Tequila Blanco
 

Montezuma’s Legacy-
Best Premium Blanco Tequila

The Fifty Best Blanco Tequila Tasting

 

The Tasting:
The Fifty Best held a “blind” tasting of 17 blanco tequilas with fourteen members of our spirits judging panel. The order of service was established beforehand by lottery. Strict tasting rules were applied. Each of the tequilas were poured into fresh glasses from new sealed bottles and served at room temperature. Only ice water, neutral unflavored crackers and chips were available to cleanse the palate.

The judges wrote down their impressions on score sheets. The scoring was done on a 5-point system, with 5 as the highest. Double Gold, Gold and Silver medals are awarded according to a set range of final point scores received from the judges. There were no Bronze medals awarded for this tasting. Medals are provided based entirely on merit and only to products judged worthy of such award.

The tasting notes that follow are summaries of the judges’ opinions, with all replicated commentary eliminated. The municipalities of origin are identified for each brand. Clicking on the brands' names will link to their websites.


DOUBLE-GOLD MEDAL WINNER

El Tequileño Platinum
(Tequila, Jalisco, MX)  80° proof

Nose: Vanilla, cream soda, coffee cake, strawberry, elderberry, melon, citrus, cherry blossom, flowers, floral, wintergreen, mint, menthol, herbal, green herbs, green pepper, green beans, jalapeño, musty agave, notes of sandalwood, earth, wet stones, crisp, lightly funky, savory.
Palate: Caramel, chocolate, cocoa, nougat, cream soda, cane sugar, powdered sugar, dates, berries, pear, honeyed herbs, mint, spearmint, grassiness, green pepper, cooked agave, roasted jalapeño, vegetal, pepper, peppercorn, black pepper, earthy tones, smoky, woody, well balanced, rich, creamy.
Finish: Classic vegetal and herbal notes, roasted agave, banana, floral, mint, spearmint, green bell pepper, balanced pepper, chocolate, chipotle, earthy, smoky, unique profile, well balanced, bright, nice, soft, smooth, delicious.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



El Tequileño Platinum



GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Calavera Tequila Blanco
(Tequila, Jalisco, MX)  80° proof

Aroma: Café au lait, latte, cocoa, vanilla, honey, fresh dried fruit, dried citrus peel, agave, cooked agave, roasted vegetables, green beans, green olives, leafy greens, vegetal, fresh herbs, herbaceous, cut grass, mint, menthol, roasted nuts, tobacco, earthy, mineral, musty, oaky, smooth, rich, welcoming.
Palate: Praline, cocoa, dark sugar, vanilla, creamy vanilla cake, cream soda, baked oat goods, bright full agave, dried fruit, fig, tropical fruit, green apple, Sprite soda, citrus, herbal, mint, grassy, green bell pepper, green beans, okra, vegetal, peppery, light smoke.
Finish: Vanilla, bright citrus, anise, grass, green pepper, dried herbs, tarragon, lingering spice, black pepper, peppery bite, wet stones, earth tones, tobacco, tannins, mouth filling, multi-faceted, balanced, very smooth, creamy, mellow, rich, elegant.

Gold Medal
Gold medal




Calavera Tequila Blanco



Exotico Blanco Tequila
(Arandas, Jalisco, MX)  80° proof

Aroma: Mango, banana, stone fruit, melon, grilled apricot, agave, roasted corn, roasted pepper, fresh green beans, vegetal, pickled, anise, mint, spearmint, grassy, wet grass, white flowers, tobacco, earthy, cedar, mineral oil, wet stone, river rocks, crisp, rich.
Palate: Chocolate, vanilla, pineapple, pear, dried apple, caramelized fruit, Juicy Fruit gum, tropical, herbs, spearmint, grassy, fennel, green bell pepper, green olive, vegetal, cinnamon, tobacco, earthy, minerals, wet stones, char, smoky, burnt oak, beautifully blended, layered, crisp, smooth, rich.
Finish: Sweet pepper, roasted agave, pear, celery, anise, spearmint, sandalwood, spice, jalapeño, black pepper, birch tree, earth, black lava salt, mineral stone, cream, very well balanced, smooth, pretty, delicate, great.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Exotico Blanco Tequila



Ryno Organic Blanco Tequila
(Los Valles, Jalisco, MX)  80° proof

Aroma: Chocolate, brown sugar, vanilla, buttery, dough, bubble gum, crushed lime, lemon peel, citrus, anise cookies, anise, sweet onions, cucumber, green pepper, vegetal, grassy, herbal, dill, mint, baked agave, earthy agave, salty brine, mesquite, savory.
Palate: Pineapple, hint of papaya, citrus, apple, roasted fruit, Haribo candy, Juicy Fruit gum, nougat, praline, vanilla, cream, caramel corn, peanut brittle, toasted pecans, wheat, straw, balanced agave, green bell pepper, anise, mint, floral, peppery, pepper, earthy, tannins, brine, sea salt, mineral, tropical, a hint of sweetness, spicy bite, rich, creamy, smooth.
Finish: Cocoa, white chocolate, sweet pineapple, citrus, herbal, mint, peppermint, cactus, vegetal, subtle cinnamon, white pepper, black pepper, peppery, sandalwood, mineral oil, a nice sweetness, silky, smooth, rich, creamy.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Ryno Organic Blanco Tequila



Anteel Blanco Tequila
(Tequila, Jalisco, MX)  80° proof


Aroma: Cooked pineapple, dried apricot, dried papaya, pear, canned pear, lime, citrus, citron, agave, cooked agave, roasted peppers, green pepper, green olive, vegetal, herbs, mint, spearmint, peppercorn, peppery, olive oil, rubber tree, flint, wet stones, mineral salts, musty, earthy, smoke.
Palate: Pineapple, ripe pear, green apple, citrus, sweet tropical fruit, smoked peaches, roasted agave, pure agave, vanilla, sweet creamy vanilla, sweet cream, sweet flan, white chocolate, licorice, anise, mint, grassy, juniper, herbal, cumin, green pepper, cinnamon Red Hots, spicy, white pepper, earthy, creamy, silky, smooth.
Finish: Gentle round agave, earthy agave notes, torched limes, honey, vanilla, black licorice, eucalyptus, wintergreen, fennel, bell pepper, bay leaf, cinnamon, white pepper, musty, subtle brine, lightly smoky, zesty, nice, delicate, elegant, smooth & creamy.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Anteel Blanco Tequila



Mar Azul Silver Tequila
(Amatitán, Lowlands, Jalisco, MX)  80° proof

Aroma: Pineapple, toasted coconut, berry gum, baked agave, minty lime, spearmint, eucalyptus, anise, green pepper, lightly vegetal, fresh cut grass, sweet herbs, dried herbs, tea, floral, cinnamon, clove, pepper, slightly briny, salty air, ocean breeze, charred oak, oaky, cappuccino, margarita cocktail, savory.
Palate: Vanilla, cocoa, cappuccino, pineapple, cherry, fig, pear, citrus, red apple, apple pie, dried fruit, classic agave, rich agave, palm, vegetal, evergreen, green olive, peppers, fresh fennel, anise, licorice, mint, gentle spearmint, herbs, cinnamon, nutmeg, spice, peppercorns, earthiness, light toast, sandalwood, oak, rich.
Finish: Sweet cream, chocolate, pineapple, fennel, root beer, wintergreen, cinnamon, spicy green pepper, slightly peppery, wet stone, earthy, coal oven fire, hot summer night, soft, smooth, creamy, rich.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Mar Azul Silver Tequila



Hotel California Blanco Tequila
(Zapotanejo, Jalisco, MX)  80° proof

Aroma: Vanilla, cream, sweet cream, date puree, coffee cake, corn flower, floral, agave, anise, hints of fennel, green olive, vegetal, fresh picked mint, spearmint, herbal, grassy, plant leaves, peppery, earth, wet stone, water’s edge, clean, soft.
Palate: Caramel, chocolate, cocoa, toffee, white toffee, nougat, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla bean, vanilla, creamy vanilla, cream, cream soda, mango, sweet carrots, cooked apple, roasted lime, lemon, lime, orange, citrus, mint, basil, sandalwood, spices, pepper, pink peppercorn, white pepper, sweet cream, oak, pastry, earthy, mineral, bright, creamy.
Finish: Papaya, banana peel, whipped cream, agave, green beans, vegetal, cut grass, hints of citrus, gently herbal, tobacco leaf, spicy, peppery, black pepper, faint salinity, earthy, woodsy, smoky, oak, cedar, great mouthfeel, clean, complex, charming.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Hotel California Blanco Tequila



Don Nacho Extra Premium Blanco Tequila
(San Ignacio Cerro Gordo, Jalisco, MX)  80° proof.

Aroma: Caramel, crème brûlée, cream, sweet cream, buttermilk, vanilla, cream soda, powdered sugar, caramel popcorn, sweet agave, cooked agave, roasted pepper, honeyed herbs, wintergreen, wintermint, peppermint, grassy, dill, fennel, tarragon, sandalwood, dried herbs, peppery, earthy, tree sap, rich.
Palate: Nougat, toffee, chocolate, white toffee, creamy vanilla, vanilla cream, vanilla, cream, whipped cream, cream soda, honey, creamy honey, dried fig, dried fruit, papaya, red apple, pear, fennel, licorice, spearmint, complex balance of herbal notes, nutty, clove, peppercorns, white pepper, black pepper, nice blend of flavors, salivatory, mouth-watering, smooth, velvety.
Finish: Vanilla, white chocolate, honey, orange, citrus, agave, peppers, chives, mint, angelica, herbaceous, allspice, oregano, spice, touch of tobacco, woodsy, cedar, oak, complex, extremely smooth, delicious.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Don Nacho Extra Premium Blanco Tequila



Rock N Roll Platinum Silver Tequila
(Los Altos, Jalisco, MX)  80° proof

Aroma: Vanilla, clotted cream, pears in honey, caramelized fruit, tangerine, lime, lime peel, citrus peel, citrus, delicate apple skin, agave, roasted red peppers, juniper, tomato leaf, cilantro, anise, mint, floral, sandalwood, black pepper, slight brine, earthy, dried sumac, fresh cut pine, woody, oak, clean.
Palate: Nougat, powdered sugar, vanilla, cream soda, cotton candy, honey, pineapple, papaya, mango, mixed berry compote, melon, touch of apricot, honeyed herbs, real agave, roasted agave, roasted limes, anise, green pepper, grassy, menthol, clove, sandalwood, black pepper, tortilla, earthy, wood, dark wood, sweet, clean, balanced.
Finish: Coconut, chocolate, dried papaya, smooth herbal, mint, green pepper, vegetal, spice, complex, pleasantly warm, well balanced, creamy, rich mouthfeel, drink neat.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Rock N Roll Platinum Silver Tequila



El Tequileño Blanco Tequila
(Tequila, Jalisco, MX)  80° proof

Aroma: Fresh pineapple, papaya, peach, citrus, tamarind, strawberry, raspberry, Juicy Fruit gum, brown sugar, cherry pits, plantain, popcorn kernels, barley, hint of anise, licorice, gum, lightly floral, grass, wheat grass, pink peppercorns, pepper, mineral oil, briny, smoky, clean & fresh.
Palate: Pineapple, papaya, peach, pear, strawberry, watermelon, strong lime notes, citrus, roasted tropical fruit, rich agave, honey, vanilla, flowers, fennel, anise, mint, slightly vegetal, white pepper, briny, great earth, smoke, mineral oil, wet stone, creamy mouth feel, very flavorful, rich, smooth.
Finish: Caramel, touch of vanilla, pineapple, papaya, honey, bubble gum, tropical flowers, watermelon martini, complex pepper, earthy, extra smooth, pleasant, refreshing, great.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



 El Tequileño Blanco Tequila



El Mayor Tequila Blanco
(Arandas, Jalisco, MX)  80° proof

Aroma: Vanilla, cream soda, cooked corn, biscuits, honey, fresh picked apples, baked agave, cooked agave, earthy agave, aloe vera, vegetal, touch of fennel, grass, herbal, Ceylon cinnamon, pepper, pottery, savory sandalwood, autumn leaves, light smoke, oak, cedar.
Palate: Vanilla, whipped cream, sweet cream, dates, pineapple, hint of tropical fruit, red apple, fresh lime, vegetal, fennel, anise, bison grass, grassy, mint, basil, dried herbs, herbal, soft baked herbs, cinnamon, clove, light spice, pepper, peppery bite, black peppered steak, earthy, smoky, complex, gentle, rich, smooth.
Finish: Caramel, cream, agave, vegetal, pineapple, Welch’s grape jelly, mint, complex spices, pepper, black pepper, woody, balanced, well made, clean, smooth, creamy, tasty, delicious, amazing.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



El Mayor Tequila Blanco



SILVER MEDAL WINNERS

Corcel Blanco Tequila
(Tesistán, Zapopan, Jalisco, MX)  80° proof

Aroma: Pineapple, papaya, cantaloupe, figs, tropical fruit, berry notes, fresh picked apples, lemony, Lifesavers candy, cherry cola, toffee, violet, flowers, grassy, dried leaves, agave, earth, woody notes.
Palate: Baked caramel, heavy cream, cocoa, café au lait, brown sugar, banana bread, honey, baked apple, papaya, mango, rich tropical fruit, black cherry, cherry Lifesavers, dark plum, fresh mixed berries, green apple, floral, mint, licorice, hazelnut, lightly vegetal, cinnamon, clove, spice, peppery, creamy mouthfeel, very smooth.
Finish: Cherry, apple, nougat, cappuccino, spices, pepper, peppercorn, white pepper, very approachable, nice, smooth, soft & creamy, great for after dinner, extremely well made.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Corcel Blanco Tequila



Insólito Blanco Tequila
(Los Altos, Jalisco, MX)  80° proof

Aroma: Butterscotch, chocolate, dried fruit, cooked berries, mango, banana, pear, apple, agave, cooked agave, roasted pepper, green beans, vegetal, mint, spearmint, cut grass, lilac, floral, dried herbs, hops, clove, sweet funk, earth, lovely.
Palate: Vanilla, nougat, dry cocoa, cane sugar, red apple, green apple, Anjou pear, cooked pears, fresh mango, fresh fig, bright with ripe citrus, Juicy Fruit gum, light agave, red pepper, green pepper, fennel, vegetal, subtle herbs, mint, cinnamon, clove, spice, peppercorn, white pepper, earthy, salty, maritime, ultra-smooth, creamy, pleasant.
Finish: Vanilla, cooked plantain, poached pear, green apple, fennel, grassy agave, mint, herbs, tarragon, spice, jalapeño, peppercorns, white pepper, black pepper, mineral, cedar, well balanced, smooth, silky, welcoming, delicious.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Insólito Blanco Tequila



Hiatus Tequila Blanco
(Tequila, Jalisco, MX)  80° proof

Aroma: Ripe plantain, rich papaya, apricot, honeydew, starfruit, Bosc pear, cooked red apple, caramel apple, vegetal, agave, green beans, anise, licorice, mint, sweet herb, floral, burned cinnamon, nutmeg, bacon, brine, flint, mineral, earthy, wet grass, moss, soil, farm field, light smoke, char, cedar.
Palate: Creamy vanilla, cream soda, pineapple, toasted pineapple, roasted pineapple, sweet guava, honeydew, fig, green plantains, green apple, baked apple, roasted agave, earthy agave, honey, honeyed herb, herbaceous, grassy, cut grass, fauna, green pepper, mint, fennel, licorice, mocha, cinnamon, clove, spice, pepper, soft, light smoke, charred pine, clean.
Finish: Agave, toasted agave, vegetal, anise, grass, mint, cinnamon, tarragon, spicy, white pepper, nice pepper notes, roasty, earth, pine, cedar, well balanced, soft, pleasant, delicious, perfect.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Hiatus Tequila Blanco



David Reyes Silver Tequila
(Tototlán, Jalisco, MX)  80° proof

Aroma: Ripe banana, papaya, pear, subtle citrus, brûlée-d figs, sugarcane, powdered sugar, cinnamon biscuit, caramel, cocoa, agave, lightly floral, licorice, mint, cut grass, dill, green beans, green bell pepper, cracked pepper, peppercorn, white wine, butter rum, earthy, savory.
Palate: Asian pear, poached pear, green apple, stewed apple, honeydew melon, peach, light citrus, young pineapple, roasted pineapple, raisins, honey, toffee, cane sugar, cereal, sweet hay, fresh cut grass, snap peas, green olive, vegetal notes, anise, licorice, mint, cinnamon, spice, peppercorn, white pepper, sea salt, smoke, pine, creamy, lingering savory notes.
Finish: Green bell pepper, snap peas, green grass, anise, mint, herb, oregano, green peppercorns, white pepper, black pepper, subtle clove, vanilla, wormwood, earthy, balanced, smooth, pleasant, elegant.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



David Reyes Silver Tequila



El Rey Silver Tequila
(El Arenal, Jalisco, MX)  80° proof

Aroma: Cream soda, cream, chocolate, root beer, tropical, orange blossom, herbal, herbaceous, mint, mint leaves, anise, grassy, raw agave, tobacco, clove, vegetal, Castelvetrano olives, pickled peppers, sweet brine, salty, musty, smoky, forest, after rain, aromatic.
Palate: Nougat, cream, honey, confectioners’ sugar, cookie dough, toasty cookie, pineapple, banana, watermelon, lemon, lemon peel, citrus, orange blossom, tropical, herbal, herbaceously green, anise, mint, spearmint, lightly vegetal, toasted cinnamon bark, spice, peppercorn, peppery, mineral notes, wet stones, earthy, sandalwood, woodsy, cedar, a kick of oak, creamy, smooth, rich.
Finish: Pineapple, citrus, lingering honey, rose, wild flower, floral, green leaf, sandalwood, tobacco, spicy, good pepper notes, lingering pepper, mineral, woody, complex, clean, delicate, smooth, tasty.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



El Rey Silver Tequila



Padre Azul Tequila Silver
(Amatitán, Lowlands, Jalisco, MX)  80° proof

Aroma: Caramel, chocolatey, creamy vanilla, cream, sweet cream, condensed milk, curdled milk, powdered sugar, honey, banana, rosewater, hibiscus, floral, red pepper, green olives, tapenade, plantains, roasted jalapeño, white pepper, brine, beef, aged parmesan cheese, straw fields, tobacco, wet moss, sweet & sour, funky, rich, savory.
Palate: Ripe pineapple, guava, mango, ripe banana, durian fruit, orange, sweet cherry, sweet tropical fruit, fig puree, honey, apple candy, cotton candy, dark sugar, chocolate, sweet cream, creamy vanilla, earthy agave, mint gum, buckwheat, rare steak, Jamaican rum, esters, tangy, savory, very rich.
Finish: Banana, Bananas Foster, banana candy, strawberry, molasses, sweet sugar, chewing gum, hints of cucumber, dry plantain, pepper, red pepper, lingering pepper, slight earthiness, esters, rum-like, extra smooth, creamy, interesting.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Padre Azul Tequila Silver

 

 

 


 

Tequila History:
Like Mexican culture itself, tequila is the result of a creative encounter between two worlds, although it is likely that Mexicans would not be inclined to refer to it as creative as much as confrontational, an imposition and, reluctantly, a conquering. The ancient indigenous peoples of this romantic country drank the fermented juice of the agave in the same way that Europeans drank beer or wine. In colonial times, the Spanish came, they saw, and they introduced the distillation process to obtain the liquor now known as tequila. It may be referred to in some circles as Montezuma's Legacy, but the fact of the matter is that it was crafted and refined by the Spanish who, while spreading their culture, were intent upon maintaining their love of intemperance and serious drinking.

 

AgaveHow Tequila is Made: Tequila is a spirit made by fermenting and distilling the juice of the Blue Weber Agave plant. If you are getting ready for that next tasting party at your home or simply are desirous of furthering your education about Tequila, know that it takes 8 to 10 years for a blue agave plant to reach maturity. It is grown in an officially delimited region of west-central Mexico in the five states of Jalisco, Nayarit, Tamaulipas, Guanajuato, and Michoacán. The blue agave, contrary to what many are led to believe, is not part of the cactus family, so stop looking around the deserts of Arizona to impress those traveling with you. mezcal, interestingly enough, is the Aztec word for the agave plant but it is not a Tequila, although Mezcal comes from the agave plant it is from outside the delimited area. All Tequila is mezcal, but not all Mezcal is Tequila.


The juice-filled cores are then harvested, trimmed, cut in quarters, baked in steam ovens until their starch converts to sugar, at which point they are pumped into fermentation tanks and combined with cane sugar and yeast. So much for the calorie count. The more sugar that is added (up to 49% of the mixture) the less pungent the tequila will be. Sugar is never added to the fermentation of 100% blue agave tequilas. If it doesn't say 100% agave, it can still be called “tequila”, but it’s considered a “mixto”.

All tequilas are double distilled in pot stills (a few utilize a triple distillation, and several use a continuous still), and the second distillation converts the liquor into clean, white high-proof spirit. This tequila is filtered and its alcohol strength adjusted with demineralized water that brings it to its bottling proof, (usually 80). The end product must be - make that should be – at least 51% derived from that plant, although most bottles will be labeled 100%.

 

tequila shot
Types of Tequila:
– Blanco, (also referred to as White, Silver, and Plata) is colorless, with little or no aging. Blancos are usually bottled right after distillation, and are a great choice for mixed drinks. Blanco tequila comprises about 86% of the Mexican market.
– Joven (or Suave or Gold) is un-aged tequila to which select cane sugar or caramels have been added for that tawny color you occasionally see (mixtos). Jovens can also be a blend of blanco and reposado tequilas, and allowed to settle in the tanks for a few weeks before bottling. They are also perfect for mixed drinks and tend to taste a little sweeter than Blanco.
Reposado is aged in wood tanks or barrels for at least two months, but no longer than one year, as required by the Mexican government. Many reposados average six months.
Añejo must have at least one year in wood. Each distillery has its own preference for the type of barrel used in aging. Most are made from French oak or white oak. It is proper to order an Añejo straight up, and sip it slowly so it can best be enjoyed.
– The newest classification is Extra-Añejo, which are aged for more than 3 years.
– All tequilas start out as Blanco, with portions set aside for aging.

 

The word "tequila" is owned by the Mexican government. Tequila labels usually bear the letters- NOM (Norma Official Mexicana) which are the initials of the Mexican government agency and serves as a quality seal to verify that the tequila conforms to the laws and standards governing tequila production. Examine the bottle's label for it. In general, 100% agave means better quality, flavour, taste & purity, with no additives. In 1995, 100% agave represented only 15% of the entire production of tequilas. Today, 100% agave tequilas represent more than 60% of the total production.

 

The Art of Tasting Tequila: The Tequila Shake – Don’t swirl, place your hand over the mouth of the glass and shake the liquid to release its aroma. Drink at room temperature to judge the products properly.

 

 

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