Familia Camarena Reposado Tequila

Rating: 9/23 Nose: Dry and somewhat thin, with a hint of bitterness that leans slightly towards ethanol. Fleeting notes of cooked agave, pepper, and herbaceous character. Very subtle hints of mint. Palate: An immediate sharpness, with limited flavor, followed by light sweetness of cooked agave, hints of mint, and a strong peppery note. Traces of vanilla, more prominent than the mint. Possibly very faint yuzu. There's clean water with a slightly off, faint vegetal taste. Finish: Light, persistent pepper and warmth. Suggests agave sweetness. Actually, a bit more than that. Definitely pepper and very faint yuzu. - Conclusion - This is not very good. While there are no standout elements, it's light and has an excessive alcohol presence without being particularly engaging. This reposado unfortunately falls into the category of an uninteresting middle ground, lacking the appeal of the blanco. I'm uncertain if a rating of 9 is appropriate. It's definitely not an 8, nor is it a 12. I'm considering a 10, but it should rank below Camarena Silver (10/23). However, the burn is a bit too intense. This has a stronger burn than the blanco, but its flavor is more accessible. I think it will remain a 9.

The nose is powerfully smooth with abundant vanilla and sweetness. A subtle amount of agave is present; if I were told this was a flavored tequila, I'd believe it based on the aroma alone. Salt is the initial flavor on the palate, followed by agave and a touch of wood, then a stronger wave of salt and agave in the finish. It exhibits less barrel influence than expected for a reposado, but considering the unaged spirit, the agave notes are above average, making it good for sipping and an excellent, easy choice for margaritas.

The aroma presents subtle hints of vanilla and cinnamon alongside the much more prominent scents of agave and oak cask. On the palate, the tequila begins slightly sweet with a distinct agave taste and a sweet vanilla flavor. The taste profile evolves into the wood of the cask, leading to a bitter finish. Good, though not outstanding, it should serve as a decent foundation for mixed drinks.

A good tequila for its cost, and a respectable entry-level reposado. There's a slight alcohol sharpness initially, which quickly gives way to a pleasant toasted agave flavor, accented by a hint of cinnamon spice. This reposado performs well above its price point.

3.5 I acquired this for use in frozen margarita machines at a chili cookoff. I first tried a neat shot to assess its quality. Incredible! I had two more neat shots before I started mixing.

As a bourbon drinker, I find this tequila to be a good introduction. It offers the smokiness characteristic of tequila, with a subtle sweetness from the barrel.