El Tequileno Reposado Tequila (750Ml)

Description

El Tequileño has been around since 1959, when Jorge Salles Cuervo launched the label in Tequila, Jalisco. The family still runs the La Guareña distillery under NOM 1108. They grow their own blue Weber agave in the Jalisco highlands, near Atotonilco and Tototlán. The piñas travel about four hours by truck to the distillery. Workers trim away the bitter cogollo before anything is cooked. The producer calls it one of Tequila’s best kept secrets. In 2019, Juan Antonio Salles was named a Gran Tequilero by the National Chamber of the Tequila Industry. That honor recognized a lifetime of work in tequila.

Cooking happens in steam autoclaves, a method the Salles family helped pioneer. Roller mills then pull out the sugars, using spring water from the extinct Tequila volcano. Fermentation takes place in open tanks, close to mango trees that are about 150 years old. The family credits the wild yeasts from those trees with extra character. The tequila is then double distilled in copper pot stills. UK retailer specs list no added sugar or flavorings. The result is a semi-modern tequila with a lot of old-school character.

This reposado rests for about three months in American oak. That short stay adds gentle sweetness without hiding the agave. On the nose you’ll find sweet cooked agave, vanilla, and a hint of toffee. Some tasters also pick up a soft wisp of smoke. Others mention dried grass and a little cracked pepper. Take a moment with the glass before you sip, since the aromas open slowly.

The palate stays light and only a little sweet. Cooked agave leads, with salted caramel, white pepper, and vanilla close behind. A touch of cedar and tobacco shows up as it opens. The finish is dry, with subtle oak and a gentle bit of spice. The body is light, so it never feels heavy or syrupy. Wine Enthusiast gave it 91 points and named it a Best Buy. Their panel also noted coconut, vanilla, and lemon cream, with ginger and white pepper at the end.

You can sip it neat at room temperature or pour it over a large cube. It also makes a fine margarita, Paloma, or tequila Old Fashioned. For a smoky twist, try an Oaxaca Old Fashioned. Stir 45 ml of this reposado with 15 ml of mezcal and a few drops of bitters. Finish it with a twist of orange zest. Because the oak is light, the agave stays clear in any mixed drink.

At the table, it goes well with grilled steak, roasted lamb, tacos al pastor, and enchiladas. Aged cheeses and charcuterie work nicely too. For dessert, pair it with dark chocolate or a rich caramel flan. Do you like a reposado where the agave still leads? Then this one is worth a spot on your shelf. Fans of heavily oaked, sweet tequilas may find it lighter than expected. Those who prefer a crisp blanco may enjoy it as a gentle first step into aged tequila.

Product Details

• UPC: 7501398100462
• Bottle Size: 750ml
• ABV: 38%
• Origin / Country: Jalisco Highlands, Mexico
• Type: Reposado Tequila
• Brand: El Tequileño
• Agave: 100% blue Weber agave from Atotonilco and Tototlán
• Distillery: La Guareña, NOM 1108
• Age Statement: About 3 months
• Cask Type: American oak
• Awards: Wine Enthusiast 91 points, Best Buy
• Recommended Pairing: Grilled steak, roasted lamb, tacos al pastor, enchiladas, aged cheeses, caramel flan
• Mixing Suggestion: Margarita, Paloma, tequila Old Fashioned
• Taste Profile: Cooked agave, salted caramel, white pepper, vanilla, light cedar and tobacco
• Aroma & Bouquet: Sweet cooked agave, vanilla, toffee
• Smooth & Finish: Dry, with subtle oak and gentle spice