Maestro Dobel Diamante Tequila

I grabbed this on a whim while getting more essentials. I bought a small selection of plata tequilas to experiment with Tequila Martinis. Mixing two parts tequila with one part bianco or blanc vermouth and a couple dashes of bitters creates a very good cocktail. Garnish with a lime medallion, lemon twist, olive, or my preferred big, fat caper. The Tequila Martini is straightforward yet intricate and potent. This bottle of clear reposado was on sale for $19.99, and the cashier highly recommended it. How could I resist? Tasting notes from a neat pour in a grappa copita. The nose is quite subdued, featuring prominent vanilla, faint cactus/agave notes, powdered sugar, and alcohol. Frankly, it's not bad, but it's also not particularly captivating. On the palate, it's a sweet vanilla bomb with extremely light vegetal notes in the background. A professional reviewer accurately compared it to Good & Plenty candy, which I definitely get. 'Reticent' barely describes this profile; it's downright limp. It's incredibly easy to drink, dull as can be, and obsequious in a way that would make a bottle of Casamigos jealous. To put it plainly, this tastes 'good' in the sense that it's pleasant and lacks any offensive aroma, taste, or texture. There's nothing objectionable about it, but it's not the right tequila for a cocktail, especially one that highlights the spirit as intensely as a Tequila Martini. And that's the issue, really. In my opinion, this is a tequila for people who dislike tequila. It has lost its essence, leaving nothing to work with. I'll pass on adding another to my collection.

After reviewing, I realized this was a reposado, not a blanco, which explains a lot. Makes sense now. So, I'm unsure how to rate this. I know how I would rate it based on tasting some of the top Blancos available before trying this one, but I also need to consider that others apparently enjoy this tequila for its qualities. Firstly, this blanco offers a respectable aroma. It doesn't have the incredible vegetal scent that some others do, but it's decent. I also don't detect any artificial additives, unlike some other brands. So, I'll describe the aroma as fair and unremarkable. Next, the taste is quite bland, in my opinion. There's no harshness, but it also lacks any distinctive character that would make its flavor unique. It's rather odd. If you were to triple distill and filter a tequila extensively, this is what you'd get. The finish. Frankly, there's hardly any finish; it goes down like water. This is good if you're looking for a way to do shots with a group of people who make that grimacing face when taking shots of cheaper tequila, because you won't see those expressions with this. Therefore, giving this a low rating would be unfair because it serves a purpose, but giving it a high rating for its clean smoothness would also be inaccurate. So, I have to take a middle-ground approach. I was advised to try this by some young individuals at the bar where I was having lunch today. They began their Friday with a double vodka and Red Bull and a pickleback shot at noon. I was a bit envious, but I was working, and I'm about half their age, so there's that, I suppose. Regardless, I don't mind spending $50 on this bottle to try it. At least I'll have a good option for shots at the next gathering. 9/9/22

This spirit is complex, with notes of cooked agave, fruit, florals, wood, and spices on the nose. The palate is full and intricate, revealing hints of citrus, cantaloupe, apples, lemongrass, white chocolate, vanilla, and oak. It concludes with a long, spicy finish marked by pepper and cinnamon. August 2022

A complex agave spirit from NOM 1122; recognized as the world's first crystal clear multi-aged Tequila, created by a prominent distiller for La Rojeña Distillery. It's a mix of Reposado, Añejo, and Extra Añejo Tequilas, all derived from 100% blue agave from a single estate in Jalisco, Mexico, and aged in European white oak casks for one, two, and three years respectively, then filtered to remove color. The aroma presents cooked agave, fruit, flowers, wood, herbs, and spices, while the full and complex palate adds notes of citrus, cantaloupe, apples, lemongrass, white chocolate, and oak, leading to a long, rich, and elegant finish with notes of butterscotch, sugar, and pepper. December 2021. A bit more crisp, delicate, and elegant than previously experienced. March 2025.

Maestro Dobel Diamante Blended Barrel Select [Ranch: La Mesa / Blending Code: 8020-419 / Hungarian oak barrel # 8457 / Bottle # 118 / May 2022 release] is a sophisticated 'Agave Spirit'; the world’s first crystal clear multi-aged Tequila; created by Maestro Tequilero Alejandro Wronado for La Rojeña Distillery. It's a combination of Reposado, Añejo & Extra Añejo Tequilas – all three made from 100% blue agave from a single estate in Jalisco, Mexico, and all three aged in European white oak casks for 1, 2 & 3 years respectively, then filtered to remove all color. It begins with an aromatic profile featuring notes of cooked agave, wood, herbs & spices; while a delicate yet complex journey leads to a dry & unbalanced finish of medium length. May 2023

Continuing my exploration of tequila, this is apparently the first "cristilano". Nose: Peppery agave and very floral, like a desert bloom. Palate: Sweet, with a slightly syrupy feel. Black pepper, anise, and cacao nib are present. Finish: Black licorice and faint coffee notes. It dissipates fairly quickly. It tastes wonderful, but it's a little too sweet and candy-like to have more than one serving. I would gladly choose a pour of this over dessert any day, though.