Gran Centenario Reposado Tequila

Rating: 12/23 My prior experience with this was less favorable due to the French oak's similarity to the musty paper scent of another spirit. Let's see if time and adjusted expectations have altered my perception. Nose: The initial aroma is that of musty, mildewed paper. It also carries subtle herbal and mineral notes. I detect a faint hint of kaffir lime leaf and perhaps some cooked agave. The overall aroma lacks fullness, richness, and complexity. Not a remarkable nose. Palate: It's smooth with a slight white pepper prickliness that masks some light lemon, allspice, and cinnamon. However, the dominant characteristic is that musty flavor. It has a slightly oily texture, but mostly the oil releases some bitterness. It's certainly not sweet, rich, or full. Complexity is also lacking. Now that I'm perceiving some spice, I appreciate it more than before, but this still isn't a drink I would seek out. The minerality, light spiciness, and musty wood bear a resemblance to bourbon, but not in a particularly appealing way. Finish: A subtle hint of kaffir lime finally appears on the finish, though a musty residue persists. Some subdued woody spices emerge intermittently, but they are not abundant and fade well before the mustiness. Unfortunately, some bitterness and minerality linger for a considerable time. I can tolerate drinking this, and I might prefer it slightly over another specific Anejo, but they are comparable. Both possess unusual qualities that I don't particularly enjoy. There are minimal notes reminiscent of agave or tequila, and it serves neither as an excellent sipper nor a boldly flavored representation of the spirit that can be easily masked in a cocktail. I wouldn't purchase another bottle, but I don't entirely dislike it and it is slowly growing on me. I think a rating of 12 is appropriate for now, though I could see myself giving it a 13 later.

I purchased this based on a recommendation from a colleague. He is as passionate about Tequila as I am about Bourbon. I must admit, tequila is the spirit I have the least experience with. I've sampled numerous whiskeys, rums, gins, and vodkas, but only a handful of tequilas. I genuinely enjoy this tequila. It has a gentle aroma and is somewhat sweet, perhaps resembling light brown sugar or a very light, unflavored taffy, but sweet nonetheless. The taste is where it truly impressed me. It's light, sweet, and mellow, with a hint of earthiness to provide balance. This flavor profile persists for a considerable duration, gradually fading with the sweetness and earthiness being the last notes to disappear. I like it. I've made a drink or two with this, and while the standard Margarita is outstanding, I prefer to sip it neat. Lastly, I am also very fond of the bottle's design. This is a tequila I will keep stocked at my bar going forward.

Tasted neat. Quite smooth, with a slight ethanol kick to liven it up. The nose has fruit, sweetness, vanilla, oak, agave, and pepper notes. Very appealing. The taste is crisp, candy-like, with some raw agave, vanilla, and a hint of cinnamon spice, leading to black pepper. The finish is dry and sweet with agave, artificial sweetener, and oak. I wouldn't describe it as rich as the distillery's review suggests. It's definitely sweet, bordering on too sweet, but it doesn't feel heavy. The extra aging provides vanilla and spice, balancing the overly sweet blanco. I usually prefer the blanco versions, but I'd opt for this reposado for its better balance.

This has a significant amount of that unpleasant papery taste that marred the San Matias Legado Blanco, although the balance here is much better, with some faint citrus and generally decent tequila characteristics. I'm not a huge fan, but it lacks the extreme bitter rancidity of the Legado. I could see using this for mixing or sipping, but only just. I'd prefer something else. Looking at it and its odd, deteriorating cork, I can't help but wonder if the cork might have affected my bottle, as its profile is nothing like the description provided. No fruit, hardly any smoke, and very little flavor.

After experiencing the exceptional quality of another spirit, I was prepared to dislike this one. The initial sip brought a potent burn that reached all the way down. I was ready to dismiss it. However, after allowing it to breathe and trying it again, I found it to be more interesting, though still not as smooth as the aforementioned spirit (likely surpassed only by a very high-end option). It has subtle smoke and wood on the nose, with a hint of sweetness upon first taste before the heat and spice emerge. It's still a bit too harsh for me to repurchase, but it's definitely worth exploring for dedicated tequila enthusiasts.

Typical nose with agave and green cucumber. Notable alcohol, but well integrated. Mineral notes, slightly bitter. A hint of acetone in the background. Moderately complex aroma. The nose is replicated on the palate. Very refined and tasty agave, with spicy, herbal, and medicinal notes, all well-balanced. A surprisingly sweet aftertaste, with notes of vanilla and cherry. The finish is moderate to long, but not overpowering.