Espolòn Blanco Tequila

This is the renowned Blanco tequila that everyone has either missed or acknowledged as just decent. My perspective is that this is a very intriguing spirit. I typically drink scotch, so any change of pace could be interesting, but I taste green tomatoes and green figs upfront. That pleasantness then gives way to some bitterness and watery vine notes, but the fruit's sweetness never completely fades. This is an impressive, deep spirit, and while not my usual selection, it's a great success. Green tomatoes and green figs are easily identifiable. There isn't an overwhelming amount of spice present. It tastes like a vegetable garden with some smoky tomato mixed in for vibrancy. Regarding tequilas, this isn't a challenging one, as there's umami from the smoky tomatoes topped with ample sweetness, vaguely resembling ketchup. Bitterness, saltiness, tartness. It covers a range of flavors except for oiliness. Much like Oban 14, this is terrific in certain situations but overly sweet in others. It's inexpensive, however, making it a reliable mixer. Oban 14 offers more fruit, floral notes, and alcohol, which elevates it in some contexts but lowers it in others. Overall, it's a fair comparison, but Oban 14 is noticeably superior. Espolon's balance is good, but the flavor is quite subdued. Sweet, vegetal, slightly smoky. It has a hint of a spicy kick, but not excessive. It's quite rich and flavorful with sufficient complexity. There's an unusual cereal note here that combines with green figs for a refreshing character. It possesses some minerality and is somewhat mild, but it's smooth and not bad. While not extremely complex, it does offer several flavors. Being on the sweeter side is pleasant, especially since it doesn't taste like icing sugar at all. There's some pleasant smokiness that blends with herbal notes. Cabeza is a more potent expression, but this is still quite good. There's a lot of minerality present, and it's not excessively strong. In fact, it's quite weak and bland. Some tomato flavor is there, but not much else is happening. El Tesoro is richer and more engaging, though it can sometimes just taste bitter. This is a perfectly fine tequila, ideal for mixing – in fact, it would make an excellent mixer – but its prominent minerality makes it less suitable for sipping. There's some umami, and of course, it's somewhat sweet, with the usual mild floral notes mixed with herbal elements and some smoke. Ultimately, it has many flavors, but they struggle to be evident, positioning it more as a mixer than a sipper. I appreciate the absence of bitterness on the finish, but that's insufficient to make it a pleasant sipper. There are more minerals than I prefer, but there's some nice sweetness and fruitiness with an interesting tomato flavor. The finish has plenty of fruit and tomato, which is quite enjoyable. The umami gradually becomes more apparent, which is a significant help.

Crafted from 100% pure agave, which is ideal for tequila. It's perfectly clear with significant viscosity. The nose presents clear agave notes alongside other fruits, possibly pear or melon, and strangely, soap. Intriguing! Perhaps it's the glassware. The palate also shows agave. It's smooth with a slight, welcome warmth. The agave lingers, and it's remarkably smooth. Overall, this is an excellent value blanco tequila for your margaritas and palomas. It's also fantastic chilled for shots. However, don't just freeze the bottle and pour. I prefer to shake it well with ice, then strain it into a glass for slight dilution and extreme coldness. Yes! Will I sip this? Likely not. For sipping, I prefer a smoky, aged tequila. But for shots and cocktails requiring blanco tequila, I strongly endorse this bottle.

Considering the $20-25 price tag, it's difficult not to consider this tequila an excellent buy. It performs well in mixed drinks and is a solid option for a bar's standard blanco offering. The aroma is quite simple and light, featuring earthy notes. The palate is a little thin, with sweetness, pepper, and a slightly oily texture. The finish is reminiscent of a smooth vodka, carrying some spice and a hint of warmth. I wouldn't particularly suggest drinking it straight, but it's not bad, and for the cost, you could do far worse. I'd rate it between 2.5 and 3 neat, but I've bumped it up to 3.5 because of the price and its utility in cocktails.

Uninspiring, This tequila has an alcohol aroma and little else. On the palate, I detect some cleaning product notes along with the agave. The texture is also unpleasantly oily. I use this tequila for mixing, and it performs adequately. In margaritas, the orange liqueur and lime are prominent, and it works. It's a safe option for margaritas, but it's entirely uninteresting and requires mixing. You can likely find superior options for the same price.

I was seeking an inexpensive tequila for mixing and this caught my attention. I don't usually opt for blanco tequila, preferring reposado for cocktails, but I gave in. It has a noticeable smoked agave scent for a clear spirit, with hints of sea salt and oak. Absolutely no ethanol present. Smoky and sweet, with floral and even a subtle vegetal quality, but again, no ethanol. Amazing. For the approximately $20 I paid, I anticipated much less. While it's not an añejo or mezcal, it successfully preserves the smoke and agave character. Deceptive.

An intense Agave Spirit from Campari Mexico, S.A. de C.V. [NOM1440] in Jalisco (Los Altos Southern), Mexico, produced in an Autoclave. It has an aromatic start with notes of cooked agave, earth, fruit, herbs & spices; while a harsh process adds notes of citrus, vanilla & grass, leading to an intense medium-length finish with notes of pepper, cinnamon & solvent. February 2024