Chris A. rated 32d ago

San Matias Tahona Blanco

83 SCORE

“Aroma is nicely herbal/grassy (maybe even like cut hay). Also, a bit of citrus and anise. Flavor is full and rich - prominent anise along with cooked agave and herbs. Medium finish. This is a solid blanco. Not necessarily complex in aroma/flavor but good. 06-19-2026”

Chris A. rated 32d ago

Dos Artes Blanco

55 SCORE

“Aroma is sweet and artificial. Coconut, maybe bubblegum, and a strange petroleum/rubber/plastic note. If the aroma is bad, the flavor is even worse. Very watery consistency with artificial sweetness and a weird cinnamon heat. Maybe like those little red hots candy. Virtually no finish. Which is probably for the best. 06-19-2026”

Chris A. rated 33d ago

Ocho Tequila Plata

88 SCORE

“Good complexity in the aroma - cooked agave, floral sweetness, mint, butter. Those aromas come together to create a well integrated flavor. There is agave, there is some sweetness, there is some heat. And, not necessarily in waves but rather as a great combination of all those things. Medium finish. A great blanco tequila. I find the newer releases of Ocho to be a bit hit and miss. But, this one is a definite hit. 06-18-2026”

Chris A. rated 33d ago

Chinaco Blanco

76 SCORE

“Teardrop bottle circa ~2010-2012?? based on purchase notes. Lot L-1007, BN 12734 Aroma is relatively weak with a bit of cooked agave and pepper. Also, a subtle petroleum/rubber note. Not great. Initial flavor is weak and slightly watery. Followed by a rush of red chili pepper spice. Slight bitter almond at the end. Finish is short to medium. 06-18-2026”

Chris A. rated 34d ago

Calle 23 Reposado

82 SCORE

“Aroma is relatively light and bland with some cooked agave and mint. Flavor presents sweetness from cooked agave and apple/pear followed by a black/green pepper spice. Flavor is an improvement on the lackluster flavor. Nice medium finish with lingering heat. 06-17-2026”

Chris A. rated 34d ago

Don Rico Tequila Blanco

83 SCORE

“Mint, cooked agave and a slight lactic funk in the aroma. Spicy cinnamon and sweet agave combine to create a nice flavor. Warm finish is medium-short. This is a really nice blanco that would be a good sipper for a warm summer night. But, somehow, I feel like something is missing that would take it up to great/special status. It’s missing a complexity in aroma/flavor. 06-17-2026”

Chris A. rated 34d ago

Excellia Blanco

84 SCORE

“NOM 1110. Aroma shows cooked agave, mint, butter and a hint of floral sweetness. The mint and cooked agave are very present in the opening flavor. These move into some almond and spice. Interestingly and a bit uniquely, the spice doesn’t appear until way at the end. The mint ebbs and flows but is present at some level throughout. Nice complexity in the aroma and flavor on this one. Medium finish. This is a nice sipper you could spend an enjoyable evening with. 06-17-2026”

Chris A. rated 34d ago

Jose Cuervo Blanco - Rolling Stones Tour Pick

54 SCORE

“On one hand there’s not really much to the aroma but on the other there is a sweetness mixed with plastic toy parts. Flavor opens flat and watery (that’s the best part) followed by a short burst of weird, synthetic heat. The finish is very short so thankfully it’s over quickly. With this one, it’s exactly what you’d expect - Cuervo Tradicional. They’ve just slapped the Rolling Stones tongue and lips logo all over it. Maybe, just maybe, the Stones actually drank this back on the ‘72 tour. Probably wasn’t much else available and they were consuming so much alcohol and drugs they probably weren’t too concerned with the quality of their tequila. 06-17-2026”

Chris A. rated 36d ago

Calle 23 Blanco

80 SCORE

“Aroma has earth, cooked agave and olive brine but is dominated by a strong alcohol note. Flavor begins sweet (fruit - apple, pear) then progressed to a soft heat. The heat finishes medium-long. The alcohol in the aroma kind of kills the nice things about this one. Nothing special in the flavor. Pretty boring. 06-15-2026”

Chris A. rated 39d ago

El Tesoro Tequila Mundial Collection - Yamazaki Cask

87 SCORE

“Cooked agave very present in the aroma alongside a significant note of wet clay. (This wet clay is distinctly different from the Laphroaig which is much more of an earthy dirt aroma). None of the floral sweetness of the KC appears. The flavor is rich and spicy with cooked agave, cinnamon, and nutmeg. That spice lingers for a long finish. All three Mundials (Knob Creek, Yamazaki, and Laphroaig) are interesting side streets from the base ET añejo. While not wildly different they each display unique characteristics in aroma and flavor. All three have relatively long, lingering finishes. Definitely a good side-by-side tasting exercise. My preference is 1-Yamazaki (87), 2-Knob Creek (86), 3-Laphroaig (84). But, in the end, I would likely just go with the standard El Tesoro añejo (88). Side-by-side tasting of base ET añejo and 3 Mundial añejos. 06-12-2026”

Chris A. rated 39d ago

El Tesoro Añejo Mundial Collection: Knob Creek

86 SCORE

“Aroma of the KC is sweeter than the other 3. Plenty of cooked agave along with a floral sweetness. On the flavor, vanilla and cooked agave open and are followed by black and green pepper. Sweetness of the aroma is definitely there on the open but with the pepper heat that sweetness dissipates quickly and turns to a slight bitter almond flavor. Soft heat lingers on the finish for quite some time. All three Mundials (Knob Creek, Yamazaki, and Laphroaig) are interesting side streets from the base ET añejo. While not wildly different they each display unique characteristics in aroma and flavor. All three have relatively long, lingering finishes. Definitely a good side-by-side tasting exercise. My preference is 1-Yamazaki (87), 2-Knob Creek (86), 3-Laphroaig (84). But, in the end, I would likely just go with the standard El Tesoro añejo (88). Side-by-side tasting of base ET añejo and 3 Mundial añejos. 06-12-2026”

Chris A. rated 94d ago

Montagave Joven Cuvée de la Familia

89 SCORE

“This one is solid at every level with a lot of complexity. The aroma is nearly overwhelming with cooked agave surrounded by fruit (apple, pear and grape), brine that leans toward pickle, and raw nuts (almond, cashew). There is also something very distinctive that my nose is not experienced enough to name. The flavor is also a nicely integrated blend of sweet, cooked agave, fruits, spices and hot pepper. All those flavors sustain for a medium-long finish. This is a really good one. Tasting quite a few jovens today and this is the best by far. 2026-04-18”

Chris A. rated 94d ago

Casa Dragones Tequila Joven (Pepita Bottle)

59 SCORE

“Aroma is all black pepper and dirt with a hint of citrus. Very strange flavor that begins with almost nothing then evolves to a sweet, plastic-y phase and eventually some spice. After all the talk of how horrible it is I’m mostly surprised by how there is practically nothing in the flavor. Finish is very short. I would call this the incredible disappearing tequila. Even if you put the price aside (which is kind of hard to do because it is high) this is just not good tequila. Or, is it really tequila at all. So many better things to do with your money. And, if someone says the pepita bottle makes a great decanter, you can find really nice decanters for a lot less money too. 2026-04-18”

Chris A. rated 95d ago

KOKORO Tequila Joven Limitada

81 SCORE

“Aroma is fairly light with subtle notes of citrus, earth and cooked agave. Even after 10-15 minutes opening up there just isn’t much presence. Citrus is very present in the flavor along with cooked agave, anise and almond. Warm finish is moderate with some pepper and almond. 2026-04-18”

Chris A. rated 95d ago

Gran Reserva de Don Alberto Joven

79 SCORE

“Aroma has a combination of vanilla and fruit sweetness along with wet cement. Maybe slight note of cooked agave but not much. Flavor opens with peppery spice and pretty much remains on that one note. Surprisingly, none of the sweetness of the aroma shows up. Finish is short with a slight candied almond close. Not that many jovens out there and this is probably in the upper half of the ones I’ve tried. But, nothing special here. 2026-04-18”

Chris A. rated 209d ago

Tequila Mi Casa 9yr XA Small Batch

84 SCORE

“Batch# Lote No. V-S-B3 XA Bottle:786. ABV 43% Heavy notes of baking spice right up front. No real surprise for a 9-year XA. But, some cooked agave still shows through. Some sweetness is also present but not a traditional chocolate or vanilla it is more fruit-based. Flavor definitely leans toward whiskey with spice and a bit of almond. Spicy finish is medium-long. This one is very nice but the heavy barrel presence and whiskey leaning is just not my style. 12/24/2025 Annual XA tasting 2025”

Chris A. rated 210d ago

G4 Extra Añejo Reserva Especial 7 year

88 SCORE

“Aroma has a very evident brine (I would even say pickle) note up front. Over a little time that note dissipates and more traditional caramel and baking spice notes appear. Cooked agave is also present. Flavor is rich and complex with red and black pepper spice and fruit-based sweetness. Very nice mingling of flavors make this one special. Finish has a nice low heat and is medium to long. The price on this one does need to be mentioned and probably limits the audience. Can’t reasonably argue that any tequila is worth this price but this one is very good. 12/24/2025 Annual XA tasting 2025”

Chris A. rated 210d ago

Cascahuín Extra Añejo

91 SCORE

“Lote 948 03 11 18 Impressive complexity in the aroma - opens with crisp citrus and subtle minerality. Then, the classic barrel/cooking spice follows. And, very distinct cooked agave is completely present. Always impressive when an aged expression manages to maintain the agave notes. While the aroma is complex, the flavor may be even more so. Smooth fruit (pear, apple, plum) sweetness is quickly followed by a black pepper heat. Also, caramel and baking spice. The evolution and blending of flavors is something special. Soft, lingering heat in a medium to long finish. 12-23-2025 Annual XA tasting “warmup””

Chris A. rated 413d ago

4 Copas Añejo (Sea Turtle Limited Edition)

80 SCORE

“Opens with baking spice and just a hint of vanilla. After sitting for 5-10 minutes, more aromas appear - fruit (cherry and apple), mint and some wet rock, dirt/earth. Nice variation and evolution in the aroma. Many of the aromas appear in the flavor - baking spice, mint and earth. Don’t particularly notice the vanilla or any of the fruit. A small bit of peppery spice appears at the end. That spice lingers for medium to long finish. Overall, a nice añejo sipper. This bottle seems a little flat but it is 10-15 years old and may have some issues with the seal although try cork was in good shape and seemed well-seated. 6-3-2025”

Chris A. rated 414d ago

Dos Lunas Añejo

73 SCORE

“Updated 06/02/2025 (side-by-side blanco, reposado and añejo. All bottles purchased in 2012.) Aroma is very vanilla forward with some baking spices underneath. Sweet, vanilla flavor upfront followed by a bit of sweet spice. Short finish that doesn’t leave much to remember. Similar to the blanco, there is nothing really bad here but there is also not really anything good. No complexity, no evolution of flavor, no real finish. Might have been fine at the time (2012) at $24.99 but not something I would look for now.”

Chris A. rated 574d ago

G4 Extra Añejo Reserva Especial - 6 year

91 SCORE

“Classic G4 with vegetal aroma that is cooked agave forward. But, enhanced with citrus (orange) and other fruit notes (apple, pear, peach). The complexity of flavor on this is really impressive. So much intermingling here - earth/dirt, garden vegetables, citrus fruits and always the agave. Warm, peppery spice in the finish is nice and long. This is probably my favorite of the night. The complexity of aromas and flavors come together in amazing ways. Outrageously expensive and hard to acquire but if you can afford it you will be rewarded with something special 2024 Annual XA Tasting 12/24/2024”

Chris A. rated 574d ago

Tequila Alquimia Reserva de Don Adolfo Extra Añejo

90 SCORE

“Fantastic, complex aroma has distinct cooked agave up front but also traditional barrel notes of caramel and vanilla. Then, fruits like cherry, apple and pear. A lot going on here. Complexity continues in the flavor with nearly all the aromas showing up in some fashion. The 6 year aging may take this a bit into a whiskey-like flavor. Finish is long, sweet and warm. Alquimia is a great brand that doesn’t seem to always get the recognition they deserve. This is a great cold weather supper. 2024 Annual XA Tasting 12-24-2024”

Chris A. rated 655d ago

Cazcanes No. 9 Rosa Blanco

88 SCORE

“Side-by-side tasting of ‘23 and ‘24. Both poured and left to open for 15 minutes. Rating is for the RB92301 Aroma of cooked agave and wet stone. Underlying notes of fruit (cherry?) and mint. Sweet fruits dominate the initial flavor followed by a nice peppery heat and some mint. The 50% ABV makes itself known with some heat but in an understated not dominating way. Sweet/spicy heat lingers for a relatively long finish. Mint shows up again later in the finish. RB92402 Aroma is surprisingly different from the ‘23. Sweet notes dominate (fruit, butterscotch) with subtle hints of clay and cooked agave. Had to double check this was the blanco because the sweetness seemed more reposado-like. After another 10 minutes the sweet aroma dissipates quite a bit. Deeper fruits (plum) emerge with a strong earthy/mineral component. Viscous/syrupy flavor displays strong minerality with cooked agave and some fruit. This one really evolves over time. Warm pepper finish is long lasting. Surprising (almost amazing) how different these two are. Both are very nice. I would probably rate the ‘24 a point or two higher.”