Rob D. rated 4d ago

Manuscrito Tequila Blanco - Chapter Two

85 SCORE

“Manuscrito, 0002, Chapter Two, High Proof Blanco Conditions: resting in Kenzie for an hour, outdoors, 76 degrees, no wind. Appearance: shimmery platinum / silver, very slow, well spaced legs creep down hinting at mouthfeel, sweetness and possibly reflective of higher proof at 101. Aroma: this bad boy was teasing my olfactory senses as it sat in the glass resting from about a foot away so this is an intense aroma— strong lime citrus from afar, pleasing saline and minerality with grassy wetness, grapefruit as it gets closer and hints of wild mint and tarragon. A definite lowland vibe from a highland expression on the nose Taste: immediate ethanol warmth as it coats palate with a thick mouthfeel. The heat gives way to a tantalizing spice bomb— ancho and chipotle chili, mint and a buttery texture form with the citrus providing a neat counterpoint leading to a lingering and contemplative finish that frames the sip for a long time after. This would absolutely sing in a cocktail, however its complexity and spectrum warrant a quiet, neat sipping session. Bully Verdict: they nailed the assignment for this manuscript! 4.5 / 5 Bullies Knowledge is Flavor. Robbo, CSS, EBS, Tequila Sommelier (ITA) AMM Panelist Booze-Bully.com”

Rob D. rated 17d ago

Siembra Alteño Blanco

86 SCORE

“Conditions: opened bottle, room temp, resting in Kenzie 30 min. Appearance: water white almost silvery, sticky, slow legs form on glass, possibly indicating sugar content and mouthfeel. Aroma: medium: immediate spectrum of citrus, mineral, raw agave and white pepper. Savory over sweet on the aroma akin to buttery lemon square with a salty crust. Taste: initial: wow what an immediate flip to sweet cooked agave and lots of spice: cinnamon, tumeric evolving on mid palate to a minty and oily warm finish. Excellent lasting finish on palate as expected, leaving me excited for continued contemplation of subsequent sipping. This expression is a compelling journey of lowland aromas paired with the highland sweetness and spice tones. Really well made tequila Robbo, Booze-bully.com Parker, Colorado ”

Rob D. rated 17d ago

Aguasol Tequila Reposado

88 SCORE

“Conditions: outdoor calm clean air, ambient temp 70 degrees, rested for 40 min in a Kenzie glass Appearance: hint of pale yellow against a white background, some legs present but disparate. Aroma: light to medium: freshness, crisp citrus and white pepper, slight sweetness akin to watermelon rind, or kiwi with some minerality. Taste: Initial: lively buttery sweetness with a honey blossom feel on the mid, transitioning into a fruitier spice as it warms— reminds of my mom’s stone fruit compote she used to make for guests when I was a kid. Finish leaves a nice contemplative report of warmth, spice, carmelized agave and just a hint of aged wood. If I didn’t see the color and was truly blind to this expression it speaks reposado with hints of barrel character. ”

Rob D. rated 20d ago

El Ateo Añejo Ultra Premium

86 SCORE

“Conditions: indoors, 70 degrees, Kenzie glass, resting for 30 min Appearance: pale light gold shimmer, numerous legs that took a while to form possibly hinting at viscosity and / or sugar and alcohol content Aroma: medium to intense, oak and leather melds with sweet carmelized agave, angels food cake and lemon bar. As it opens, some earthy lemon grass appears later on evolving into stone fruit sweetness. Taste: prominent barrel flavor sticks around on the initial, with a fine balance of cooked agave, black pepper, toaster strudel (cinnamon) and a savory quality hinting at Thanksgiving spices and allspice. Finish is lingering and contemplative with a great harmony and balance that coats the palate and lingers. Very appealing expression for either the mixologist and /or the agave afficionado.”

Rob D. rated 20d ago

El Ateo Blanco Ultra Premium

86 SCORE

“Conditions: indoors, 70 degrees, Kenzie glass, resting for 30 min Appearance: pale light gold shimmer, numerous legs that took a while to form possibly hinting at viscosity and / or sugar and alcohol content Aroma: medium to intense, oak and leather melds with sweet carmelized agave, angels food cake and lemon bar. As it opens, some earthy lemon grass appears later on evolving into stone fruit sweetness. Taste: prominent barrel flavor sticks around on the initial, with a fine balance of cooked agave, black pepper, toaster strudel (cinnamon) and a savory quality hinting at Thanksgiving spices and allspice. Finish is lingering and contemplative with a great harmony and balance that coats the palate and lingers. Very appealing expression for either the mixologist and /or the agave afficionado.”

Rob D. rated 26d ago

El Jimador Blanco Tequila

64 SCORE

“Conditions: 30 minutes rest in a Kenzie, room temp, outdoors, ambient temp 72 degrees Appearance: silvery water white, pronounced even legs against glass possibly hinting at sugar, alcohol content and / or viscosity Aroma: light pronounced lemon-lime soda, grassy notes and raw agave. Have to really dig to divine the full scope on this one. Hint of popcorn (maybe the popcorn balls we used to eat as kids) as it opens up a bit with gentle swirls (many of them for this one) Taste: Initial: the sweetness on the initial taste hits first but it’s cloying: almost artificial tasting as the notes on the aroma are hard to detect now. Ethanol forward with very thin spectrum and still I search for agave on the mid and finish as the aroma seemingly promised. Third try: I’m not really getting a lot out of this except that sweet cloying ethanol with the faintest faintest echo of agave. I actually did the hand sanitizer test on this to see if a film was detected but I found none. One could speculate that this expression could be a diffuser made tequila designed for the cocktail set rather than the aficionado and for that purpose I imagine it would do the job just fine. Robbo, CSS, EBS, Tequila Sommelier (ITA) Booze-bully.com Parker, CO”

Rob D. rated 29d ago

Corrido Blanco

89 SCORE

“Conditions: room temp, Glencairn, sitting for an hour Appearance: silvery-white, languorous legs against glass portending alcohol, sugar and possibly viscous mouthfeel Aroma: medium yet pronounced raw and cooked agave, bright lime citrus and melon fruits, Asian pear, white pepper, wet cement. A later approach brought some spearmint and pickle brine along for what may prove to be a great agave taste voyage…… Taste: initial sip: beautiful balance of cooked agave sweetness, black pepper, pear, baking spice and herbal tones. Less citrus on the palate than from the aroma but as it sits and warms, a briny oily texture comes through that hits my “jam center” with oh so pleasing savory layers. The finish is wonderfully long and spice laden. The aroma was foretelling on this one as it’s a layered expression that keeps unfolding with every sip. The spectrum reminds me of highlands agave and if I were to close my eyes and be truly blind, this pour could pass for a repo. This expression hits all the right buttons for the aficionado seeking a contemplative flavor bomb. ”

Rob D. rated 44d ago

Volcan de Mi Tierra Reposado

83 SCORE

“Conditions: calm outdoor evening, sunset, 72 degrees, resting in a Kenzie from a previously opened bottle. Appearance: shimmery pale gold, languorous uneven legs hinting at a possible thicker mouthfeel, or sugar / alcohol content. Aroma: light to medium, bright citrus and grass, carmelized and raw agave with a sweet vegetal layer as it unfolds in the glass. More time evokes warm spice and a tinge of astringency possibly from the tannins of its French oak treatment. Taste: initial: here is where the sweetness balances with a noticeable barrel feel though they seem very balanced and in harmony. Warmth of palate evokes layers of crème brûlée with Asian pear as it finishes with a lasting, rounded report reminiscent of a nicely aged cognac. The elements of champagne blending and production are apparent here which is a compelling aspect to this expression that would be appreciated by the aficionado and mixologist alike. In other words….. me likey…. Me like a whole lot! Robbo Booze Bully (Booze-bully.com) Parker, CO”

Rob D. rated 45d ago

Tierra de Ensueño Reposado

85 SCORE

“Conditions: indoors, 70 degrees, resting in a Kenzie for 35 minutes Appearance: shimmery, pale yellow / gold with slow slow evenly spaced legs, indicating, sugar and / or alcohol content and viscosity Aroma: intense— grassy, citrusy notes at first evolving into jolly rancher apple candy. Raw and cooked agave balanced with earth and mineral trailing off into melon and mild mint. Taste: initial- cooked agave with an overall thicker mouthfeel developing into a buttery pear tart with a mint and pepper-corn garnish as it warms on the palate. Finish is beautifully balanced and lingering, with cornbread trailing off. A thoroughly enjoyable and contemplative reposado that keeps giving as it opens in the glass and on the palate. ”

Rob D. rated 53d ago

Zumbador Tequila Blanco

91 SCORE

“Conditions: room temp, Glencairn sitting for over an hour: Medium aroma of raw and cooked agave, dandelion leaves, wet cement and lime zest, with a buttery salinity with agitation akin to a Castelvettano olive brine. White pepper the more ya dig into the glass! Taste: initial is lovely sweet cinnamon and pepper with that butter coating the mid palate as it finishes off with a limey and somewhat oily coat. Contemplating the after finish I can almost taste fennel or anise. This expression is my jam: the sweet balanced with all sorts of savory goodness. At this price point I would “case” it in a heartbeat!! Value beater all the live long day!!!!! Robbo, Booze Bully ”

Rob D. rated 77d ago

Mijenta Tequila Blanco

80 SCORE

“For a highlands expression this one leads on the nose with citrus, lime and pepper, maybe some cut grass— which I’d expect more from a valles. That said as it warms the olfactory, honey butter settles in for a warm sweetness that invites the palate nicely. Sweet, cooked agave hits on the initial sip with some wet cement, celery, and amazingly, Asian apple, as the finish signs off with a warm lemon-square, dessert kind of feel. Very easy to sip, not overly complex, would stand up nicely to mixology! Cheers from Parker Colorado! Booze-bully.com”

Rob D. rated 210d ago

Lost Lore Tequila Blanco

87 SCORE

“Sweet green tea mixes with carmelized agave on the nose with some citrus notes as you approach the glass. Creamy mouthfeel accentuated with darker spices on the palate, faint cinnamon, chamomile, balanced with minerality and saline. A highly contemplative and compelling expression with a lingering silky finish. An amazing tequila!”

Rob D. rated 215d ago

Don Julio Blanco

60 SCORE

“The problem with resorts is that they stick to distribution agreements that tie them to a conglomerate producer which limits the offerings severely. At the Westin Conchal, Costa Rica it was Diageo and therefore Don Julio across the board. Both the blanco and repo are extraordinarily thin in spectrum with a scant finish and no complexity to speak of. Guess one could say “smooth” if one doesn’t care for the experience of a true authentic expression or if cocktails is your jam. I can only drink so much rum and for my palate it’s a dessert pour more than an “all day beach” thing, so …… glad I brought a Siete Leguas with me,……… sorry, not sorry.”

Rob D. rated 409d ago

Trujillo Manifiesto 56

98 SCORE

“I’m tight with the Denver distributor of the Trujillo label who introduced me to them, and I honestly think they do know wrong. That said this is my current fave of the portfolio as it’s a flavor bomb that just won’t stop. With a run of just 30K bottled it’s one that I purchase whenever I see it. Conditions: room temp, Glencairn, sitting over an hour. Aroma: I’m reminded of an oceanic floral scent on the nose almost like the famous cologne “Acqua Di Jo” that is balanced with citrus, black pepper, minerality and grapefruit rind. That oceanic element shows as a briny vibe on the nose which gets the saliva glands goin’ I tell ya! Taste: initial sip: oh man…… an explosion of character beginning with the sweet cooked agave, almost rock-candy like as the still strength then creates a wave of peppery spiced balance with the citrus notes and earthiness. The finish is long and languorous with an oily coat that leaves me contemplative and utterly dumbfounded— “how did they get agave to do this” kind of satisfaction. This is the agave nerd’s dream y’all…… an expression that will leave you so very stimulated by layers and layers of flavor. Robbo Booze Bully”