El Padrino De Mi Tierra Blanco

I enjoyed the añejo, so I anticipated this would be quite good. Unfortunately, I can't imagine a scenario where I'd purchase this. It's not very good, and the price is too high to justify using it as a budget mixer that gets masked in a cocktail. The aroma, to the extent it has character, is bitter, slightly herbal, and rubbery. It has significantly less going on than Partida Blanco (in terms of presence, this compares to Partida as Partida compares to Fortaleza). It smells more than most vodkas, but if a vodka smelled like this, I'd be worried. There's no real complexity. The palate is somewhat sweet, somewhat bitter, and somewhat rubbery. It becomes more bitter and rubbery as you drink it, and it never develops complexity. With some effort, there's stewed agave, perhaps a faint hint of banana, and some lemon and lime, but there's not much substance. I'm not enjoying this much, but not intensely so. It seems like a 10 at best, likely not worse than a 7. It just tastes rather artificial and unpleasant, and the pleasant sweetness and stewed agave fade as the palate progresses. The finish has little to offer, but there's bitter rubber for a while with a hint of agave. I'm not impressed. A small amount of citrus remains, but not in a pleasant way. I'm leaning towards a 7 due to the consistent lack of flavor and complexity, combined with the alcohol and rubber. The disappointing finish is what really dropped it from an 8.

We've reached the last tequila in the El Padrino set I decided to sample (Yes, I realize they offer many more. But I'm not really fond of any flavored... beverages, really. Or "cristalino" tequilas). Since I generally prefer sweet liquors, Blancos are typically not my first choice. However, I'll maintain an open mind, and at worst, I can use this bottle in cocktails for get-togethers. Unlike the sweet and salty scent of the reposado and anejo, this blanco lacks that sweetness and instead starts with a salty, briny sea water aroma. There's a hint of spicy peppercorn and just the faintest touch of sweet tangerine present. Naturally, these elements are supported by agave, which is standard for blancos. An unexpectedly sweet palate. I truly didn't anticipate soft caramel to be the initial taste. There's plenty of agave here, but as the flavor develops, so does the spice. Cinnamon and pepper create a tingling sensation on the tongue. This tequila has a peculiar powdery texture between the taste and the finish. The finish remains spicy and dry. Agave, hay, and pepper are the primary notes, and that's essentially it. The finish isn't very complex, but I didn't expect it to be from a blanco. You know what? I don't dislike it. The palate offers a surprisingly sweet profile that I don't often encounter in blancos. I think I'll keep it in my regular rotation as it's perfectly fine to drink straight and would undoubtedly make a great mixed drink.

Rating: 10/23 This is a significant letdown considering the quality of the añejo. It's similar to how with a certain brand, there's a massive quality difference where the añejo adds all the missing flavor and depth. The main notes here are banana and sharp alcohol. It's not awful, but it's far from what I'd select for sipping first. Nevertheless, it doesn't have a lot of flavor (even the banana isn't very pronounced), so it seems like an excellent choice for mixing without being overly noticeable. The aroma is very subtle, with alcohol and only a few hints of cooked agave, plus a faint suggestion of banana. The taste is similarly on the alcohol side, with not a substantial amount of herbal, toasted, or sweet cooked agave coming through. It's smooth initially, with some spice in the finish. It leans slightly bitter towards the end, and while there's definitely a mineral component, it mostly tastes like nothing and a bit of alcohol. There's a faint hint of tropical fruit – banana at first, then mango and pineapple. However, the flavor is extremely light overall. It isn't bad, but it's very underwhelming. It does bear a strong resemblance to a certain Blanco. Less than a 12, but more than an 8. There's certainly a bit of smoke present, though it's mixed with earth, making the exact proportion hard to determine. It's slightly on the viscous side, but not excessively so.

Drunk neat. The nose is full of sweet, fruity agave alongside earthy, salty notes. The mouthfeel is quite rich with flavors of intense cooked agave, fruitiness, subtle herbs like cilantro and anise, a touch of cinnamon and peppercorn. The finish is moderate with some herbal bitterness, black pepper, and sweetness. Overall, very smooth and quite pleasant without any off-putting elements. It might not appeal to purists, but this could persuade 'tequila skeptics' to reconsider the spirit. Some additions are present, but they seem less pronounced than in their aged versions. My top pick from the line. Worth purchasing when it's on discount (which happens quite frequently).

An elegant agave spirit from NOM 1438 in Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico, made with 100% Tequilana Weber and local volcanic spring water, double distilled in copper pot stills after fermentation. It presents an aromatic beginning with notes of agave, fruits, flowers, vegetables, herbs, and spice; the palate introduces banana, leading to a complex, medium-length finish with a hint of cinnamon. February 2018 / 2019 / May 2022

Smells of agave, pepper, and a touch of citrus. The taste is pepper and agave, with an unidentified note similar to bell peppers but less sweet. It has a smooth texture and very little burn at the end. Overall, I enjoy it; it would be suitable for mixing or as a decent, though not special, sipper.