(photo courtesy of Tequila Matchmaker) There's a lot of fun aspects of writing about tequila.  The most obvious being that drinking is most often fun and delicious.  Getting beyond that, so much of it becomes an opportunity with which you can share tastings and opinions with friends...locally or around the world.  I've gotten to know, met and have enjoyed having conversations with many people around the globe about tequila, which makes me feel very blessed since this blog started out as just me hacking away in the basement sipping on something and writing notes on a blog that ..read more

(photo courtesy of Tequila Matchmaker) The final review of the El Rey line of tequilas that I had rated blind and was a very pleasant surprise.  A smaller brand from NOM 1123 at a good price of $35 a bottle.  With most everything else covered in the reviews of the aged expressions (and that can be found in the links above), I'll jump right in. Price: $35/bottle Aroma: A fairly standard aroma of clean cooked agave with light pine and vegetal hints. Initial Taste: Crisp and green.  Nicely sweet without being overly so. Body: Medium to think body.  Nice oils and coatin ..read more

(photo courtesy of Tequila Matchmaker) Casazul is a new brand for me from NOM 1489, which houses other brands that might be recognizable like Casa Dragones and Hussong's.  It's double distilled and diffuser extracted and made in the Los Valles region of Jalisco.  The bottle is clean looking and sleek, the price is in line with many in the marketplce.  Let's see how it tastes. Price: $40/bottle Aroma: Some green agave, spicy notes and a distinct element of alcohol and medicinal notes. Initial Taste: Medicinal, not much agave flavor present Body: Medium bodied, somewhat oil ..read more

(Photo Courtesy of Tequila Matchmaker) Revel Avila is a new agave distillate with no NOM that I can find.  It's distributed by Old Town Tequila, who you know I love and buy from and is a great source for lesser known agave brands.  This one has a nice presentation and a dark color for a repo and a premium price.  I wish that I could provide more background info, but all I have right now is the tequila and the bottle photo.  So here goes... Price: $70/bottle Nose: The nose is smoky, but not overpowering like the more pungent mezcales. Initial Taste: Buttery, sweet and sm ..read more

(Photo Courtesy of Tequila Matchmaker) It's been a while since I've been able to taste anything from Alderete.  5 years ago, I drank and fell in love with the Anejo and with lack of any distribution in the Midwest, it was virtually impossible for me to get my hands on it.  Any loyal readers of the blog know that I have long been a fan of just ionabout anything coming out of NOM 1414, so this in theory should be a real treat.  The rub, much like most of my later reviews, they were rated and written blind to provide no brand bias.  Here are the results. Price: $45-50/bottl ..read more

(Photo Courtesy of Tequila Matchmaker) El Jefe tequila is a new brand for me from a distillery (NOM 1548) with which I'm also not overly familiar.  It actually shows that it's no longer in production, but I see it sold in a few places online.  You can see all of the details in the links above about production, so let's get right to business. Price: $40-50/bottle Aroma: Smoky and vegetal agave nose. Initial Taste: Vegetal and peppery with a touch of sweetness.  Nice. Body: A tad thin, but the peppery notes are still there with hints of smoke.  Finish: Long and lingering f ..read more

(Photo Courtesy of Tequila Matchmaker) Another tequila from the El Rey line and recent winner of the Gold Medal at the Monterey Tequila Festival.  It hails from NOM 1123, which has housed a number of other tequilas that I have enjoyed over the years.  The bottle looks classy and it's well priced. I should take some time to note that Tequila Matchmaker has given me permission to use their photography and I have linked their page below each photo where you can view information on region and production method.  That site is a treasure trove of tequila knowledge and I couldn't re ..read more

(Photo Courtesy of Tequila Matchmaker) Generally speaking, anything coming out of NOM 1146 is something that I am looking out for.  Based on how much I enjoyed the anejo, I was really looking forward to trying the T1 Sensacional Extra Añejo.  At a shade over $100, the price is in line with other XAs and the presentation is excellent as it is with the entire line...and that color...let's jump in. Price: $100-120/bottle Aroma: Cooked agave, brown sugar and berries. Initial Taste: A bit more savory than sweet.  Oak forward with nice spice balance with a still present agave ..read more

(Photo Courtesy of Tequila Matchmaker) I've heard a lot of buzz about Codigo 1530 since it was released.  This is my first taste of anything from the line, but I have enjoyed bottles that had been previously made at NOM 1500.  The bottle has a unique presentation and unique barrels as it is aged in French oak and wine barrels.  It a tad expensive for a reposado, but sometimes a unique process makes it worth it.  Let's find out. Price: $60-70/bottle Aroma: Smoky, earthy and vanilla.  An interesting mix. Initial Taste: Buttery agave and vanilla.  Creme brulee typ ..read more

Before getting this, I was not at all familiar with the Cazcanes brand or anything coming out of NOM 1599.  Cazcanes No 9 is a high ABV blanco at 100 proof, which is something that I've enjoyed in the past from other brands. The presentation is wonderful in this great looking traditional bottle and label.  Let's hope the tequila is just as good. Price: $50/bottle Aroma: Earthy and peppery nose.  Not overly sweet. Initial Taste: Cooked agave sweetness with some natural vegetal notes and spicy.  The high proof is very evident. Body: Nice oily body.  The heat comes fo ..read more