Review: El Tequileno Reposado Gran Reserva

What makes a reposado and reposado gran reserva? El Tequileno‘s latest repo is aged for at least 8 months in American oak and is blended with a small amount of anejo. That’s distinguished from the distillery’s standard reposado, which is aged for 3 months, and its Reposado Rare bottling, which spends 6 years in a mammoth cask instead of a smaller barrel. (El Tequileno’s Anejo Gran Reserva is, you guessed it, blended with a little extra anejo stock, continuing the theme.)

Especially notable is the availability of this bottle clad in Mexican chaquira bead art, which makes for a truly striking appearance. (The standard glass bottle is far more common, unfortunately.)

El Tequileno Reposado Gran Reserva Review

Despite the addition of a splash of anejo, what hits the bottle here isn’t notably different from a standard reposado. The nose is boldly peppery and more in line with El Tequileno Still Strength blanco than the far fruitier Reposado Rare expression, layered with sharp lemon peel and some green spearmint. Black pepper and dried herbs add a punchy, enduring edge to the aromatics.

The palate is quite a bit softer, and that’s a good thing, as the harder punch of pepper and dried herbs could well have dominated on the tongue, becoming overwhelming. Instead, we’re treated to a lively rush of vanilla and caramel, plus a sweeter drop of lemon curd that evokes thoughts of lemon bars with a shredded coconut topping. Hints of chamomile tea and bergamot add some nuance, while a layer of white chocolate adds an even more dessert-like quality to the tequila, the spice on the finish more akin to soothing white pepper vs. harder black pepper or jalapeno.

While the nose and palate of this tequila don’t match up perfectly, the experience ultimately winds up as quite enchanting and immersive. If nothing else, I’m hanging on to it for the showstopper of a bottle.

80 proof. NOM 1108.

A- / $50

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