Alfonso H. rated 922d ago

El Tequileño Platino Blanco

78 SCORE

“Tequila El Tequileño Platinum Blanco An elegant version of a classic tequila, El Tequileño, in its usual form is a mixed tequila, 70% blue agave and 30% piloncillo. It has been considered a simple, affordable, and reliable tequila, often regarded as the best mixto in production. In my opinion, it surpasses some 100% agave options! This version is now a 100% agave that spends at least 14 days in barrels, technically making it a blanco but with a hint of wood influence. Founded in 1959 under the name "La Guarreña" distillery by Don Jorge Salles Cuervo in Tequila, Jalisco, exclusively producing El Tequileño, named in honor of the people born in the magical town of Tequila! Using only agaves from Los Altos de Jalisco, it is believed that the high mineral content in the soil imparts a unique sugar concentration and flavor to the tequila. In appearance, it is crystal clear with subtle amber highlights. When exposed to light in a certain way, the glass reveals slight golden edges—a very distinctive feature! With 40% alcohol content, the legs disappear quickly, descending swiftly to reunite within the glass. On the nose, there are fresh, almost citrusy notes with a sweet undertone of cooked agave, finishing with a mild spiciness and alcoholic note reminiscent of anise. The aroma persists, lingering in the nose, enticing one to taste it! On the palate, it is very light with little body, dissipating quickly and leaving few flavors apart from the characteristic warmth of spirits. The note is of cooked agave, highly spiced, and slightly peppery. Very malleable and easy to drink, but with limited complexity and flavor development. I believe this tequila is crafted to cater to a broader audience, particularly those less experienced in tequila tasting and the expanding foreign market. As a result, more commercial brands need to adapt to capture a share of this commercially attractive market. Truthfully, it is a reliable tequila, and I find its mixto offering to be a better value proposition than this 100% agave. It's a straightforward tequila, leaning towards being mediocre from my very particular point of view. If you come across it, you might want to pass it by!”

Alfonso H. rated 936d ago

Cascahuín Reposado Siete Veces Diez

90 SCORE

“This limited edition is named "Siete Veces Diez" to honor Engineer Salvador Rosales Torres, the second generation of Tequila Cascahuín, who celebrated his 70th birthday this year! Congratulations and best wishes to the engineer! This tequila is truly special as it is a blend of the three blanco tequilas from the brand's lineup, each aged separately for 190 days before being blended into a single reposado tequila and bottled. All three tequilas were made from agave harvested from the same plot, Encino Mocho, planted in 2017, with a standard jima of 2.5 cm of leaf. They were cooked for 72 hours in the tequila distillery's brick ovens before undergoing their unique individual processes. For the Cascahuín Blanco, the process involves a roller mill and distillation to 55% alcohol, diluted with water to 44%, and barrel-aged for 190 days in American oak barrels, producing 1,950 liters of this expression. For the Cascahuín Tahona, the process uses a tahona for juice extraction, distillation to 46%, and direct barrel aging in the same type of barrels for the same duration. For the Tahona, this process is unique, because is only sold as blanco, the final production was 1,485 liters. Lastly, Cascahuín Plata, also processed with a roller mill and distilled to 49% alcohol, was barrel-aged without dilution, also a unique process, as plata it is no offered as aged expressions, was onlye aged for this special edition, with a production of 1,620 liters. The final blend resulted in 5,055 liters at 45.23% alcohol. I must begin my observations by stating that I am a fan of blanco tequila, rarely opting for rested, let alone aged. I believe tequila expresses itself best as a blanco—what it is, is what you get, no more, no less, there is no place to hide in a blanco expression. Visually, it presents a pale golden color, as if burnished by time, with bright, silvery highlights—elegant and subtle. On the nose, it is something special—hints of vanilla and wood, very subtle, giving way spiced notes, slight tingling, with underlying mineral notes, akin to brine, concluding with citrusy notes, like citrus peel—very fresh. The nose is intriguing; the barrel presence is felt but not overpowering. It's an interesting and distinctive blend. It is like silk when it touches the palate. Immediately, the alcoholic sensation traverses and warms the tongue in a very pleasing manner, caressing it without aggression. It slowly unfolds in the mouth with flavors of cooked agave that transition into sweet, vanilla-laden notes. The barrel influence is so light, so subtle, adding just enough to provide an extra level of expression. But fundamentally, there is a marvelous blanco tequila here, disguised in a golden, shiny, sweet cloak. A serious tequila, full of character and personality—wonderful for these chilly evenings, gathered with friends, savoring the moment, accompanied by a unique, special tequila!”

Alfonso H. rated 944d ago

Cascahuin Cerro De Luz Blanco

90 SCORE

“Tequila Cascahuin, Cerro de Luz. Another from the Cascahuin distillery, a very limted edition of about 2250 bottles celebrating distillery aniversary for 2021. This special edition is crafted in a small batch using agaves from the Cascahuin hill, cooked in a cone-shaped earth oven. The process involves extracting the juices with a tahona and fermenting with the presence of fiber for several days, following the old-fashioned way. Visually, it's beautiful, vibrant, lively, and bright, with a silver hue and well-formed legs that cling to the glass with its 49 ABV! The aromas are very green, with hints of roots, wet earth, and a fresh finish, quite interesting!! It's highly mineral with distinct notes of cooked agave lingering in the background. Taking the first sip is a celebration, joyful, fresh, slightly salty, with smoky notes and a robust character. The 49 degrees of alcohol are subtly hidden because, although you feel the warmth in the mouth, it's not the main focus. A great tequila, distinct and lively, playful on the palate with very mineral notes. An excellent tequila!!”

Alfonso H. rated 1010d ago

Tequila Ocho Plata Puntas - 2021 La Ladera

89 SCORE

“Tequila Ocho, produced in Arandas, Jalisco, since 2021 in a brand-new distillery called "Los Alambiques", as it used to be produced in the "La Alteña" distillery of the Camarena family for over 85 years. Tequila Ocho was founded in 2007 by the master tequilero Carlos Camarena and the tequila ambassador Tomás Estes. Arandas is in the region of Los Altos, a place where wonderful tequilas are produced to this day, currently being the other major tequila hub alongside Tequila valley With a very interesting concept borrowed from wine, the Terroir. That is, caring for the origin of each batch of tequila by identifying the plot where the agave comes from, and the characteristics of the ranch and the harvest. They argue that this makes a difference in the flavor profile of the tequila, so each batch of Tequila Ocho has different characteristics from the previous ones, somewhat like the harvest and region in red wines! This Tequila Ocho Puntas also has a very daring and innovative concept, as only the “puntas” of the distillation are bottled. These are the first distillates that come out of the process, which are said to be the richest in flavors and alcohol content, normally used to adjust the alcohol levels of the entire batch of tequila once distilled, while something was saved for the maestro tequilero to taste on special occasions and with special company. This bottle was made with agave from the La Ladera plot. Visually, it is very beautiful, with very special silver tones, although a bit more subdued in brightness than others. It appears denser and a little more opaque. It has long and everlasting "legs," the longest and slowest I've seen up to this point. Of course, it had to be this way, as it is bottled with 50.5% alcohol! On the nose, the first thing that is perceived is the alcohol. It's a bit challenging to find other nuances, as the spicy note is very dominant. However, if we persist, we find a very pleasant background of cooked agave. The first sip is incredibly alcoholic! It immediately warms up the entire mouth and tongue, presenting itself robust, sturdy, and strong. Very alcoholic but very correct, it's strong but it doesn't attack you, it hits you elegantly and gently. After the alcohol, cooked agave develops, finishing with herbal and mineral notes. A Tequila for a Gentleman, very robust, but pleasant. It's not a tequila for everyday, but it appeals to me as a perfect digestif after a hearty meal and red meats with their portion of fat. Ideal to put the finishing touch on a feast and to kick off the post-meal conversation!”

Alfonso H. rated 1018d ago

Tequila Ocho Plata Puntas - 2023 Mesa Colorada

91 SCORE

“ Tequila Ocho Plata Puntas 2023 A highly anticipated expression since that first batch of "puntas" in 2021. One of the first high-proof tequilas that I tried and fell in love with this type of spirits. I believe Tequila Ocho is doing things wonderfully, with very high-quality tequilas, top-notch facilities, a well-organized tour with excellent service, excelling in every aspect! It makes me happy and proud to know that tequila in the highlands offers such rich experiences both in the bottle and at the distillery! Visually, it's incredible. Very silver, completely transparent, lively, sparkling, from the look, it appears refined, elegant, very well-crafted. On the nose, it's delightful! Cooked agave, caramel, deep, complex, very interesting. Incredibly, alcohol isn't the main focus as in other high-proof ones we've tried, it's a very harmonious nose, on various levels, outstanding!!! On the palate, it's intense, the attack is wild, a warmth that embraces the palate, slowly moving through the mouth, gently, warm, pleasant! Very herbal and mineral, green agave, pepper, a slightly salty finish, long-lasting, it's a procession of flavors, sensations, always accompanied by that very pleasant warmth of high-proof tequilas! In my opinion, a more elegant, more balanced tequila than the 2021 batch. If you come across it, don't hesitate to grab a bottle or two!!”

Alfonso H. rated 1024d ago

Cascahuín Tahona Blanco

93 SCORE

“From a traditional distillery that has gained recognition in recent years, I believe it's because they have remained faithful to their way of making tequila and have now found a niche that values and appreciates it. Founded in 1904 in El Arenal, Jalisco, a municipality in the Valles region known as "the gateway to the Agave landscape" by Don Salvador Rosales Briseño, stands the Cascahuin tequila winery, which translates to "Hill of Light" or "Party on the Hill". Always with a promise, a consistently even tequila. Visually, it's a bit more opaque than others we've tried while still being clear, but it looks beautiful as it diffracts light in a different way. It has very well-formed legs that slide evenly, almost forming a layer on the walls of the glass and take their time to return to the bottom. When seeking out its scents, we realize that they are very different from the common ones - green agave, wet earth, roots, a lot of grass, it's almost like walking in a green field! A very distinct and pleasant aroma! On the palate, it's wonderful, silky, it embraces the palate with pure velvet, unctuous, with a lot of cooked agave, immediately a very pleasant warmth, as befitting of 42% alcohol, and it fills the mouth and the tongue, a long aftertaste with a fresh and herbal finish that invites the next sip! An impressive tequila, with character, with flavors and aromas that are a very well-interpreted symphony, everything in its place, everything in its time, impressively easy to drink and leaves you wanting to pour the next glass! In my opinion, the best blanco tequila currently produced with an unbeatable quality/price ratio!”

Alfonso H. rated 1037d ago

Los Abuelos Blanco (Still Strength)

87 SCORE

“Tequila Los Abuelos Still Strength. A recent tequila but with a lot of history. The one who started everything is Don Cenobio Sauza in 1873 in La Perseverancia, his first distillery in Tequila, Jalisco, then in 1976 Don Javier Sauza sold the business to Casa Domeq but maintained a ranch with a micro-distillery, La Fortaleza, which they left abandoned, until that in 1999 his grandson, Guillermo Erickson Sauza reconditioned it to launch Tequila Los Abuelos in 2005. A curious fact is that when they wanted to export it to the United States they were sued by the Abuelo rum company, so in the United States it is sold under the name La Fortaleza, but it is the same tequila. To the eye, starts from the bottle, hand-blown and with an agave top, also hand-painted, with a nice label and in general a very pretty image! A very clean tequila, completely crystalline, brilliant, with silver-colored flashes as the light passes by. When you pour it, the glass sparkles with a rosary attached to the walls, in addition to long legs that are slow to descend, its 46 degrees of alcohol are noticeable, as they say, a quality obtained directly from the still without diluting it, as his grandfather drank it! On the nose there is a lot of cooked agave, some sweet and warm notes provided by the alcohol, at the end a hint of bitter citrus fruits, like lime. On the palate it is like on the nose, a strong presence of cooked agave, full-bodied, with character. Then the heat floods from the mouth to the throat, delicious! At the end notes of green grass that remain in the aftertaste for a long time. An excellent tequila! With strength, but a lot of flavor and very expressive!!”

Alfonso H. rated 1072d ago

Siete Leguas Blanco

84 SCORE

“At sight it is very crystalline, with marked and sparkling silver notes, with the right light the glass becomes pure silver!!! It shows long legs, which, although they drain quickly, are very numerous in the glass, they look many and very close together. It has 40 ABV. The aroma is entirely of cooked agave, a spiciness of alcohol and a background of pepper, notes of green grass, this tequila has a very interesting nose! In the first sip, it shows all its personality, unctuous, full-bodied, a lot of cooked agave, some smoke and a spicy itch while warming the whole mouth in a very pleasant way to finish in a long aftertaste with notes of anise or mint. . Excellent tequila, strong, with personality, demanding! How I like them!”

Alfonso H. rated 1080d ago

ArteNOM Selección de 1579 Blanco

88 SCORE

“ Today we tried ArteNOM 1579, one of the two blancos from the ArteNOM line, the other made in Tequila Cascahuín. To the eye, it is crystal clear, very bright silver flashes, it looks bright, playful, in the glass it leaves long, even legs or tears and it shows good body when shaking the glass. On the nose it is an agave bomb, very cooked, notes of cajeta, sweet potato, with a very citric, lemony finish, and an elegant, contained, very pleasant alcoholic finish. Unique nose for this tequila! The first sip is incredible, a balanced, elegant tequila, a Señor Tequila! Cooked agave, smoke, a bit of cinnamon, peppery finish, mint, anise, mineral notes, long, pleasant, warm aftertaste, begs for another sip, like this, slowly, savored, tasted!! An exceptional tequila! One of the best I've tried, it's complex, elegant, a nose and mouth profile that I hadn't tried before and I loved it!!!!”

Alfonso H. rated 1081d ago

Tierra Noble Tequila Blanco

82 SCORE

“Tequila Tierra noble blanco Produced in one of the highest distilleries in the world, La Estacada, in Mazamitla, Jalisco, in the southeast region of the state, a forested region nestled in the Sierra del Tigre, part of the Sierra Madre Occidental. This distillery located at almost 2,200 meters above sea level has 6 tequilas on the market and they say that with that height the distillation takes on different nuances that give a unique flavor profile, as well as the mixture of blue agaves from the Highlands of Jalisco and the Valley of Tequila. With 40 percent alcohol it presents a very nice design on its label, elegant, modern, very classy. In the glass it is crystalline, with beautiful legs, very fine and in large quantities. It falls very nice in the glass! On the nose, cooked agave is distinguished, light smoke, sweet notes, herbal notes in the background and a faint and light alcoholic sensation. The first drink is wonderful, very alive, very present. It feels balanced, rich in alcohol but without overwhelming or stinging, elegant notes, very well harmonized, a very pleasant sensation of warmth and a very tasty long finish! It is an elegant, modern, balanced tequila with a different profile but faithful to the canons of a good tequila! I liked it very much!”

Alfonso H. rated 1260d ago

Herradura Blanco 46

79 SCORE

“On the nose it’s fragrant, herbal, raw agave and then hints of cooked agave, some sweetness and a lot of alcohol! First sip it’s strong and brave! So much body some pepper and then a little smoke of cooked agave and then strong alcohol I like it! It’s rough around the edges, not an easy drink but taste like and old time hard tequila! You should try it at least once!”