El Jimador Blanco Tequila

As I was restocking the bar and looking for budget friendly options, it was very easy to reach for this familiar tequila produced by my very favorite tequila distillery. For me, El Jimador has mostly been in cocktails, but very easy to detect with it's bright citrus and vegetal notes that were not overpowering as equally as they were not unique or special. I'm excited to try this alone, as well as have a very inexpensive Herradurra-quality tequila to make a paloma with, right after this tasting. Very strong raw agave on the nose right off the bat, with the ethanol burning hotter than it should for this minimum proof tequila. There's a pinch of salt, and as I pull away, I get roasted veggies, like basic vegetal notes and carbon combined. There's nothing else that sticks out to me (yet), as expected from the simplicity of the El Jimador line. My first thought on tasting was that it's very watery, but honestly not far off the 80 proof expectation. I thought the flavors would be really muted because of this, but they do pick up eventually, imparting agave, assorted raw veggies with a focus on corn and tomato, oddly enough, and a pinch of salt. Going back for further sips brings up some light black pepper. The finish is light on the tongue, but sticks around for a mild gum burn that turns the black pepper into white pepper. Look, as weird as it may sound, the vegetal and salt notes, combined with a very fresh agave flavor, makes me think of the basics for Mexican food: chips and salsa. This tequila is so simple, yet delivers an image and flavor profile so vivid and complimenting that it's shocking, but still very delicious. I can picture upping the quality of the base agave and other parts of the distillation process to really enhance these wonderful basic necessities (aka Herradurra itself), but if you were looking for something to really represent tequila and agave without breaking the bank, look no further. I'd love to try the aged version for an affordable reposado comparison, but given that Herradurra blanco is actually still aged just a bit, I believe this El Jimador blanco may actually be a better representation of the unaged tequila this distillery has to offer.

Similar to Espolon's Blanco, but drier and more forward with the menthol. Some pineapple is hiding out here and it is mixed with nutmeg, ginger, and white pepper. The drink is enjoyable, though the minerals and menthol puts it behind Espolon Blanco. Since they are in the same price range, get Espolon Blanco instead. Yeah, it has some mint and anise notes. This is a decent tequila at a decent price. The finish is inoffensive. The nose is surprisingly tropical and fruity with some earthy notes, but generally a light minerality the palate is surprisingly viscous with some prickly spice and prevalent mint throughout. The flavor is light with a lot of mineral, but it's not bad. There's a little bit of rubber, but just a hint. It's not very interesting or complex, but it would be a good mixer. It's sweeter than 3 Amigos, but lacks the richness and complexity (not that there is much) with the caramel, vanilla presence. The earth and anise really save this, but it's just not very complex. It gives me a weird Irish whiskey vibe with its bitterness and oiliness. I would not want to sip this, but it can pass for mixing. It has that young flavor that reminds me of Balcones Baby Blue a bit :( It's not awful, but not a very good tequila. It does avoid that 1800 blanco mildewed cardboard taste though. This is a tremendous improvement on 1800 Blanco.

Tasting neat room temp. Clear and average coating legs in the glass. Nose is lime, salt, and sweet grass with a little marshy funk. In the mouth, thin feel, clean/neutral, saline, a little dry lime and damp wood--kinda funky. More flavors bloom in the finish--light ethanol, baking spice, and grassy flavors through a fairly long finish that tingles and turns a little lime peel bitter/sour, then saline, then cleanly disappears. Perfectly fine to mix, less interesting to sip.

I don't normally care for lowland tequilas, but I got a 200mL bottle of this just to compare with the reposado I opened last year which was decent. The nose is hot, sharp, and salty, with pink grapefruit but also an underlying sweet putty. The palate has a similar dynamic, about 1/3 sweet (agave and stone fruit) and 2/3 salt and pepper. The finish is mineral and dry. Good for margaritas.

I could drink this straight or on ice all night long. Smooth, rich, and balanced between earthy and fruity, with very little pepper flavor. Surprised a tequila this nice isn’t harder to find or more expense. Good as a ranch water but not as good as a peppery Hornitos silver in a marg or paloma cocktail.

About as cheap a bottle as you can get with 100% agave. Some grassy/earthy agave flavor and a bunch of white pepper. Not as much burn as I was expecting. Not great for sipping but good to have around for margaritas and Palomas.