C. A. rated 30d ago

Cenote Tequila Añejo

80 SCORE

“The lote (batch) number is 02203/2404A.  COLOR: Dark amber AROMA PROFILE: Fruit (cherries & roasted pineapple, hint of caramelized banana), light smokiness, caramel, vanilla, cooked agave & baking spices (light cinnamon, nutmeg), vanilla, herbal notes, oak/barrel notes (not overly woody but oaky-forward). PALATE: Subdued fruit, punchy oak & barrel spice, baking spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves), cherry skins, dried orange peel, light caramel & vanilla, light black pepper, dry cocoa powder. FINISH: 5-6 seconds MOUTHFEEL: Medium viscosity in the glass; Medium-thin mouthfeel ”

C. A. rated 88d ago

El Mayor Añejo

91 SCORE

“Lote #L061524M COLOR: Amber AROMA PROFILE: Sweet cooked agave & baking spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, light clove), white pepper, strong spiced fruits (red berries, dates, raisins), sweet citrus & citrus peel, caramel & light but creamy butterscotch, vanilla, grilled tropical fruits (pineapple & mango), sugared nuts (pralines, almonds), & sandalwood. PALATE: Mirrors the nose with the addition of black pepper, minerality, salinity, anise, & a vegetal/herbal note – Earthy, herbal/vegetal/grassy mixed with dried fruit, & baking spices profile. FINISH: 6-7 seconds MOUTHFEEL/VISCOSITY: Medium viscosity ”

C. A. rated 88d ago

Partida Añejo

90 SCORE

“Lote #TPA-208-LA COLOR: Darker gold AROMA PROFILE: Dried tropical fruits, baking spices (sweet cinnamon, nutmeg), caramel & fruity butterscotch, vanilla, oak/barrel notes, the same vegetal note from the reposado (a green bell pepper &/or green jalapeño pepper – mesocarp, not the seeds), black pepper, orange peel, maple or dark honey mixed w/tropical fruit & baking spices. PALATE: Led by deep, oaky caramel/butterscotch & baking spices, dried tropical fruits, the green notes from the nose, black pepper – prominent oak tannin bitterness starts the finish before balancing with the sweet & earthy, vegetal notes. FINISH: 6-7 seconds MOUTHFEEL/VISCOSITY: Medium viscosity in the glass & a medium-creamy mouthfeel; a creaminess is pronounced even on the nose. ”

C. A. rated 88d ago

Arette Blanco

86 SCORE

“Lote #LL172402 COLOR: Crystal clear with slivers of silver in the light AROMA PROFILE: Leads with prominent ethanol that dissipates over time followed by cooked agave & raw musky agave, strong minerality & vegetal/grassy notes, salinity, earthy, citrus (lemon & lime) fruitiness, lemongrass, floral notes, & white pepper. PALATE: Sweet & very prominent cooked agave & baking spices (cinnamon & cloves), minerality & salinity, vegetal/grassy/herbal notes, citrus fruitiness & citrus peel, black & white pepper, vanilla, raw musky agave (a bit funky, almost malolactic), & finishes with some anise bitterness on the back of the palate. The ethanol is definitely present but not overwhelming or unbalanced. FINISH: 10+ seconds MOUTHFEEL/VISCOSITY: Medium viscosity in the glass & a medium mouthfeel; the tequila coats the palate throughout the sip & remains after a while (very nice viscosity for the proof) ”

C. A. rated 88d ago

Milagro Reposado

61 SCORE

“COLOR: Very light gold AROMA PROFILE: Nose is led by prominent cooked agave & dried fruit, a vegetal green bell pepper note, vanilla, caramel, baking spices (cinnamon & nutmeg), black pepper, earthiness, orange peel, herbal notes, & oak/barrel notes. PALATE: Cooked agave & musky raw earthy agave, black pepper & baking spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves), oak tannins, minerality & salinity, caramel, vanilla, ethanol, orange peel, vegetal/green bell & jalapeño peppers, & an ending note of anise – There is cooked agave sweetness, but that is overwhelmed on the finish with black pepper, ethanol, anise, & oak tannin bitterness & dryness. FINISH: 5-6 seconds MOUTHFEEL/VISCOSITY: Briefly oily/creamy, but dissipates quickly. ”

C. A. rated 88d ago

El Tesoro Reposado Single Barrel

87 SCORE

“Virginia ABC Single Barrel (2024) - Lote B009-L336 COLOR: Light straw yellow AROMA PROFILE: Similar to the shelf reposado but with more robust baking spices & fruit – Cooked agave, baking spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, light cloves), fresh citrus fruits (Middle Eastern sweet limes & natural limeade), white pepper, light caramel & vanilla, oak/barrel notes, herbal notes, earthiness – very fruit & baking spice forward. PALATE: Largely mirrors the nose – Sweet citrus fruits & baking spices-forward, herbal & oak/barrel notes, earthy/muskiness, robust black pepper, anise, & oak tannins on the finish that temper the natural sweetness. FINISH: 9-10 seconds ”

C. A. rated 201d ago

Teremana Tequila Añejo

74 SCORE

“COLOR: Gold AROMA PROFILE: Initially strong ethanol, though this dissipates – Led by a boozy vanilla cream soda, cooked agave emerges after aeration, light caramel, orange-chocolate, cherries, light black pepper, baking spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, light cloves), floral notes, light herbal notes, & a hint of citrus. PALATE: BLUF – a not unpleasant boozy vanilla cream soda with some cooked agave notes mixed in – Prominent ethanol followed by sweet boozy vanilla cream soda mixed with cooked agave/baking spices (from the nose), caramel/butterscotch, black pepper, herbal/vegetal/grassy note akin to a jalapeño pepper (mesocarp, not the seeds), & anise. FINISH: 5-6 seconds MOUTHFEEL/VISCOSITY: Medium-long viscosity in the glass & a medium mouthfeel. VALUE:  This doesn’t taste “bad” – it just doesn’t taste like a great tequila (for my palate).  It’s an easy drinker and works decently in cocktails.  I’m able to enjoy this with family and friends who don’t really like tequilas with more traditional profiles, which is nice. ”

C. A. rated 261d ago

El Tequileño Platino Blanco

93 SCORE

“The lot under review is PLX03-090224 and was bottled on April 9, 2024.  This review is based on multiple spaced out tastings using Riedel Tequila Flute and Denver & Liely Mezcal glasses. COLOR: Crystal clear with shards of silver in the light AROMA PROFILE: Lovely, alluring, soft aroma profile – Sweet cooked agave & baking spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, anise), light white & black pepper, citrusy fruit, citrus & citrus peel (lime & tropical citrus like pineapple), delicate floral notes, Honeydew Melon & light honeyed fruits, minerality, herbal/grassy/vegetal notes, & light vanilla mixed with fruit. PALATE: Cooked agave & baking spices (anise, cinnamon, & nutmeg) followed by a hit of black pepper, minerality, vanilla, herbal/grassy/vegetal notes, citrus (lime) & citrus peel, Honeydew Melon & tropical fruits. The finish includes a bit of anise bitterness mixed with the agave, fruit, & citrus – Cooked agave/fruity, spiced, mineral-forward, & floral flavor profile – I think this would be a great blanco to introduce people who think they don’t like blanco tequilas to because it has a lighter, more mellow, & fruity profile with a kick of spice & black pepper to balance out the sweetness. MOUTHFEEL: Medium viscosity FINISH: 8-10 seconds ”