Olmeca Altos Plata Tequila

Rating: 12/23 N: Pleasant savory, herbal, and vegetal aromas. Spice (white pepper) alongside some musty cardboard. A hint of mint. Faint orange peel. It has a touch of earthiness and a subtle smokiness mixed with that cooked agave savoriness. A meaty quality emerges as the glass sits, and I'm uncertain if it's cooked agave or low-quality distillate. Moving to the palate to discover. P: Not entirely what I anticipated. It's smooth and somewhat watery initially until some peppery sharpness appears. It really emphasizes the musty cardboard. Fresh ginger is also present. I detect some fruitiness, but it's not big, bold, tropical notes. Perhaps a little banana and apple. Vague herbal and vegetal notes form a foundation but don't impart richness or interest. There's a certain bitterness that might be lime peel. Some minerality with a faint brine quality. I'm somewhat disappointed with this palate. I feel there should be more complexity, and the taste should be more substantial. It's a bit jumbled, slightly sulfuric, and a little harsh. It would be acceptable in a cocktail, but I don't think I'd drink this neat. F: Musty cardboard, indistinct herbal and vegetal notes. A touch of minerality, but it's not an extremely light and thin finish. - Conclusion - Próspero Blanco seems superior to this initially. They share similar shortcomings, but Próspero has less focus on them and some pleasant tropical fruit flavors for balance. However, the alcohol is much more noticeable in the Próspero. I am quite certain that Tapatio Blanco and Partida Blanco are better than this, though. So for scoring, this appears to be in the 11 to 14 range. I'm leaning towards a 12. Thanks to a friend for the sample:)

Enjoying this straight from a freshly opened bottle. The aroma is vibrant and sharp, with hints of citrus, minerality, a touch of agave, and pepper. On a fresh bottle, there's also a pronounced herbal note of bitter tarragon that might be divisive (I personally liked it), but it mellows with aeration. The alcohol offers a slight minty sensation instead of a burn. The taste is incredibly smooth, with no burn whatsoever. Flavor-wise, it begins with mild agave and white sugar, followed by a pleasant fruity, floral, citrus, and herbal (tarragon?) profile, almost like gin but without the juniper. The finish has sweet black pepper. An overall mineral quality, not particularly salty, contributes to a soft mouthfeel and moderates the intensity. In summary, it's soft, smooth, balanced, with delicate, bright flavors. I could easily sip this bottle on ice by the pool all day. While the flavors might be lost in a mixed drink, it would be very smooth. A definite plus for value, as it surpasses several other blancos I've tried that cost at least twice as much.

Aroma: cooked agave, black and white pepper, mineral notes, clove, sautéed vegetables with an oily texture, vegetal earthiness, nutmeg, a hint of briny smoke, mint, grassy notes, lemon-lime citrus, and a noticeable ethanol burn. Flavor: sweet cooked agave, ginger, creamy vanilla, black pepper, citrus peel, rocky minerality, mint, nutmeg, clove, savory brine, fresh-cut grass, a mild to moderate alcohol presence, finishing medium length with vegetal, cooked agave, and ginger-citrus notes. This is a truly pleasant spirit and an outstanding value. It costs nearly half of what Patron Silver does, and I find its aroma and flavor profile to be more complex and engaging. I believe it surpasses Olmeca Altos Reposado slightly. It's a staple on my bar and has become my go-to tequila for cocktails, though it's perfectly acceptable for sipping neat, just not as rich and intricate as some of the highly regarded expressions from NOM 1579 and 1139, for instance.

This tequila presents a complex character, not all of which is favorable. It's generally quite sweet, followed by a sharp alcohol kick that quickly mellows towards the end, with pepper notes present throughout. I heard some of the individuals involved in its creation are from Kentucky. This might explain the subtle whiskey-like qualities that emerge. There appears to be considerable expertise behind this spirit. It certainly doesn't taste like a budget-tier bottle. There's a definite depth to it. I suspect that in the right cocktail, this liquor could truly excel. This tequila receives an overall rating of 2 stars. It's a commendable effort, but I feel it falls short of its potential. I believe better tequila options are available at this price point. As a side note, the bottle itself is attractive, but the stopper, which initially seems like a cork, is actually a screw-top, giving a slightly cheap impression.

Earthy, herbal, and fruity notes: Initially, this tequila has a profound earthy scent and flavor. It evokes the agave plant and the soil it grew in, possessing a very deep and dark character that I don't particularly care for. After the second taste, this initial impression fades, leaving only the lingering aftertaste of orange juice. I dislike the contrast between these two tastes; the initial earthy depth is eventually overwhelmed by the orange juice flavor, creating a peculiar combination. Considering its price, this tequila is adequate, offering some distinctive qualities. When used in a margarita, it imparts the orange juice taste I previously mentioned.

Excellent quality and price for a blue agave spirit. Features earthy agave followed by a clean taste of grass, citrus, and minerals. Medium-bodied mouthfeel. A slight saline/mineral bitterness on the finish. Not ideal for sipping straight (though possible). This is a fantastic mixer and a great everyday choice for cocktails. Hard to beat, especially for the price.