818 Tequila Blanco

The 818 Tequila Blanco entered the market amidst significant controversy. I attempted to taste this without any preconceived notions. Initially, the aroma presented hints of raw agave, followed by notes of lemon zest, black pepper, and vanilla. Some herbal scents were also detected. The palate's flavors were quite different from the aromas, offering a surprisingly buttery texture with tastes of ripe oranges, vanilla, medicinal undertones, a touch of smoke, and glimpses of both raw and cooked agave. For devoted tequila enthusiasts, 818 might not be the ideal selection, but from an objective standpoint, it's slightly better than average.

An elegant Agave Spirit from NOM 1137. It begins with an aromatic bouquet of agave, citrus, herbs, and spices; its rich development introduces notes of cooked agave, green bell pepper, and lime; culminating in a slightly creamy and spicy finish of moderate duration with hints of black pepper, sea spray, and metal. April 2016 / April 2017 / February 2019 / December 2021 / May 2022

A sophisticated Agave Spirit from NOM 1607. It begins with an aromatic profile featuring agave, fruits, nuts, herbs, and spices. Its rich and complex development introduces notes of caramel, grapefruit, melon, grass, lemon peel, and pear, culminating in a medium-length herbal finish with hints of oak, pepper, almonds, clove, and coriander.

The nose offered standard agave notes with a hint of smoke. The palate, however, was intensely sweet, featuring agave and vanilla. A faint plastic sweetness lingered in the finish.

A decent tequila for its mid-range cost. It has a pleasant agave taste. I think this works better in cocktails than sipped neat.

I detect artificial vanilla & sharpie on the nose. The taste is not much better, in my view.