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I tried two batches ( 5 & 6) that couldn’t be more different. My published score reflects my preferred Batch 6, while Batch 5 earned an 88 from me. Batch 5 feels like it came from a newer barrel—probably first or second use. It shows heavier barrel influence right away, starting with a richer color. The nose is oak forward with pronounced stone fruit notes, giving it a deeper, more layered aroma. Batch 6, likely aged in a second or third use barrel, still has oak but it’s lighter and crisper. The nose is more agave driven, with a fresh brightness and some mineral funk that keeps it lively. On the palate, Batch 5 stays true to its nose: oak, vanilla, and stone fruit dominate. It’s incredibly smooth, not too thick, but with a mouthfeel I really appreciated. Batch 6 brings sweet agave upfront, balanced by oak, pepper, and a touch of salinity. You can still find stone fruit and baking spices, but the agave shines through without being overshadowed. The finish on Batch 5 is super smooth with warm, lingering spices, think cinnamon and clove. But mostly it’s that incredible barrel sweetness that stands out. Batch 6 finishes equally smooth but with a brighter, sharper spice note, contrasting the warmer baking spices of Batch 5. That brightness really won me over. Final thoughts: Batch 5 feels like a bourbon lover’s XA, and that’s a compliment, not a criticism. It’s rich, smooth, and comforting. Batch 6 is a tequila lover’s XA. It’s agave forward, vibrant, and layered. It’s my personal favorite, but honestly, I’d enjoy either batch any day of the week.
BEST BLANCO I'VE EVER TRIED! ROBERT DENTON IMPORTS tasted 2018/2019 tasted again at john welch's feb 18, 2023 mexican 1 liter from 2003/2004 excellent !!! Thank you @seattlejuan
Roses on the nose. Cherry, so sweet. Candy cane. On the palate it is definitely El Tesoro profile. I get vanilla, oak, barrel spices, some earthiness. Butterscotch. Good finish. Nice XA
To help ease your shopping experience, we decided to see how well bottles $50 and under would perform against bottles $100 and over in the only fair way we know how. That’s right, we’re talking about a blind taste test!
Sorting through the options can be overwhelming, which is why we always opt to trust the experts. To get their take on a workhorse option, we asked bartenders to share with us their go-to tequilas.
The 12 finalists are tequilas that offer vibrant and varied aromas and flavors with good texture and a pleasing aftertaste.
Here's the reason for the añejo and extra añejo shortage that you probably didn't know was coming.
Tequila's success has created an enormous strain, imperiling the health and viability of the blue Weber agave on which tequila depends, as well as the farmers who grow it.
Lou cracks open one of the most rare and cherished tequilas made. Watch as he goes nuts tasting it.
In a "You Can't Take It With You" episode, Lou opens up a 70th Anniversary bottle of El Tesoro de Don Felipe Extra Añejo.
Lou Agave talks about why he likes El Tesoro products, including this añejo.
One hundred percent. The term seems straight forward enough. You see it listed on labels constantly. But in the case of 100 percent blue agave tequila, you shouldn’t be so sure.
Each tequila has its own "flavor fingerprint," and each person has his or her own flavor preferences. Our propietary matching algorithm uses nine different characteristics to find the best matches for you. And, it gets smarter the more you use it. Download the app today - it's free - and let the Tequila Matchmaker figure out your own flavor preferences.
smoke (? where does this come from - the barrel char? = not from the productuon methods), some oak, barrel spices, mild caramel, minerality. on the nose, in the background, i did get that traditional ET bubblegum/banana