El Jimador Reposado Tequila

Update: I don't know why I ever wires such a complimentary first paragraph. A citrus and toffee delight that expands upon most Blanco tequilas. There is menthol for sure and there are relatively few flavors, but this tequila makes an impact and I want to drink more. It's sweet and tastes briefly like tang and grape soda, but it's fun and tasty. I like this reposado, even though it is not sound in the traditional dimensions. There isn't a ton of agave flavor here and there isn't a bunch of wood either. Other anejos taste more like they came from plants grown in the ground, but this reposado is fun. Sure, the meaty smoke mixed with vegetal notes is missing, but it's fun! Compared to Don Julio 1952, this is mild and full of mineral flavor. On the other hand though, it is sweet and fun. It may not be totally refines, but this is a worthwhile tequila. There's a hint of anise that gives it richness, but it doesn't interfere sith the overall flavor. This is a balanced drink. The flavors at the front are mild toffee and citrus mixed with alcohol. The alcohol is fairly overwhelming, though it eventually tastes like minerals. The finish has a nice sweet flavor, but the alcohol and minerals overwhelm the mild good flavors. There isn't much depth here. I initially liked this better than the Blanco, but now I prefer the Blanco. The nose has the lightness, but also the fruity sweetness and spice. The palate has a fun tingling spice to it with some sweet caramel that is light by not sickly. Some tropical fruit notes like mango and papaya come through. It's sweet and smooth, but also light and not all that complex. There's a tad of barrel and some vanilla. This would go great in a margarita. It's not the best thing out there, but it's smooth with a lot of tequila flavors and a nice fruity sweetness. It's good. The Blanco is a bit edgier with more vanilla sweetness. The Blanco is good too, but this is more rich and full. It's an improvement, though not a terrific sipper. It beats Hornitos Reposado in terms of subtlety, though in terms of punch it is lacking and it's too light. It tastes a little bit better than Hornitos Reposado, but it's still in the low end. Actually, I'm going back and forth on them. This has some more interesting rolling complexity throughout, but it lacks the richness with some water added. Neither is any Herradura Reposado though.

Rating: 10/23 N: This immediately reminds me of Cuervo Gold with a cedar presence mixed with confectioner's sugar and a tad of citrus. There's a bit more herbal presence here that has some subtlety and natural tequila scent, but the main impression is Cuervo Gold. Not a great start. P: This palate is much better than that of Cuervo Gold. It's fuller and smoother with a more genuine tasting light caramel sweetness that might or might not be real agave but definitely is less like confectioner's sugar. There's something surprisingly bitter and meaty like in Corralejo Reposado, yet the flavor is still fairly light. I get a light dusting of mint in here. This strikes me as sort of like tequila, but not super convincing because it has that Cuervo Gold profile as well. It's moderately complex, but the balance is fairly out of whack. The anejo is fuller and substantially more balanced. There's an occasional note of tomato, but it is quick to vanish. F: I get confectioner's sugar, but also some cedar, hints of agave, and so on. Like with Cuervo Gold, this is the low point of this tequila, but it isn't super low like it is with Cuervo Gold. This isn't a good tequila. The fact that I've been comparing it with Cuervo Gold should make that no surprise. It is significant'y worse than the anejo as well without costing much less, so I would never recommend getting this. It's substantially smoother with less alcohol and a better, fuller profile than Cuervo, so there is no doubt that this is a far better tequila. Still, it tastes kind of wrong. An 11 would probably be too generous, but an 8 would be too severe for sure. I think a 10 is about where this belongs.

What's your vacation drink of choice? I've been enjoying a few days off of the corporate hustle and while I can't travel to a beach right now, I'll soak in the sun, close my eyes and sip tequila. I had not seen this bottle of El Jimador Reposado in a while since I tend to keep taller bottles to the back of my bar for aesthetics. The Jimadores (harvesters) cut each agave heart (piña) by hand with a sharp tool (coa). The agave hearts are then roasted in a clay oven before fermentation and double distillation. The spirit is then rested in oak bourbon barrels for two months prior to bottling. El Jimador Reposado's nose offers agave, a bit of tangy lime and a savory quality like fresh butter. Later on, I can pick out soft floral notes like lilac, cedar and more fresh citrus. This is a mild tequila. It begins with brief vanilla sweetness that pivots. You still sense the familiar ramp up to bite that tends to induce wincing facial expressions, but it feels more like going over a speed bump than a cliff. I can taste wisps of menthol threaded through cooked agave, spices and oak. The finish is long but pleasant: Herbal and sweet. It doesn't offer some of the substance and personality that other tequilas might offer but at the low price point, this would fit nicely in mixed drinks (or be a less abrasive option to sip straight at 40% ABV).  6.75/10

Today we’re drinking tequila because the wife wanted cookies and margaritas, and because I’m a good husband who buys too much whisky, I’m happy to indulge her. This is very reasonably priced and highly rated, and before I drown it in margarita mix and Tajin I thought I’d see what I’m getting myself into. The nose is delightful! Cooked agave (duh), vanilla, hint of spice, no hint of ethanol. Similar entry on the palate. It’s smooth and coating going down, with a bit of a nip in the back palate. The finish is sugar sweet and lasts surprisingly long given the low proof. This isn’t a complex Anejo Tequila or a funky adventure of a Mezcal, but this is a delightful and affordable workhorse tequila for cold drinks on a hot Texas weekend afternoon. I like reposado tequila for Margs especially because there’s a good balance of funky agave and some barrel influence without being too oaky. Check it out. Cheers!

Keep in mind I know next to nothing about tequila! The nose is briny and salty; it smells lime-green, if that's possible. A bit of bar soap (I don't think it's my own hand), and just a smidge of apple-jam preserves like my grandma used to break out on Easter Sunday. The taste is Lemon-drop candies, and what I can only assume is the agave, because it reminds me of aloe. There is a metallic taste in the middle which comes out of nowhere. The finish is a definite lemon meringue experience, with a very stainless steel metal finish. Some tannic barrel bitterness that dovetails with a little pucker. I had been using this one for margaritas (where it did a terrific job) but it does just fine on its own, Clark.

Probably one of the best buys out there, based on my rather limited experience with tequila. The sweet agave flavor is distinct with a hint of wood vanilla pepper spice on the end. It is smooth enough to be sipped, and is excellent in any tequila mixed drink I have tried. I know there are much better and MUCH more expensive tequilas out here, but this is a great everyday bar companion. By the way, I don't "do shots," I want to taste my drink--not throw it down my throat.