Tequila Tapatio Reposado

I've only sampled a couple of tequilas in my life and have never been a big fan. For some reason, it never captured my interest like red wine, whiskey, or even mezcal, which I oddly enjoy. This one isn't too bad, though. I had it tonight at a Mexican restaurant during a Friday night outing with a friend, and I'm actually enjoying it. It's possible my expectations for tequila are just very low, similar to my high school days. You know, like when you're friends with the entire football team because they all need help with their homework and tests, but then you meet that one player who can actually achieve the high score needed for a scholarship without you charging them a fortune to take the test for them. It's just unexpectedly good. Anyway, about the aroma: I can never seem to detect anything specific in tequila's scent. Is that normal? Perhaps my sense of smell has declined with age and environmental changes. The taste is less vegetal and more like crisp lemon and grass. There's no burn or sting in the finish. What the heck? Isn't tequila supposed to make your mouth pucker on the finish? This has a wonderfully mild, smooth finish with a lingering herbal basil note. I won't be switching from my red wine or whiskey anytime soon, but it's good to know there are other quite decent options available.

It has a minty, earthy scent with a hint of sweet fruit. Surprisingly smooth and oily, it presents a menthol-minty quality and subtle prickly spice. Beyond that, the taste includes bitter herbal notes mixed with earthiness. It seems aged, but also has an alcoholic taste. It's as if toasted wood was briefly steeped in it. This is quite difficult to drink due to its strong, unpleasant taste of alcohol aged in a jar. Faint hints of cherry are present, suggesting cherry wood might have been used in the jar. The complexity never materializes. The flavor is simply not very good and monotonous. This tequila requires significant improvement.

Consumed neat. Exhibits a very pale straw hue. The aroma presents fruity agave, earthy tones, a subtle vegetal quality, oak, and citrus. The taste includes cooked fruity agave, green herbs (mint, tarragon, anise), some oak, vanilla, spices (cinnamon and black pepper), and caramel. The finish offers a touch of sweetness with some bitter herbs. Overall: It's nicely balanced, with the barrel influence not overpowering the fruity agave characteristics. Numerous flavors emerge as it airs.

Delicious tequila from La Alteña distillery, a distillery that prioritizes quality over volume and achieves it. Silky aromas and flavors of wood, dates, vanilla. One of our favorites from Los Altos.

Fresh green agave that transitions to a more roasted agave flavor. Hints of vanilla and the faintest traces of caramel. Green agave notes return with a finish rich in white pepper. I love Tapatio; its label might intimidate casual tequila drinkers, but those in the know will understand. A great quality reposado.

An elegant Agave Spirit from La Altena Distillery in Mexico aged in ex-bourbon casks for 4 months. It starts with aromas of baked agave, wood, herbs, and spices. Its rich life adds notes of caramel, oak, and smoke. It finishes balanced with medium length. May 2017