Vanessa A. rated 147d ago

Montagave Blanco Las Rocas

91 SCORE

“Lighter on the nose, some wet stones, herbal agave Lovely palate, honeyed citrus sweetness, white pepper, thyme, grapefruit zest Good pour, for 60 dollars the value is excellent”

Vanessa A. rated 166d ago

Siete Leguas Reposado

90 SCORE

“I come back to every bottle twice before I review, every time after my palate adjusts, I can better understand the nuances in each product, in this case, the distinct vanilla and cinnamon was so inciting I could tell the next pour would be really good. The nose is barrel char, herbal incense, agave is a tad faint. The palate is where it shines, first nip is sweet, roasted agave, prominent cinnamon and vanilla, sweet oak. Smoky, almost smoldering thyme, salted caramel and mineral finish. Value is good, I would pay 50 bucks for this bottle again, they are doing things right at siete leguas and I will buy more of their products in the future, lovely pour ”

Vanessa A. rated 185d ago

Ocho Tequila Añejo

92 SCORE

“Nose is very nice, agave forward, wet earth, petrichor (that smell right after rain), garden herbs, basil, unripe guavas. Palate is great, irresistible full bodied flavors of cooked agave, caramel, amazing fresh guava, herbacious with sage, thyme. Juicy red apple, olive brine. Satisfying finish of fresh earthy minerality. For around 75 dollars the value is great. Lovely pour as expected from ocho, I grow to love what this brand does more and more every sip! ”

Vanessa A. rated 186d ago

Cazcanes No. 7 Extra Añejo

95 SCORE

“Delicious fragrant nose, dark chocolate, caramel, baked goods, plums, dried dark fruit. Palate is bursting with mouthwatering decadence, sweet, mature agave sets the portrait for big flavors of caramel, flaky and buttery baked dough pastries. fruitcake, well spiced apple pie, dried dark fruit, sugar plum, dark chocolate, creamy velvety mouthfeel. Soft finish of vibrant agave and buttered honey, vanilla. A truly special bottle worth the price tag, I got it for 165 in Mexico, usually it’s 200 in the states, this is fair for such a masterclass in extra anejo production, my guests raved over it as well. ”

Vanessa A. rated 187d ago

Fortaleza Blanco

95 SCORE

“Aroma is complex, herbal agave, thyme, basil, butter, wet earth. This is virtually as good as a blanco expression can taste, beautiful palate. Cooked agave forward, olive oil, ripe green olives, sage, vegetal garden herbs. Good viscosity, creamy mineral and young spice finish. Value is excellent, if you can find this bottle for retail for 50-70 dollars absolutely pick it up for a special blanco. Fortaleza lives up to the hype, excited to try their more aged expressions ”

Vanessa A. rated 194d ago

Arette Gran Clase Extra Añejo

87 SCORE

“On the nose you get caramelized agave, bolstered by oak, faint tropical fruit funk, overripe bananas, pineapple, dates. The agave does take a knee and is less forward, but the cask has given it a rich disposition. Warm toffee and dark chocolate, cinnamon, toasty oak. Very enjoyable and full bodied. This is a great benchmark for what a good extra anejo should be, but it could be better, I’d like more proof to see the full potential of this product. For an 80 proof product, this has a lot of flavor, as for value I don’t know what the retail price is, I got mine for 116 at the Elk Grove Costco, usually it’s around 180, I wouldn’t pay that much, but if 116 is the retail this is good value. ”

Vanessa A. rated 196d ago

Ocho Tequila Añejo

89 SCORE

“ I am reviewing the single barrel tierras negras anejo, but there was no option for that one so I’m putting it here. Delicious nose, signature ocho agave forward, with minerality, olive, wet stones, dried dark fruit such as raisins and cherries. Phenomenal palate, prominent savory cooked agave, raisin nougat, vanilla, tobacco, baking spices, buttery pleasing mouthfeel. Finish is long as expected for a 108 proof, as the sip ends it develops into dark chocolate, smooth oak, mineral complexity. 100 dollars for this bottle is standard in the states, which is fair enough value, I got it for 65 in Mexico which is a steal. ”

Vanessa A. rated 199d ago

Mijenta Tequila Reposado

76 SCORE

“Nose is sweet, candied citrus, vanilla, oak, wildflowers, butterscotch. Strangely I don’t get much agave, it’s been sort of hidden. On the palate viscosity is on the thin side, wildflower honey, brandied orange, strong, overpowering, offputting oak and its notes of vanilla and caramel. The agave is almost totally absent. It’s getting closer to more of an oaky orange brandy than tequila. For my own tastes, the agave is overburdened by the cask, but the easy drinking and sweetness in the floral and sugary candy notes may be appealing to some, it’s just an unbalanced pour, maybe I got a bad batch. Value is low, I got mine for $50, but usually it is $60 or even up to $80, that is pretty bad value for an unbalanced product”

Vanessa A. rated 202d ago

Tapatio Añejo

91 SCORE

“Nose isn’t the strongest, but after letting it rest it opens into intriguing citrus, pepper (I want to say white pepper?), sweet/savory cooked agave, faint sweet oak and vanilla influence from those bourbon barrels. On the palate agave is very present, with mellow but prominent oak and vanilla, caramel, a distinct cinnamon, roasted nuts, spiced and buttered honey. More milky notes end the sip, crème brûlée, white pepper. The finish’s length leaves more to be desired, but it is satiably long for an 80 proof product. 60 dollars for this bottle is phenomenal value”