Tequila Tapatio Excelencia Gran Reserva Lot 1

Score: 19/23 N: Spicy and minty, with a generally full body. Other character notes are subdued. Some bitter herbs accompany the mint, but aren't particularly engaging. Faint hints of brine and perhaps agave are present, but require effort to detect. P: The palate is far more developed than the nose suggests. Brine hits immediately, followed by lime, then transitioning to herbal, almost caramelized, stewed agave. Wood notes and dusty spices, evoking El Tesoro Extra Añejo, are present. The interplay of flavors on the palate is wonderful. Moments of pure water appear, and the alcohol is never apparent, nor does it taste thin. Excellent balance and complexity, with a touch of earthy dustiness and maybe a hint of red apples. F: Upon exhaling, the mint emerges. Traces of brine and rich stewed agave with light caramel and very subtle spices are noticeable. - Conclusion - This is an exceptional tequila, rivaling El Tesoro Extra Añejo in quality and exhibiting similar flavor characteristics. The complexity is remarkable. It presents a bolder profile than El Tesoro, though its complexity isn't at the same height. While it offers more agave and typical tequila notes, El Tesoro holds a slight edge for me. Fuenteseca 7 offers sweeter, richer notes, reminiscent of rum or bourbon. While also a great tequila, I prefer this one slightly. I'm inclined to assign a 19, considering Fuenteseca received an 18 and El Tesoro a 20. If I were to adjust, it would likely be down to an 18, but I'm feeling strongly about this 19. Thanks for the sample from a friend!

What a treat, showcasing what good wood and a quality product can accomplish. Through patience and time, one of the finest extra añejo tequilas I have encountered has been achieved. An almost flawless silkiness allows the tequila to go down like water, light yet leaving a multitude of notes: green agave and poblano chile, earthiness and minerality, alongside sweet hints of vanilla, toffee, creme brule, dried fruit, figs, and preserved dates. Magnificent in a Spigelau glass.

My limited experience with tequila hasn't prepared me for this; it must be among the finest tequilas available. It has vegetal, minty, and herbaceous qualities. It's smooth, lacking any of the usual tequila bite. This is clearly not intended for mixing. Best enjoyed neat, perhaps with a few drops of water. My thanks to a friend for the taste! One of the top tequilas I've encountered.

An elegant Agave Spirit from La Altena Distillery in Mexico, aged for approximately 4 years in French and American oak barrels. It begins aromatically with notes of hot caramel apples, intense agave, and flowers; the rich body introduces earthy notes, brown sugar, and spices, leading to a long, balanced conclusion with hints of oak and chocolate. May 2017

This is easily my top tequila pick. The color is a deep, rich amber, and its scent is lively and intricate. However, the flavor is where this one truly shines. It's rich, intricate, and incredibly diverse, offering herbal, fruity, and spicy notes all at once. This tequila redefines the category. An outstanding product.

It's a marvelous demonstration of the unique qualities tequila acquires when aged. Notes of amaro and dusty libraries, along with a certain funk, are married with stewed agave, orange peel, sage, thyme, and pepper. It is very rich and exciting.