Lunazul Reposado Tequila

I've always been fairly impressed with Lunazul for what is offered at it's extremely affordable price point, and am surprised to not have reviewed my favorite age level of what they offer. I remember when Lunazul was first released to the market, and how their blanco kicked Cuervo to the curb, and all of a sudden cheap margaritas became much more fresh and enjoyable, at least to this very ignorant tequila drinker at the time. Even today I find myself reaching for Lunazul when I need a tequila to bring to a party or a family gathering; despite being low cost, it's a quality 100% agave spirit that avoids the dreaded mixto hangover, and helps me to save my more expensive spirits for other gatherings. Looking at the Distiller posting, I definitely prefer the old label pattern and art to this new one, but the modern look does draw you in and creates a fairly nice aire of quality. I don't think there's any other proper way to compare it: the extremely light body and just bare hue make this the color of straight unleaded gasoline. Thankfully, the nose is much more refined, with classic notes of roasted green veggies, but with a sugary sweetness and even a touch of cocoa. The cracked black pepper I associate with the unaged version is missing here, but the fresh veggie note remains, this time being enveloped by the slight caramel and wood sugars of the bourbon barrel. As expected, the body is very watery, but the real shock here is how aggressive and raw the agave hits, with only the tiniest barrel sweetness to calm it down. Worse still, there's quite a burn that begins building quickly, which is also unexpected at this proof. The finish is unpleasant and could really benefit from salt and/or lime, which is never a good sign if it's truly needed. Well, this didn't end very well here. For a 6 month reposado, I expected more barrel flavor, whereas this tastes like the blanco was poured into a glass using a barrel stave as a bar spoon. What's really the most confusing part is how the blanco Lunazul really is approachable and a wonderful alternative to the poor quality well tequilas or tequila mixtos, but the mark was truly missed on this one. Unfortunately, it does make me curious if the añejo improves and delivers on the barrel notes, considering time is likely the only difference. Since the price point is still likely the same across the board, I would suggest going for the blanco and maybe that fancy Rittenhouse barrel-aged reposado if you can find it, to be weary of the añejo, and to avoid this reposado.

Rating: 12/23 N: Floral, mineral, sweet. A bit on the light side. A little bit of vanilla and wood, but it maintains some of that classic agave character as well, bringing in a little bit of herbal and vegetal scent. Not bad, but it does all end up a bit light and muddled. P: There's more presence here than on the nose, with a richer, more bitter agave character coming out. It's still quite floral with a clean spring water mineral sweetness, so it's better for a refreshing summer margarita than a fall or winter dram. I get a little bit of wet cardboard, but it kind of works. It's nowhere near as extreme as in Gran Centenario Reposado or San Matias Legado Blanco. There's a little bit of spice in here as well, with cinnamon being the most prominent flavor. This does have more of that agave tartness and saltiness than El Major Añejo does. F: The finish isn't all that rich. It's kind of sweet and papery with some spring water mixed with a dash of vegetal and light caramel flavor. It's inoffensive, but pretty bland. Like Lunazul Blanco, I initially find myself quite impressed by this one. I get a fair amount of character to it and there's perhaps a tad more complexity even now that there's that little bit of wood in this. Still, in comparison with other tequilas, it's light and a bit flat. I'm looking at the 11 to 13 range for this one. There's enough complexity that I think it at least avoids a 10 and there's nothing particularly bad about it flavor-wise, but it kind of falls flat with too much light mineral character. It really just leaves me wanting something with more character. I prefer El Mayor for its richness, but the gap isn't as large as I might have thought (probably just 1 point, but there's a bit too much ethanol coming out in this, so it could be 2 points). I've compared this with Cabo Wabo Blanco and El Mayor Añejo and determined that I like this the least of the three. It is therefore a 12 at best, but, unfortunately, I really think it's an 11. I'm still very borderline though. I've been doing a lot of cross-category comparisons against bourbon with these three, so I might as well continue. I would probably take this over Ancient Age, but I would prefer Evan Williams Bottled In Bond. Neither is far closer than the other, so that puts this right in the 11 to 12 range. Considering that if anything I would raise the ratings of both Ancient Age and Evan Williams and that at times I though that this might match Cabo Wabo, I'll go ahead and give this a 12.

Rather light. The nose is agave, floral and oaky. On the palate all those are still noticeable and there is a bit of anise and black pepper on thr finish. Nothing remarkable, just an easy sipping “bottom shelf” Reposado. Not in the same league as Classe Azul Reposado. Not as good as El Jimador Reposado, but holds it owm against 1800, Hornitos, Teremana and Jose Cuervo Traditionale. I wouldn’t turn down a pour of any of these.

There was a time that I thought I did not like tequila because I had only had Jose Cuervo. But having a nice agave, Reposado tequila makes me know that I actually really, really like Tequila. This is salty, with a tad of barrel wood remnants. I don't know that I can pick out a lot of tequila flavors yet, and yet I find this very pleasant straight from the glass, no mixers.

Like the blanca, this Lunazul tequila is a flavorful bargain price tequila without too much of an ethanol burn and no bad aftertaste. The reposado has lots of pepper and grassy agave to it. Thinner than midshelf tequila, but great as a mixer and not bad straight. I’d choose this over 1800.

Sweet Agave, lime and soft vanilla notes on the nose. Lime. Cinnamon, Sweet agave nector, and vanilla fill the mouth. Finish is sweet with more cooked agave and cinnamon. A great mixer and good sipping tequila for under $20.