Casa Noble Single Barrel Extra Añejo Tequila

I had the chance to browse the "Vault" at ABC liquors. Nothing particularly captivating caught my eye. There were some bottles from well-known producers, and the usual assortment of similar products. All of those are acceptable at their suggested retail prices, but truthfully, who is concerned? I desired something distinct, so I picked this tequila. I've sampled it a few times from the bottle, so it's not a first pour, but it has only been open since yesterday. The pour is a lovely light walnut hue. There's significant sheeting and slow, large droplets returning to the glass. It has a nice viscosity. The aroma is rather subtle. The typical agave cactus note is present, but not overpowering. There's just a whisper of oak and some sweet vanilla. The nose isn't intense or immediately intricate. It is sweet, vegetal, savory, and delicate. On the palate, this transforms into a tequila perfectly suited for whiskey enthusiasts. The barrel influences are pronounced. Wet wood, vanilla, caramel, dark chocolate, coconut, cloves, black pepper, and ginger are all built upon a base of agave. The tequila is present, but this is far more than just that. Wow. This is incredibly rich. I would be very interested in comparing this directly with Don Julio 1942. I believe this is a strong contender. It's not as sweet as Clase Azul or Casamigos anejo, but it is every bit as intricate in taste and flavor profile. This is an exceptional sipper. My rating system is quite straightforward, with 1 being undrinkable and 5 being a flawless example of the expression. In my estimation, anything above a 4 is remarkable, and truly perfect scores are exceedingly rare, regardless of the source. This tequila comes very close to the pinnacle. I find the finish to be just a bit too brief, the alcohol content a little low, and the aroma a touch too reserved for a perfect score. Nevertheless, it earns a 4.5. This is a superb spirit.

This is the 2018 single barrel offering from Total Wine. Shows a very pale copper hue. The aroma presents an exceptionally pleasant sweet honey, vanilla, slightly floral, and earthy scent. The taste is much less sweet and subdued than the nose suggested, leaning more towards earthy/woody notes. The texture is smooth and quite full without much alcohol sting. While this is a mellow and easy-drinking extra anejo, I had anticipated something more intense, particularly given its cost and scarcity. 3.82.

A full-bodied Agave Spirit from NOM 1137. It begins aromatically with agave, wood, and nuts. Its mature profile introduces copper, caramel, and coconut, culminating in a balanced finish with a hint of oak. April 2016 / April 2017 / March 2018

Second tasting notes. Opened on 02/01/2020. This was tasted on 08/28/2021. It has certainly evolved since opening. Considerably better now. Excellent!

Wonderfully Smooth, initially presenting vanilla sweetness, then finishing smoothly with just a trace of cayenne. Among the finest I've experienced!

Bottle opened 2/1/2020. This was tasted on 3/26/2021. I'm not a tequila expert, but this is very good!