Reposado round-up: 8 tasting notes across 3 agave spirit categories

As an intro to our reposado round-up, Felisa Rogers contemplates her reposado roots.

I would imagine that many of our readers share something in common. We weren’t all fortunate enough to grow up in mezcal country, and the first agave spirit we ever drank straight was a tequila reposado. I don’t remember that first night of drinking, but I do remember my first notable bottle. It was El Jimador. My friend Chely brought it to the palapa where my boyfriend and I were camping on a remote Jalisco beach. Es lo que beben los viejos, she said with a laugh, proffering the bottle. It’s what the old timers drink. This was a long time ago, back in the days when El Jimador came in a square bottle and was actually pretty good–or I like to think so anyway. Maybe it just tasted better than Corona or Cuervo Gold. I was young.

At any rate, it was delicious to me in that moment, with my cute boyfriend and badass friend, watching the luminous surf explode under Jalisco stars–it was easy to drink, rounded on the tongue, sweet but dangerous. I felt like Chely was letting me in on a secret–this is what we drink. I liked the sense of being in the know. And that was the moment that I went from being an ordinary drinker to a drinker who always wanted to find a better bottle. This would lead me down country roads and neverending rabbit holes. It’s funny that it started with El Jimador, and a reposado.

Fast forward 26 years. Unlike many of my fellow mezcal aficionados, I’m still a dedicated tequila enthusiast. That said, it has been a long time since I truly enjoyed a reposado. I now tend to eschew the sweeter, rounder notes in favor of unaged spirits that–you guessed it–allow the agave to take center stage. But lately, my colleague Tess Rose Lampert has been on a tequila tasting spree and her mouth-watering descriptions of reposados are reminding me of why I fell in love with tequila in the first place.

She inspired me to survey my liquor cabinet for any reposados that had been sent my way–which happened to be raicillas. I may need to make a trip to the liquor store to revisit my reposado roots. In that spirit (pun intended), here’s a round-up of Tess’s tequila tasting notes, including both high-end and best value reposado options. In case you’re not a tequila person (but enjoy aged spirits), I’ve included Max Garrone’s notes on a bacanora reposado, as well as my notes on those raicillas. (Scroll down for that.)–Felisa Rogers

Note: These are teasers. The full entries are available at our library of agave spirits tasting notes, or will be soon. And if you’re not in the mood for a reposado, there’s plenty to explore there.

Arette Clásico Reposado tasting notes

ABV: 40%, NOM: 1109

Taste: In the mouth the effect is refreshing and uplifted, with notes of fresh and dried apricots, papaya, and freeze-dried golden pineapple. The gentle barrel aging supports the agave focused flavors with notes of banana peel, a hint of vanilla, and nutmeg.–TRL

Production Details

Location: Tequila, Jalisco
Maestros: Eduardo and Jamie Orendain
Roast: Autoclave
Crush: Mechanical Mill
Distillation: Steel & Copper Pot Stills

Stay tuned for full tasting notes.

Cazcanes Reposado No.7 tasting notes

ABV: 40%, NOM: 1614

Taste: The light aging shows through more on the palate than on the nose, with notes of light brown sugar, toasted white tea, and creamy coffee. Pineapple and citrus elements keep the agave character in focus, with the toasted and roasted notes blossoming on the finish.–TRL

Production Details

Location: Amatitán, Jalisco
Maestro: Francisco “Don Chico” Jiménez Lazcarro
Roast: Autoclave
Crush: Roller mill
Distillation: Stainless steel alembic with copper coil

Full tasting notes coming soon.

Don Fulano Reposado tasting notes

ABV: 40%, NOM: 1474

Taste: Distinctly more powerful on the palate, flavors of chocolate with almonds, roasted pumpkin seed, dried oranges, and golden plums skew sweet. A nice hit of tangy salinity balances the robust ripeness, keeping it light in the mouth. The finish is rich with golden pineapple and cacao nib. –TRL

Production Details

Location: Tequila, Jalisco
Maestros: Enrique Fonseca and Sergio Mendoza
Roast: Autoclave
Crush: Screw press
Distillation: Hybrid pot & column

Read full tasting notes or check out Tess’s tasting notes for Don Fulano Blanco.

El Tequileño Reposado tasting notes

ABV: 40%, NOM: 1108

Taste: The flavor is barrel-forward, with rock candy and light caramel. Soft notes of ripe agave hide underneath the sweet vanilla sugar flavors, balanced with a light but luxurious texture that is easy to keep sipping. Easy drinking and great value.–TRL

Production Details

Location: Tequila, Jalisco
Maestro: Jorge Antonio Salles
Roast: Autoclave
Crush: Roller mill
Distillation: Copper pot

Full tasting notes coming soon.

Tequila Ocho Reposado tasting notes

ABV: 40%, NOM: 1474

Taste: The flavors are reminiscent of tapioca pudding or arroz con leche spiked with creamy vanilla and piquant cinnamon. The roasted and lightly caramelized agave notes are supported rather than obscured by the light touch of the barrel. The finish is creamy and rich.–TRL

Production Details

Location: Arandas, Jalisco
Maestro: Carlos Camarena
Roast: Mamposteria (brick oven)
Crush: Roller mill
Distillation: Steel and copper pot

Full tasting notes and background information here.

Kilinga Bacanora Reposado

ABV: 40%

Taste: An acute tension between the barrel flavors and agave, the wood is definitely vying with the fresh note from the agave for a combination that is both nutty and brightly herbal.–MG

Production Details

Location: Alamos, Sonora
Agave: A. pacifica
Maestro: Rodrigo Bojorquez Bours
Roast: Underground masonry oven for five days.
Crush: Double milled. Chopped in the first pass, then crushed with a tahona.
Distillation: Composite pot still stainless and copper.

Read Max’s full tasting notes, including backstory.

Raicillas

Note: aged Raicilla is uncommon, although we’re beginning to see a bit more as bigger brands market to audiences more familiar with tequila.

La Venenosa Taberna Hermanos Raicilla Reposado

41% ABV

Taste: This doesn’t have any notes I’d normally associate with a reposado. The spirit has a well-rounded sweetness, but is devoid of the cloying caramel flavors that dominate so many aged tequilas. A touch of spice on the tongue with a subtle base note of charcoal. The overall profile is straightforward and pleasant. Like the Tabernas Hermanos blanco, this is an accessible raicilla.–FR

Production Details

Location: El Mosco, Sierra Occidental de Jalisco
Agave: A. Maximiliana (Maguey Lechuguilla) / A. Angustifolia (Maguey Chico Aguiar)
Maestro: José Salcedo Rios
Roast: Oak-fired adobe oven
Crush: Machete and small corn mill
Ferment: Tinaco, wild yeast
Distillation: Double-distilled in copper and stainless steel

Read full tasting notes.

El Acabo Racilla Reposado

40% ABV

Taste: If you told me this was a tequila, I’d believe you. (Which makes sense if you look at the production details.) On first sip, a hint of pipe tobacco and sandalwood with a mellow lactic undertone. Coconut hits the scene and holds forth, balancing the sandalwood and vanilla high notes. Finishes sweet, bright, and peppery.–FR

Production Details