Maestro Dobel Diamante Tequila

Purchased on an impulse during a restocking run to my lls. I purchased a small assortment of plata tequilas to experiment with Tequila Martinis. 2 parts tequila, 1 part bianco or blanc vermouth and a couple dashes of bitters of some sort makes for a very good cocktail. Garnish with a lime medallion, lemon twist, olive or (my favorite) a big, fat caper. The Tequila Martini is simple, but also complex and boozy. This bottle of clear reposado was in a stack out marked down to $19.99 and the young lady at the register gave it her highest recommendation. How could I pass it by? Tasting notes from a neat pour in a grappa copita. The nose is pretty tame with prominent vanilla, some light cactus/agave notes, powdered sugar and alcohol. Honestly its not bad, but its also not that interesting. On the palate this is a sweet vanilla bomb with extremely light vegetation coloring the background. The pro reviewer hit it right with Good & Plenty candy. I definitely get that. Reticent doesn't begin to describe this profile, its downright limp. This is incredibly easy to drink, boring as hell and obsequious in a way that would make a bottle of Casamigos envious. In fact, let me quote from my review of Casamigos Blanco Tequila on this site: "I hate the word "smooth" but I'm sure that's how many fans describe this. I'm thinking more "bland", "expected", "stereotype", and even "the MacCallan of tequila". In other words - and let's be perfectly clear here - this tastes good. Everyone will like it. Some will love it. A few will make a note in passing that they've had it and it doesn't need to be revisited because it's just not that interesting" This is in the same vein but not quite as refined as the Casamigos. Yes, this does taste 'good' in that its pleasant and has no bad or challenging aroma, taste or texture. There is nothing offensive about it, but it's not the right tequila for a cocktail. Much less for one that features the spirit as intensely as a Tequila Martini. And that's the problem, really. This is, imho, a tequila for people who don't like tequila. It's lost its soul and there's just nothing left there with which to work. I'll pass on getting another for the bar.

Edit after writing my review I just saw this was not a blanco but a repaosado and it’s basically filtered down to this. Makes sense now. So not sure how to rate this. I know how I would rate it based on tasting some of the best Blancos out there before tasting this one but I have to also factor in the fact that apparently others love this tequila because if it’s attributes. First, this blanco has a decent nose. Not the amazing vegetal nose that forteleza or el Tesoro has but it’s decent. I also don’t get fake additives like a Casamigos. So I’ll rate the nose as fair and inoffensive. Next the taste, it’s pretty damn bland if you ask my opinion. There’s no burn but there’s also no “zing” to it to give it a unique flavor if it’s own. Strange actually. If you were to sextuple triple distill and filter a tequila this is what you’d end up with. Finish. Well quite frankly there really is no finish it goes down like water which is good if you’re looking to do shots with a bunch of college kids that make that gag face when doing shots of Cuervo because your not going to see those faces if they’re drinking this. So to give this a poor rating would be unfair because it has its purpose but to give it a great rating for its clean smoothness would be unfair too so I have to go down the middle of the road. I was given the recommendation to try this by some twenty something’s at the bar I was eating lunch next to today. They started their Friday with a double vodka and Red Bull and a pickleback shot at 12pm. I was a bit jealous but I was on the clock and I’m half their age so there’s that I guess. Regardless I don’t mind dropping $50 on this bottle to try it out. At least I have a good bottle for shots at the next party. 9/9/22

Maestro Dobel Diamante Blended Barrel Select (The Wine Shoppe) [Ranch: La Mesa / Blending Code: 8019-617 / French oak barrel # 3719 / Bottle # 74] is a complex, Agave Spirit; the world’s 1st crystal clear multi-aged Tequila; by Maestro Tequilero Alejandro Wronado for La Rojeña Distillery is a blend of Reposado, Añejo & Extra Añejo Tequilas – all 3 of them made from 100% blue agave from a single estate in Jalisco, Mexico, & all 3 of them aged in European white oak casks for 1, 2 & 3 years respectively; then filtered to remove all color. It has an aromatic birth with notes of cooked agave, fruit, flowers, wood, herbs & spices; while a full & complex life adds notes of citrus, cantaloupe, apples, lemongrass, white chocolate, vanilla & oak; that led to a long & spicy death with notes of pepper & cinnamon. August 2022

A complex, Agave Spirit by NOM 1122; the world’s first crystal clear multi-aged Tequila; by Juan Domingo Beckmann Legorreta for La Rojeña Distillery is a blend of Reposado, Añejo and Extra Añejo Tequilas – all 3 of them made from 100% blue agave from a single estate in Jalisco, Mexico, & all 3 of them aged in European white oak casks for 1, 2 & 3 years respectively; then filtered to remove all color. It has an aromatic birth with notes of cooked agave, fruit, flowers, wood, herbs & spices; while a full & complex life adds notes citrus, cantaloupe, apples, lemongrass, white chocolate, vanilla & oak; that led to a long, rich & elegant death with notes of butterscotch, sugar & pepper. December 2021 / A bit more crisp, delicate & elegant than previously. March 2025

Maestro Dobel Diamante Blended Barrel Select [Ranch: La Mesa / Blending Code: 8020-419 / Hungarian oak barrel # 8457 / Bottle # 118 / May 2022 release] is a complex, 'Agave Spirit; the world’s 1st crystal clear multi-aged Tequila; by Maestro Tequilero Alejandro Wronado for La Rojeña Distillery is a blend of Reposado, Añejo & Extra Añejo Tequilas – all 3 of them made from 100% blue agave from a single estate in Jalisco, Mexico, & all 3 of them aged in European white oak casks for 1, 2 & 3 years respectively; then filtered to remove all color. It has an aromatic birth with notes of cooked agave, wood, herbs & spices; while a delicate yet complex life led to a dry & unbalanced death of medium length. May 2023

Continuing my side venture into tequila, with what is apparently the original "cristilano". Nose: Peppery agave and very floral like a desert rose. Palate: Sweet, slightly syrupy mouthfeel. Black pepper, anise and cacao nib. Finish: Black licorice and hints of coffee. Fades farely quickly. It tastes great but it's a bit too sweet and candy-like to drink more than one. I'd skip dessert for a pour of this any day though.