

Allen M. rated 989d ago

Suave Tequila Joven 42S

88 SCORE

“Cooked agave, butterscotch, cinnamon with caramel on the front with a velvety mouthfeel with a soft long lasting finish. Thanks to the high furfural concentration of the XA barrel, we were able to discover a quite unique and limited and delightful Joven! Kudos to Scarlet, Grover and Suave. ”