Review: Gran Centenario Plata, Reposado, and Gallardo Tequila (2024)
We’ve covered the gamut of Gran Centenario Tequila releases over the years — dating back to 2008 – and today we continue to fill out our coverage. That includes a fresh look at the distillery’s blanco/plata tequila (our third review of it), our first-ever review of Gran Centenario Reposado, and a special review of Gran Centenario Gallardo, a new Extra Anejo with a unique aging regimen. Let’s dig in!
All are 80 proof. NOM 1122.
Gran Centenario Plata Tequila (2024) – Mellowed for 28 days in oak barrels before bottling. No real changes from prior tasting notes. The nose is bold and rustic, heavy with greenery and bracing agave notes. Peppery and laced with spice. The palate again shows how even a small amount of barrel time can impact the flavor of a tequila. Mellowed with caramel and vanilla, but still plenty spicy, later mildly floral on the finish. No complaints. B+ / $28 [BUY IT NOW FROM RESERVEBAR] [BUY IT NOW FROM CASKERS]
Gran Centenario Reposado Tequila – Rested in new American oak casks for an unstated length of time. Very unusual, with a quite fruity nose that evokes red berries and hibiscus and follows it up with aromas of mint and rosemary. Brighter and sweeter-smelling than the Plata, this expression lacks the agave-driven aromatic urgency of the less-aged expression. The palate comes across similarly — quite sweet, with notes of brown sugar, almonds, and a touch of coconut. The juicy attack makes way for some peppery heat on the finish, but this is fleeting as the tequila retreats back to sweeter territory. B+ / $38 [BUY IT NOW FROM RESERVEBAR] [BUY IT NOW FROM CASKERS]
Gran Centenario Gallardo Tequila – An extra anejo, but not formally billed as such. Named in honor of Centenario founder Don Lázaro Gallardo, this release is aged in American and French oak barrels for more than 3 years, then finished in Bordeaux wine barrels. I tasted this against a vibrant Leyenda and my if it isn’t a much different animal. More brooding and much heartier, the nose evokes Cognac as much as tequila, with heavy layers of baking spice, cloves, dried figs, and potpourri. Lots of old leather here, evoking an austere, ruddy aromatic experience. On the palate, elements of Mexican chocolate, coconut, and vanilla all provide a seductive attack that would feel perfect in a spin on a Carajillo cocktail, only to be complemented as they evolve by a hefty level of spice — baking spice with a little dusting of red pepper on top. The finish is lengthy and soothing, Nutella-adjacent, with a long, mint chocolate note lingering. I wouldn’t pay the asking price for this, but it certainly is a delight. 679 bottles produced. A / $600 [BUY IT NOW FROM RESERVEBAR]
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