1800 Reposado Tequila

The aroma is somewhat murky, similar to the blanco, but with more squash and smoky wood replacing some of the lime notes in the vegetal mush. This presents a richer flavor profile with more wood and earth, showing its increased age. Hints of bright lemon rind and some salt emerge, and a gentle spiciness numbs the tongue. There's not a huge amount happening here, but the citrus is a welcome improvement over the blanco, and I appreciate the added bitterness, especially when paired with the citrus. This lacks the oiliness and complexity of Herradura Reposado and has some more flavor flaws. This is truly an interior drink. Just right across the board, this is uninteresting and bad. Being better than the blanco is a low, low bar and somehow this is still closer to the blanco than to most other drinks in quality. The gross bread melds with the wet wood and Earth, so maybe that's something. Beyond that, most of the flavors get trampled. Lunazul Blanco is clearly more complex and tasty by a substantial margin, though not so great a margin as Herradura Reposado. Sauza Blue has some similar qualities, though it is much fruitier. The gross bread here is awful though, so the Sauza is clearly superior. Still, this is quite a step up over the blanco. There's decent sweetness here, though the bitterness is stronger. There's definitely plenty of spice. It's viscous, though not so much as the blanco. It's not as sweet and fruity either. The gross bread makes its way out and really messes things up. I'm not a fan. I'm so glad that this isn't as bad as the blanco, but it's still pretty bad. There's some interesting citrus, though it reminds me a bit of goo gone. To be blunt, the caramel, vanilla, and orange zest are just nowhere near enough to salvage this train wreck. Maybe this is Stockholm syndrome (like Hitler, which I mentioned in my review of the blanco, Stockholm syndrome is not a good topic to have come up in a review), but I think Clan MacGregor is quite better than this. This just is not actually all that much better than the blanco. On the initial taste, the Blanco actually even has more life (though the flavor here is better for sure).

In honor of National Margarita Day, I prepared a couple of Margaritas this evening and contemplated the tequila. I generally prefer silver tequila for its brighter taste in my Margaritas, but I had this on hand and decided to evaluate it with my 'refined' palate. It's surprisingly enjoyable. In the glass, it presents a pale golden straw hue and exhibits rapid, thin legs. (Yes, I poured tequila into a Glencairn!) It has only been aged for approximately 6 to 14 months, after all. The nose offers a slight resemblance to whiskey. There are sweet vanilla and floral notes, a hint of citrus, and just a whisper of smoke. It's certainly more complex than I anticipated for a tequila. The palate is subtly sweet with a touch of peppery spice. However, this is tequila, not whiskey, and the agave flavor clearly asserts itself over the other notes. The finish is brief, with another hint of smoke. Considering this is the first tequila I've formally 'tasted,' I'm quite impressed. It won't replace whiskey, but it might be worth keeping for occasional variety.

I'm not usually a big fan of tequila, so take my opinion with a grain of salt (and lime). When I was a child, I used to mess with the Japanese beetles on my mom's rose bush. I call it 'messing,' but I actually tormented the poor insects. I regret that now. This tequila has the exact aroma of those beetles. It's quite striking. This isn't necessarily a negative, though. The scent, while clearly insect-like, is also earthy and sweet. There's a black pepper note too, that nearly overwhelms the drink while simultaneously redeeming it. The flavor brings to mind self-disdain, though not necessarily in a bad way. Maybe I should explore more tequila. It definitely has character. If you enjoy the smell of bugs, this might be for you! Otherwise, it might be better to enjoy this spirit in a well-made margarita with lots of lime and sugar. ¡Ay ay chico chico enfermo borracho!

This is undoubtedly the quintessential tequila for National Tequila Day. It's reasonably priced and readily available. It possesses a distinct tequila flavor and nothing more; it's neither excessively sweet nor overly intricate. There's an aroma I can't quite identify. The finish has a slight barrel influence that isn't entirely to my preference, but it's far superior to the smoky, somewhat unpleasant overtone found in some Reposados (like Casamigos, etc.). For mixing Reposado in margaritas or similar drinks, I'll choose Lunazul. For sipping or a simple lime-based cocktail, I'll opt for 1800. I can almost picture a famous actor giving the bartender a sideways glance! Haha.

Nose is very savory: olive brine, lemon juice, and melted butter. The entry is thin, with peppery lemon and just a hint of fruit, carried on something green. There isn't much of a finish to speak of; everything just dissolves abruptly, leaving behind a trace of salt. It gets a half star for personality, but I really don't care for this stuff personally.

A bit lacking in character. It starts with oaky and buttery notes, followed by a touch of saltiness. It doesn't quite meet expectations but isn't bad. I acquired a fifth for just over $24 on sale with a coupon. I wouldn't choose it over other reposados in this price range; Corralejo and Teremana are significantly better.