Finally got to sample Partida’s new, full line of tequilas today. Color me impressed. No, seriously. Here’s how they shake out.

Partida Blanco - This is a peppery but very clean silver tequila, smooth and perfect for mixing and even for sipping straight in a pinch. Among the best tequilas I’ve tried. A-

Partida Reposado - Very similar to the Blanco. A pale yellow, lighter than most Reposados. It has a bit more bite than the Blanco and a light woodiness reflecting its cask aging. I like it almost as much as the Blanco, but not quite. A-

Partida Añejo - The Cadillac of Añejo tequilas as far as I’m concerned, and my new favorite “sipping” tequila. This is an incredibly smooth Añejo, oaky and aged in Jack Daniels barrels, giving it a complexity and lushness that you don’t get in most tequilas of any age. A strong sweetness on the finish gives it a fruitiness that’s, again, uncommon in this liquor. Tequila fans will need to put this on a must-try list, immediately. A

Now for the bad news: None of these are what I’d describe as cheap. You pay for quality, especially in the tequila world, it seems. (Feeling rich? There’s a $330 bottle called Elegante Extra Añejo that even I haven’t gotten to try…)

Partida Blanco : A- / $40
Partida Reposado: A- / $50
Partida Añejo: A / $62
partidatequila.com