The A to Z of our amateur taste tested tequilas along with a few mezcals and other interesting stuff.
123 Tequila – Uno Dos Tres
Smooth, organic and rich. This Blanco (Uno) kicked off the Tequila journey very appropriately. The Reposado (Dos) and the Añejo (Tres) must be magical if the Blanco is anything to go by. We like the sustainability efforts put into this tequila and feel we could sustainably continue to drink it.
1800
This absolutely cracking tequila is a reliable and accessible favourite. 1800 is named after the year that tequila was first produced. Who knew?! Probably everyone in Mexico, but anyway. Distilled using authentic copper pot stills and you can taste it. If you’re starting out in this world of agave, this one is a solid choice.
Alacrán Tequila
Alacrán. Ala harsh on the nose, but fairly comfortable on the palate. Tasted a little like Grappa, so third on a list of three, and that’s an appropriate spot for now. One to revisit once educated.
Arette
Arette Tequila. A favourite in Mexico and one of ours too. It has a pepper and honey vibe going, like French Toast on a weekday. We had the Sauve Añejo, smoother cousin to the punchy Reposado. This is proper – the distillery is one of the oldest in the town of Tequila and to seal the deal, to make Arette, they use special water from the wellsprings of the Tequila volcano. I mean, how can you go wrong with volcano water?
Artenom
Artenom Tequila. We tried both the Reposado Nom 1414 and Añejo Nom 1146. From the highlands and mid slopes of Jalisco, Mexico. Just look at that colour! A sophisticated reviewer may describe these as considered and understated. To us, the reposado was silky pajamas and the Añejo rich and fruity like an 80’s socialite. Ho ho ho – on Santa’s list you go.
Avion
Avion Reposado. Will we have another von? Not likely. It’s fiery and entertaining but not on the must have list. I think it would cause trouble without contributing much. Could be the oak barrels it was aged in – perhaps they fell off the back of a lorry.
Calle 23
Calle 23. A Reposado with soul. It takes nine years for those blue agaves to grow, so a good nine minutes should be spent enjoying the results. The Añejo is botanical, crafted with care. I think I’m falling in love.
Casamigos
Cas Amigos was our international introduction to premium tequila, credit to George Clooney (and of course Rande Gerber and Mike Meldman). We simply didn’t have access to this a few years ago. George opened a door for us. The citrus tones in the blanco work wonderfully in a Margarita, and while we’ve sipped on a few Reposados, it’s no longer our top choice having ventured deeper into agave territory. It’s more like an ex that we might get in touch with after one too many.
Casa Cofradia
This blanco tequila was described as ‘earthy’. Agreed, it’s earthy. I would take it mountain biking to warm me up and also to clean my bike chain with. Smells a bit like liquorice after a workout. It’s neither here nor there for me, but better than expected for a blanco.
Casa Noble Reposado
Casa Noble Reposado. This is an old school tequila, aged for longer than most. It has a nutty tone, which is clearly good for its longevity. If you were ever having lunch with Jack Nicholson, this would be the tequila to have on the table. Mischievous, aged and a class act.
Casco Viejo
Casco Viejo Reposado. How delightful, this tastes like popcorn! Delicious with a fist pump. I would call it the port of the tequilas tasted so far, sweet and alluring. Ignore the pink sangria in the picture which is overshadowing one of the favourites we’ve tasted so far. There’s only so many close ups you can take of tequila in a glass you know.
Tequila Centinela
The one to watch and keep they say. Hints of whiskey and bourbon. That smokey taste with a sweet finale is rich and mature, like Warren Buffet. Not sure this can be watched and kept, better to drink it.
Chinaco
Uh, we’d had a few when we tried this. It’s heritage appears interesting if you read about it. It wasn’t entirely memorable. We will have to give it another go. Watch this space.
Charbay
Charbay Tequila. A very special Blanco, best we’ve had. Unfortunately it’s now discontinued, so we were lucky to have tasted it. The Agave plants were grown on the foothills of a volcanic mountain, hand cut then baked in old stone ovens for 4 days. How could you not appreciate that?! Strong aroma. Don’t expect your eyesight to work that well after a whiff, however it tastes like a perfectly seasoned slice of heaven.
Codigo
Codigo 1530 Reposado Tequila. Agave from the lowlands. It’s unique, strong and complicated, so if you like things high maintenance this might be for you. This picture is AI generated because I couldn’t find the picture we took. Oh well, will have to get another bottle of it!
Corazón
A savoury, throat crackling tequila which could be passed around a campfire while sharing old Mexican tales. Of course we’d need some friends with Mexican tales. Corazón is made with heart.
Corralejo
Corralejo Reposado. Tastes like – tequila. Yes, it’s definitely tequila. Warm, generous and unsuspecting. Just a WARNING! Whatever you do, do not look at the bottle – you can never unsee that font. The label will keep you awake at your own funeral.
Don Fulano
Don Fulano Añejo. Respect to this exceptional bottle of wonderfulness. We did not realise at the time of tasting that it was partial to a touch of spice, chocolate and mint. Little wonder these three favourite flavours completely seduced the women at the table. It had us at Don.
Don Julio Blanco
Don Julio Blanco. We had this at a dinner pairing, with the starters. This classic fragrant tequila perfectly complimented our Chile en Nogada starter. It would of course, the chef explained how he spent a lot of time tasting and pairing. Yes Chef. I’m sure you did Chef. Would we slowly sip on the blanco on its own? No. That’s a job for Reposado.
Don Julio Reposado. The narrator who guided us through the tequila and food pairing explained it perfectly “the interaction between spirit and wood creates a whole new experience’. We love Don Julio. Grew up on it. So, to us, it’s a whole new experience that we’re completely familiar with. Love you Uncle Julio.
Dulce Vida
Dulce Vida Reposado and Añejo. Let’s just say – yay for their sustainability angle. The end.
El Charro
El Charro Añejo. Traditional and distinguished. Double distilled mind you, so very sophisticated. Slightly spicy and sweeter which pairs it well with its name. We’d happily have this after a meal. Or for breakfast.
El Tesoro
El Tesoro Tequila. The Reposado is grassy, smoky and warm like a music festival in your mouth. The Añejo is subtle agave in oak, smooth AF. Yes Please. There’s a lovely backdrop of family, tradition and soul to this tequila story and it’s reflected in the flavour.
Espolòn
Espolòn Añejo. Spicy, mature and approachable – a suitable match on Tinder. Speaking of romantic hook ups – there’s a tale behind the label of this bottle, representing the Jarabe Tapatio dance (Mexican hat dance), It celebrates romantic courtship and has come to symbolize Mexico’s independent spirit.
“Our Tequila Añejo label honors this tradition and serves as inspiration to those who break the rules that need breaking and create what needs creating.” Love this. Reliable and thoughtful you are, Espolòn Añejo xx
Excellia
Excellia Tequila. Pairs really well with – food. There’s a french, mexican partnership going on here, which is probably why. While made from the traditional blue weber agave, the tequila rests in wine and cognac barrels. Best described as tradicional and intéressant.
Fortaleza
Fortaleza Añejo is a charmer. You may notice it in bars and restaurants worth their weight in sophistication. Not only does the aging process in this tequila bring out wisdom and complexity, the more of it you drink, the seemingly wiser and more complex you become. Some describe the flavours of caramel and butterscotch, whereas we found the spice and oak. Always able to find the hottie in a room!
G4
Many a poor sod may have strolled past this beauty on the shelves. We were not expecting much from this tequila, based purely on the name (never mind judging books by their covers). The Reposado and Añejo are delights. The 4 is a nod to the four generations of tequila making, and guess what – you can tell! A firm favourite, despite it sounding like an aircraft carrier.
Gran Orendain
The Gran Orendain Reposado is a sense-sation. Sophisticated colour and taste. One sip and you’ll start saying words like ‘robust’, ‘elegant’ and ‘complex’. The Extra Añejo is Grammy and BAFTA level, it brings out the charm, glamour and prepared surprise speeches. This label is worth the hair and makeup.
Herradura
We’ve tried the Herradura Reposado, the 2012 Reposado Port Cask and the Ultra Añejo. The port cask is very exciting, like flame grilled tequila. Can you just imagine! The Ultra Añejo is the opposite of what you would expect. It’s Añejo yet clear in colour, sweet but spicy and as smooth as an airline pilot from the 70’s.
The Herradura Reposado pictured here is a class act. The Elvis of tequilas if you ask me – we keep going back for more, our friends love it too and while it certainly makes yours hips move, boy can it get messy towards the end.
IXÁ
We tried the Reposado and the Añejo of course. Quite the rodeo. The Añejo had more of a kick than the reposado but we found both exciting and rich, like drinking a season of Yellowstone. Pronounced ‘Yeeha!’ without the y and h.
It’s produced by Greenbar distillery and is 100% organic.
IXÁ Tequila from Greenbar Distillery
Jose Cuervo Reserva
Reserva de la Familia Platino and Reserva de la Familia Extra Añejo. For some time, Jose Cuervo has been the ‘don’t answer’ listing in the mobile phone. However, respect where respect is due. This was the first tequila to be sold commercially and has gone through 200 year process to get where it is today – selling a fifth of the tequila consumed worldwide. The Platino bought on a few flashbacks but the Extra Añejo is absolutely superb. Answer the call.
Lunazul
One of us enjoyed the Añejo and more so, the Reposado, finding it earthy, dusty and dried-fruit-like. Tequila face for me however. A chemical hat trick of Ethanol, Sulphuric Dioxide and some kind of natural gas. If you’re the kind of person who likes hanging around petrol stations, this one’s for you.
Ocho
Ocho Tequilas. Blanco, Reposado and Añejo, The flight of the bumblebee. From a herby melody to start, through to the sweet southern spice of the Reposado, finishing with a buttery, smooth coffee feel of Añejo. Quite the rodeo for the taste buds.
Olmeca
We had to cross paths with this high school flashback sooner or later. Olmeca Gold. We can appreciate that a lot of effort has gone into the making and marketing of this globally dominant party starter, but this tastes like desperation and can he held responsible for many sad tales and illegitimate children.
Pasote Tequila
Not your every-bar tequila this. In fact, we were told it was unlikely to be found anywhere in Australia at the time of tasting. The Reposado was more steam than flavour for me. It took over my senses like gun powder and pepper, because I regularly sip on that. The Añejo was pleasant, heavenly tears from the highlands of Jesus Maria.
Patron Tequila
The Patron Reposado rivals its sister Añejo, which in our opinion, is rare. The Añejo leans more towards the caramel isle so if you’re not a fan, then Reposado is for you. This tequila is rich and trusted – everything you want out of a new friend. Match these puppies with a Corona, a Margarita or a little Sangria Senorita!
Pueblo Viejo Tequila
While the Reposado would substitute a decent hospital grade anesthetic, the Añejo was proper tasty. Mature, wise and punchy. The only real problem we had with the combo was pronunciation.
Tezon Tequila
The Reposado was slightly flavorless having been exposed to fresh air for a little while. Nevertheless, a crisp taste with promises of a good time. Would give it a another go. The Añejo, however, was punchy – like Conor McGregor in a bourbon barrel.
Smashed Agave 