Cazadores Reposado Tequila

Evaluation: 10/23 I've heard Cazadores is an adequate mixer, not a top-tier one, so I hadn't tried it before. Having obtained a sample, I'm keen to determine if it offers good value. Aroma: Wow, the alcohol was detectable even as I was pouring. It's a clean alcohol scent that merges with mild agave, light wood, paper, lime peel, subtle brine, and a hint of spice. Honestly, not a bad aroma at all. Palate: The alcohol comes first, followed swiftly by the agave. There's a slight hot burn. Some light woody spices with faint white pepper. Minerality. Lime peel, a touch of brine. A little bit of paper too. There's artificial caramel present as well. This tastes manufactured and slightly off. I wish the flavor was more pronounced and the alcohol presence less intense, but this palate isn't bad, despite the slightly artificial character. It's not ideal for sipping, but it's fairly balanced with a decent amount going on; a bolder version could be an excellent mixer. Finish: Lingering wisps of alcohol with some bitterness (perhaps from the lime peel) and small amounts of agave offering a touch of sweetness. Occasional notes of white pepper. - Assessment - This is actually quite acceptable. There's definitely too much straightforward alcohol flavor, and the palate is mild enough that it would likely be overpowered in many drinks, but it seems suitable for something like a tequila martini. It's quite unobjectionable. Side-by-side, Fortaleza Blanco Still Strength 2019 (17/23) completely outshines this with its richer, fuller flavors and more subdued alcohol. Still, I would already be praising this if I thought it was going to be close to a 17. When compared directly, it's very apparent that something bitter and off is present. I don't have many tequilas open currently, so I'm switching to Evan Williams Single Barrel (12/23) for comparison. The Evan Williams is a bit fuller and more balanced than this. The more I taste this, the more the bitterness and alcohol become prominent. That said, I expect bourbon to be much bolder than reposado tequila initially, so the relatively small margin Evan Williams has over this in terms of boldness doesn't necessarily mean Evan Williams is better within its category. On the other hand, I don't feel I can construct such a flimsy argument for this possibly being superior to Buffalo Trace (13/23). Buffalo Trace is simply better than this. I can envision this being as low as a 10 or as high as a 12. The 10 seems a bit of a stretch, though. I was leaning towards a 12 for a while, but now I'm thinking closer to an 11. Eh, if I had to pick right now, I'd probably go with the 12. Revisiting this, the flavors aren't very well integrated, and there's an artificial quality to it. It's rather disappointing. A 12 is no longer a possibility, and a 10 - or even a 9 - is increasingly probable. Right now, I'm leaning towards a 10.

The aroma has that odd, chemical scent typical of mass-produced tequilas made with diffusers, though it's not overpowering. Earthy notes, an unidentifiable spice, a peculiar briny smell, and the faint leathery scent common in reposados are also present. It's not very appealing. Taste-wise, it offers agave, vanilla, caramel, mild oak and leather, and an artificial note. The finish is pleasant, with black pepper that lingers for about a minute. It's an acceptable, though not memorable, sipper, but it truly shines as a mixer. For a mixing tequila, the cost is outstanding. It's my usual budget choice for parties. You should consider it too.

This liquor is among the smoothest tequilas I've ever experienced. It has just the right amount of spicy warmth to be pleasant, and a profoundly earthy flavor makes it a joy to consume. It makes an excellent shot without a chaser and provides a warmth to mixed drinks that typical tequilas lack. I'm very happy I selected this tequila and will keep a bottle of it stocked from now on.

A bit sharp initially but mellows and smooths out, with tastes of pepper and wood chips leaving a faint citrus aftertaste. Suitable for sipping or mixing, but I personally think it would work better in a margarita or perhaps a sunrise.

Some people enjoy this, while others find it just okay. For me, it's a well drink. I can't describe the notes, but it doesn't overwhelm your palate, so you'll be fine with this. It's affordable enough to purchase.

Good value for the cost, but noticeably rougher than ideal for sipping. The approachable price point makes up for it. I typically mix this nowadays but likely won't repurchase.