Carlos F. rated 20d ago

Siete Leguas Blanco

89 SCORE

“You know you’re drinking, or smelling Siete Leguas by the minerality and lovely brine. That brine is reminiscent of green olives, with a earthiness and pepper. But that agave is there front and center. The olive, pepper, and minerality act as nice accoutrements to the agave. You get some citrus and herbs hiding just below the surface. They don’t always show themselves, but do pop up from time-to-time. On the palate, the agave real is at the forefront. That minerality and brine shine through, and there’s the Spanish green olives. It’s not overly sweet, but there is some from the cook agave, along with raw agave and some green vegetables. That’s a pretty sad descriptor, I don’t think I suffer from synesthesia, but I taste the green. Maybe some green herbs too. The mouth feel is full bodied, and coats your mouth. Luxurious is a good way to describe. Finish is lasting and complex. It takes you by the hand on a little walk, not many straight lines, a bit meandering. From start to aftertaste, this blancos give you a bit of a warm hug. No burn, but a pleasant heat from the alcohol.”

Carlos F. rated 22d ago

El Tesoro Tequila Mundial Collection - Yamazaki Cask

90 SCORE

“Very complex nose. Cooked agave is the first thing you notice. Olive/brine comes through shortly after. Oak, and sweet caramel and honey. Some dried fruit and a little black pepper. Every once in a while I get some orange. Palate has both cooked and raw agave. Pepper, oak, herbs, and a nice alcohol bite that numbs the tongue. Olive & brine on the back end. The nose is sweeter than the palate, though there is some slight sweetness. The finish is long and the alcohol numbness last quite a long time. Pepper comes through on the finish along with the brine revisiting. A very well balanced, long, complex tequila that definitely leads with agave. The finish satays with you for a long time. Take time between sips. So much will happen between sips. If you drink to fast, you’ll miss out on that little journey.”

Carlos F. rated 25d ago

Cascahuín Destino

92 SCORE

“The value score on a tequila like this kinda throws things off. Especially for a tequila that is pretty much unavailable. Without the value score, I think I bump it to a 91. Two unique aspects of this tequila are the smoke you get on the backend. Very pleasant. Not at all overpowering. It only adds to the overall experience. And the second is how oily this tequila is without feeling particularly viscous. This is to say nothing of the flavor and aroma. On the nose you get minerals, earth, herbs, and pepper. On the palate you get nice agave and alcohol. Pepper follows. Herbs, some citrus, and then that smoke. Finally those natural oils coat your mouth. Again nothing overwhelming, but the oils help to disperse all the flavors. ”

Carlos F. rated 45d ago

Tequila Cambio Blanco

88 SCORE

“The couple of times I’ve had Cambio I’m struck by how sweet the tequila is. It’s a pleasant sweetness that is kept in check by the nice bite that always seems present. I think the added proof does a little t of work. At 46% the slight heat doesn’t let the sweetness go too far. If not for the agave forward character of the blanco, might even think it’s too sweet, maybe a little cheating going on, but the raw agave seems to be doing the heavy lifting. The nose is pleasant, with lots of raw and cooked agave, and slight minerality. The finish doesn’t linger too long, at least not a strong presence, but hints of agave and some floral notes last a bit. But the palate is the main player here. Quick hit of agave and sweetness, are from and center. At the price point, it’s a very easy sipper, with enough complexity and just enough lactic funk to keep your attention. ”