Tequila Side X Side Blind 2016 Winter Taste-Off
A blind taste testing of samples from four different categories on separate days. Again we will not being doing a breakdown of all the minutiae of each individual distillery or process. Besides there are helpful tools or tequila matchmaker apps for such information or perhaps visit the brands' social media and website. Bottles have been opened for a minimum 2 months, except for one which is from a sample bottle. Keep in mind that every palate is uniquely different, what we may enjoy you may not. Besides, is taste subjective or objective? At certain points we found ourselves reaching for an aroma kit or spices & herbs jars in the kitchen pantry. Riedel tequila glasses and Glencairn whisky glasses were used.
Blanco:
Brand (A): Appearance: clear, colourless, forming skinny, slow legs on the side of the glass. Aroma: cooked agave, pepper, beef jerky?, ripe fruit (banana?), some alcohol. Flavour: cooked agave, crisp, some sweetness (honey?), mild spice, roasted yam?, peanuts and caramel corn? Semi-oily upon entry - some tingling numbness on the lips, gums and in the middle of the mouth - mild sweetness and spice (pepper) in the back. Finish: short to medium - tad dry and briny - crisp roasted agave - mild heat. Mildly Recommended
Brand (B): Appearance: clear, colourless, forming skinny, medium legs on the sides of the glass. Aroma: baked agave, earthy (grassy?), honey?, spicy pepper (jalapeño?), hint of floral and fruit (citrus), mild alcohol. Flavour: baked agave, some sweetness (honey?) and spiciness (jalapeño?) - vegetal notes seem to compete with subtle salty-black licorice and mild earthy (smokey?) notes. Medium oily upon entry that pleasantly coats the mouth - heavy numbness on the lips, gums and mouth. Even felt in the nasal passage. A minty herbal - spicy note lingers from the middle to the back followed with a slight alcohol burn. Warming. Enjoyable. Finish: nice medium-long finish with lingering baked agave, spiciness with sweet black licorice. It sort of reminded one person of Astral blanco tequila. Very Recommended
Brand (C): Appearance: crystal clear, colourless, forming thin, medium legs on the sides of the glass. Aroma: baked agave, crisp and earthy (grassy?), some sweet honeyed smokiness, floral, citrus and green pepper. Flavour: mild earthiness with crisp cooked agave notes, hints of honey and peppermint?, and creaminess accompanied with hints of spiciness. A little light upon entry with some numbing sensation on the lips, gums and mouth. Slightly oily-creamy and some mint and alcohol in the back of the mouth. Finish: Medium finish with cooked agave and a nice lingering citrus and mint aftertaste. Recommended
Brand (D): Appearance: crystal clear, shiny hues, forming thin, medium legs on the sides of the glass. Aroma: baked agave, citrus (lemon tea?), floral (eucalyptus?), and subtle pepper. Flavour: mild earthiness with deep cooked agave notes, hints of honey and herbs (mint?), and creamy butter? accompanied with citrus and hints of pepper. A little light upon entry with mild numbing sensation on the lips, gums and mouth. Slightly oily-creamy (silky?) and some spicy citrus notes and alcohol in the back of the mouth. Finish: Medium finish with cooked agave and a nice lingering citrus and herbal aftertaste. Very Recommended
Reposado:
Brand (E): Appearance: straw, light golden hues, forming medium, slow legs on the side of the glass. Aroma: crisp cooked agave, vegetal almost herbal (oregano or basil?), fruit, tobacco, hint of spice and vanilla. Flavour: mild crisp cooked agave, hint of oak, spice (white pepper?), herbal-fruitiness (dried ripe cherry?), hint of creaminess, vanilla and buttered caramel, some sweetness (raw honey?). Slightly oily upon entry that coats the mouth accompanied with some subtle dryness. Some numbness on the lips, gums and mouth. Herbal - butterscotch - mild sweetness - spice notes linger from the middle to the back of the mouth followed with a slight alcohol burn. Enjoyable barrel influence. Finish: medium finish with mild crisp cooked agave, grassiness?, spice, and raw cookie dough?. Slightly dry finish. Nice influences imposed on by the barrel. Very Recommended
Brand (F): Appearance: pale golden colour. Large-fast legs that cling to the sides of the glass.. Aroma: cooked agave, fruity (raisins?), spice (rosemary?), vanilla, some sweetness (raw honey?). Flavour: cooked agave, creamy vanilla, slightly burnt caramel mocha, mild black licorice (anise?), fruit? Slighly oily upon entry that pleasantly coats the mouth - silky feel - mild numbness on the lips, gums and mouth. A peppermint herbal - cinnamon cocoa note lingers in the back followed with some mild alcohol. Finish: medium to long finish with mild cooked agave, spice and herbal notes that linger. Nice balanced flavours. A blend of tequila aged in older used oak barrels and toasted new oak barrels? Tasty. Recommended
Brand (G): Appearance: golden straw, amber hues, forming thin, medium legs on the side of the glass. Aroma: baked agave, spice (pepper), fruit (dried plums?), vanilla-caramel, some earthiness (burnt peat?). Flavour: mild baked agave, pepper, fruitiness, creamy (buttery?), nougat? Medium oily upon entry that pleasantly coats the mouth - some numbness on the lips, gums and mouth. A spicy cinnamon note lingers from the middle to the back followed with some alcohol burn. Enjoyable. Finish: short to medium with mild agave, spice, with lingering smokey tobacco note. Guessing 'used' Scotch oak barrels were used. Recommended
Brand (H): Appearance: golden straw, amber hues, forming medium, slow legs on the side of the glass. Aroma: caramel, mild alcohol, toasted nuts?, dried ginger?, roasted marshmallow, fruit, some minerality. Flavour: brown sugar and honeyed vanilla, grassy, pepper, fruitiness (melon?), caramel. Slightly oily upon entry that coats the mouth - some numbness on the lips, gums and mouth. Pepper - baking spices - roasted shiitake - oak tannin notes linger from the middle to the back followed with a mild alcohol burn. Warming. Enjoyable. Finish: nice - medium-long finish with lingering spices, charred oak. A tad astringent. Ok this isn't an agave spirit. It's quite tasty whatever it is (Rum?). Recommended
Añejo:
Brand (I): Appearance: bright golden yellow, forming thick, medium legs on the side of the glass. Aroma: baked agave, caramel, citrus, roasted nuts?, bay leaf?, mild baking spices. Flavour: baked agave, hints of oak, creamy caramel, barbecue smoked and spiced nuts?, cocoa, mild pepper, fruit (dried cherry?). Medium oily upon entry that coats the mouth - slight numbness on the lips, gums and mouth. Pepper - baking spices - nutty - cocoa notes linger from the middle to the back followed with a slight alcohol burn. Finish: nice - medium creamy finish with lingering cooked agave, cocoa, and spices. Nicely balanced. Pleasing sipper. Recommended
Brand (J): Appearance: dark golden yellow, forming thick, medium legs on the side of the glass. Aroma: baked agave, caramel, ripe fruit, musky tobacco?, hint of cinnamon, mild oak, baking spices, old leather? Flavour: baked agave, pepper, hints of oak, candied fruit?, slight earthiness, creamy vanilla caramel, hint of cocoa. Slightly oily upon entry that pleasantly coats the mouth - some minerality - strong numbness on the lips, gums and mouth. Earthy - spicy - salty-sweetness notes linger from the middle to the back followed with a slight alcohol burn. Finish: nice medium finish with lingering cooked agave, peppermint? and cinnamon. Recommended
Brand (K): Appearance: dark golden, yellow hues, forming thick, medium legs on the side of the glass. Aroma: mild baked agave, smokey, spicy (pepper), floral?, fruity (citrus), earthy. Flavour: baked agave, pepper, smoke, cinnamon, hints of oak, nutty?, slight earthiness, creamy vanilla caramel, hint of cocoa, orange Tic Tacs? Medium oily upon entry that coats the mouth - some minerality - strong numbness on the lips, gums and mouth. Earthy - baking spices - bourbon (corn?) notes linger from the middle to the back followed with a slight alcohol burn. Finish: nice medium-long finish with mild cooked agave, lingering smoke and spice. Used bourbon oak barrels? Very Recommended
Extra Añejo:
Brand (M): Appearance: deep dark golden, amber hues, forming fat, medium legs on the side of the glass. Aroma: mild cooked agave, creamy buttery peanut brittle, roasted dark coffee beans?, Christmas spice cake?, hint of sawdust (cedar?), new leather?, fruity (strawberry and black-cherries?), hint of floral (jasmine?), mild alcohol. Flavour: cooked agave, nutty, mild vanilla, some chocolate caramel, fig-raisin?, pepper, mild tobacco, nutty, some cinnamon, hint of toasted sawdust?. Medium oily upon entry - some dryness - that coats the mouth mild numbness on the lips, gums and mouth. Roasted coffee - spicy fruity cinnamon - buttery corn pastry? notes linger from the middle to the back followed with a mild alcohol burn. Warming. Finish: nice medium-long finish with cooked agave, some lingering earthy (grassy?), subtle sweetness-spice, smokiness, and hint of vanilla and raisin-mint?. Fun sipper. Layers upon layers of flavours. Some similarities with (N). Very Recommended
Brand (N): Appearance: dark mahogany, copper hues, forming medium, slow legs on the side of the glass. Aroma: mild cooked agave, vanilla, caramel, roasted almonds?, coffee?, intense baking spices (more cinnamon and clove), hint of oak, fruity (dried red cherries?), mild alcohol. Flavour: cooked agave, nutty, vanilla, cinnamon, some chocolate caramel, red cherries?, pepper, musky pipe tobacco?, nutty, hint of toasted oak?. Medium oily upon entry - silky - that coats the mouth - mild numbness on the lips, gums and mouth. Chocolate caramel - spicy cinnamon - mild vanilla coffee? notes linger from the middle to the back followed with a mild alcohol burn. Finish: nice long finish with cooked agave, creamy, some lingering earthy, subtle sweetness, cinnamon, smokiness, then a hint of dryness?. Flavour notes integrate well with the agave. Some similarities with (M). Very Recommended
Brand (O): Appearance: deep dark amber, orange hues, forming medium, slow legs on the side of the glass. Aroma:mild cooked agave, burnt caramel, cardamom?, cinnamon, walnuts?, hint of oak, green olive?, mild alcohol. Flavour: cooked agave, nutty, vanilla, dark chocolate, cinnamon, caramel, baked apple pie?, pepper, hint of roasted coffee?. Medium oily upon entry - creamy - that coats the mouth - mild numbness on the lips, gums and mouth. Dark chocolate caramel - spicy - cinnamon? notes linger from the middle to the back followed with a mild alcohol burn. Finish: nice medium-long finish with cooked agave, some lingering earthy, dark chocolate, cinnamon, spicy (pepper), and a hint of brininess?. Nice sipper to accompany a cigar. Recommended
(A): Siempre (B): Dos Almas 55 (lote #1) (C): Two Nine 29 (NOM1499) (D): Don Nacho (NOM1508) (E): Lunazul Double Barrel Reserva Especial 2015 Wheated Bourbon Barrel Finish (F): El Mexicano (NOM1588) (G): Pancho Datos (NOM1560) (H): *SAMPLE* Puerto Angel Rum (I): Gran Padre (NOM1464) (J): The Giggling Marlin (NOM1500) (K): Don Abraham (NOM1480) older-short squat bottle (L): Rudo (NOM1467) (M): ARTA Batch #2 - 5 Year (NOM1360) (N): Tristan - 5 Year (NOM1360) (O): Evaga (NOM1502)
Blanco:
Brand (A): Appearance: clear, colourless, forming skinny, slow legs on the side of the glass. Aroma: cooked agave, pepper, beef jerky?, ripe fruit (banana?), some alcohol. Flavour: cooked agave, crisp, some sweetness (honey?), mild spice, roasted yam?, peanuts and caramel corn? Semi-oily upon entry - some tingling numbness on the lips, gums and in the middle of the mouth - mild sweetness and spice (pepper) in the back. Finish: short to medium - tad dry and briny - crisp roasted agave - mild heat. Mildly Recommended
Brand (B): Appearance: clear, colourless, forming skinny, medium legs on the sides of the glass. Aroma: baked agave, earthy (grassy?), honey?, spicy pepper (jalapeño?), hint of floral and fruit (citrus), mild alcohol. Flavour: baked agave, some sweetness (honey?) and spiciness (jalapeño?) - vegetal notes seem to compete with subtle salty-black licorice and mild earthy (smokey?) notes. Medium oily upon entry that pleasantly coats the mouth - heavy numbness on the lips, gums and mouth. Even felt in the nasal passage. A minty herbal - spicy note lingers from the middle to the back followed with a slight alcohol burn. Warming. Enjoyable. Finish: nice medium-long finish with lingering baked agave, spiciness with sweet black licorice. It sort of reminded one person of Astral blanco tequila. Very Recommended
Brand (C): Appearance: crystal clear, colourless, forming thin, medium legs on the sides of the glass. Aroma: baked agave, crisp and earthy (grassy?), some sweet honeyed smokiness, floral, citrus and green pepper. Flavour: mild earthiness with crisp cooked agave notes, hints of honey and peppermint?, and creaminess accompanied with hints of spiciness. A little light upon entry with some numbing sensation on the lips, gums and mouth. Slightly oily-creamy and some mint and alcohol in the back of the mouth. Finish: Medium finish with cooked agave and a nice lingering citrus and mint aftertaste. Recommended
Brand (D): Appearance: crystal clear, shiny hues, forming thin, medium legs on the sides of the glass. Aroma: baked agave, citrus (lemon tea?), floral (eucalyptus?), and subtle pepper. Flavour: mild earthiness with deep cooked agave notes, hints of honey and herbs (mint?), and creamy butter? accompanied with citrus and hints of pepper. A little light upon entry with mild numbing sensation on the lips, gums and mouth. Slightly oily-creamy (silky?) and some spicy citrus notes and alcohol in the back of the mouth. Finish: Medium finish with cooked agave and a nice lingering citrus and herbal aftertaste. Very Recommended
Reposado:
Brand (E): Appearance: straw, light golden hues, forming medium, slow legs on the side of the glass. Aroma: crisp cooked agave, vegetal almost herbal (oregano or basil?), fruit, tobacco, hint of spice and vanilla. Flavour: mild crisp cooked agave, hint of oak, spice (white pepper?), herbal-fruitiness (dried ripe cherry?), hint of creaminess, vanilla and buttered caramel, some sweetness (raw honey?). Slightly oily upon entry that coats the mouth accompanied with some subtle dryness. Some numbness on the lips, gums and mouth. Herbal - butterscotch - mild sweetness - spice notes linger from the middle to the back of the mouth followed with a slight alcohol burn. Enjoyable barrel influence. Finish: medium finish with mild crisp cooked agave, grassiness?, spice, and raw cookie dough?. Slightly dry finish. Nice influences imposed on by the barrel. Very Recommended
Brand (F): Appearance: pale golden colour. Large-fast legs that cling to the sides of the glass.. Aroma: cooked agave, fruity (raisins?), spice (rosemary?), vanilla, some sweetness (raw honey?). Flavour: cooked agave, creamy vanilla, slightly burnt caramel mocha, mild black licorice (anise?), fruit? Slighly oily upon entry that pleasantly coats the mouth - silky feel - mild numbness on the lips, gums and mouth. A peppermint herbal - cinnamon cocoa note lingers in the back followed with some mild alcohol. Finish: medium to long finish with mild cooked agave, spice and herbal notes that linger. Nice balanced flavours. A blend of tequila aged in older used oak barrels and toasted new oak barrels? Tasty. Recommended
Brand (G): Appearance: golden straw, amber hues, forming thin, medium legs on the side of the glass. Aroma: baked agave, spice (pepper), fruit (dried plums?), vanilla-caramel, some earthiness (burnt peat?). Flavour: mild baked agave, pepper, fruitiness, creamy (buttery?), nougat? Medium oily upon entry that pleasantly coats the mouth - some numbness on the lips, gums and mouth. A spicy cinnamon note lingers from the middle to the back followed with some alcohol burn. Enjoyable. Finish: short to medium with mild agave, spice, with lingering smokey tobacco note. Guessing 'used' Scotch oak barrels were used. Recommended
Brand (H): Appearance: golden straw, amber hues, forming medium, slow legs on the side of the glass. Aroma: caramel, mild alcohol, toasted nuts?, dried ginger?, roasted marshmallow, fruit, some minerality. Flavour: brown sugar and honeyed vanilla, grassy, pepper, fruitiness (melon?), caramel. Slightly oily upon entry that coats the mouth - some numbness on the lips, gums and mouth. Pepper - baking spices - roasted shiitake - oak tannin notes linger from the middle to the back followed with a mild alcohol burn. Warming. Enjoyable. Finish: nice - medium-long finish with lingering spices, charred oak. A tad astringent. Ok this isn't an agave spirit. It's quite tasty whatever it is (Rum?). Recommended
Añejo:
Brand (I): Appearance: bright golden yellow, forming thick, medium legs on the side of the glass. Aroma: baked agave, caramel, citrus, roasted nuts?, bay leaf?, mild baking spices. Flavour: baked agave, hints of oak, creamy caramel, barbecue smoked and spiced nuts?, cocoa, mild pepper, fruit (dried cherry?). Medium oily upon entry that coats the mouth - slight numbness on the lips, gums and mouth. Pepper - baking spices - nutty - cocoa notes linger from the middle to the back followed with a slight alcohol burn. Finish: nice - medium creamy finish with lingering cooked agave, cocoa, and spices. Nicely balanced. Pleasing sipper. Recommended
Brand (K): Appearance: dark golden, yellow hues, forming thick, medium legs on the side of the glass. Aroma: mild baked agave, smokey, spicy (pepper), floral?, fruity (citrus), earthy. Flavour: baked agave, pepper, smoke, cinnamon, hints of oak, nutty?, slight earthiness, creamy vanilla caramel, hint of cocoa, orange Tic Tacs? Medium oily upon entry that coats the mouth - some minerality - strong numbness on the lips, gums and mouth. Earthy - baking spices - bourbon (corn?) notes linger from the middle to the back followed with a slight alcohol burn. Finish: nice medium-long finish with mild cooked agave, lingering smoke and spice. Used bourbon oak barrels? Very Recommended
Brand (L): Appearance: deep gold, amber hues, forming thin, medium legs on the side of the glass. Aroma: baked agave, creamy butter, chocolate fudge? ripe cherry, mild spice (pepper), nutty?, earthy (grassy?). Flavour: baked agave, pepper, mild tobacco, candied spiced nuts, hints of cedar?, slight grassiness, caramel, hint of cocoa. Medium oily upon entry that coats the mouth mild numbness on the lips, gums and mouth. Slightly spicy - roasted nuts - cedar notes linger in the back followed with a mild alcohol burn. Finish: nice medium finish with cooked agave, some lingering chocolate fudge and spicy tobacco. Recommended
Extra Añejo:
Brand (M): Appearance: deep dark golden, amber hues, forming fat, medium legs on the side of the glass. Aroma: mild cooked agave, creamy buttery peanut brittle, roasted dark coffee beans?, Christmas spice cake?, hint of sawdust (cedar?), new leather?, fruity (strawberry and black-cherries?), hint of floral (jasmine?), mild alcohol. Flavour: cooked agave, nutty, mild vanilla, some chocolate caramel, fig-raisin?, pepper, mild tobacco, nutty, some cinnamon, hint of toasted sawdust?. Medium oily upon entry - some dryness - that coats the mouth mild numbness on the lips, gums and mouth. Roasted coffee - spicy fruity cinnamon - buttery corn pastry? notes linger from the middle to the back followed with a mild alcohol burn. Warming. Finish: nice medium-long finish with cooked agave, some lingering earthy (grassy?), subtle sweetness-spice, smokiness, and hint of vanilla and raisin-mint?. Fun sipper. Layers upon layers of flavours. Some similarities with (N). Very Recommended
Brand (O): Appearance: deep dark amber, orange hues, forming medium, slow legs on the side of the glass. Aroma:mild cooked agave, burnt caramel, cardamom?, cinnamon, walnuts?, hint of oak, green olive?, mild alcohol. Flavour: cooked agave, nutty, vanilla, dark chocolate, cinnamon, caramel, baked apple pie?, pepper, hint of roasted coffee?. Medium oily upon entry - creamy - that coats the mouth - mild numbness on the lips, gums and mouth. Dark chocolate caramel - spicy - cinnamon? notes linger from the middle to the back followed with a mild alcohol burn. Finish: nice medium-long finish with cooked agave, some lingering earthy, dark chocolate, cinnamon, spicy (pepper), and a hint of brininess?. Nice sipper to accompany a cigar. Recommended
(A): Siempre (B): Dos Almas 55 (lote #1) (C): Two Nine 29 (NOM1499) (D): Don Nacho (NOM1508) (E): Lunazul Double Barrel Reserva Especial 2015 Wheated Bourbon Barrel Finish (F): El Mexicano (NOM1588) (G): Pancho Datos (NOM1560) (H): *SAMPLE* Puerto Angel Rum (I): Gran Padre (NOM1464) (J): The Giggling Marlin (NOM1500) (K): Don Abraham (NOM1480) older-short squat bottle (L): Rudo (NOM1467) (M): ARTA Batch #2 - 5 Year (NOM1360) (N): Tristan - 5 Year (NOM1360) (O): Evaga (NOM1502)
