Review: El Mayor Tequila Complete Lineup (2015)
Review: El Mayor Tequila Complete Lineup (2015)
It’s been seven long years since we encountered one of the oddly shaped bottles of El Mayor Tequila, and even then it was just the blanco expression. Today we’re taking a fresh look at El Mayor — and covering the complete lineup of three expressions of this highlands-born, 100% agave spirit. (There’s an extra anejo too, not reviewed here.)
All are 80 proof. Read on for more.
El Mayor Tequila Blanco (2015) – Very gentle, it’s one of the lightest-bodied tequilas I’ve encountered in recent years. The nose is moderately sweet, with some honeysuckle notes and a bit of spicy black pepper leading to a punchy but balanced agave backbone. The body has some citrus notes, cloves, and a modest agave, which together with the citrus character gives it a bit of the flavor of pickled jalapeno on the finish — though not much of the heat. The tequila wraps up clean and fairly soft, just about perfect for a blanco sipper or as a premium mixer. Reviewed: Batch 1478. A- / $27 [BUY IT NOW FROM CASKERS] [BUY IT NOW FROM THE WHISKY EXCHANGE]
El Mayor Tequila Reposado – Aged up to nine months. Again, very gentle on the nose, though this time it’s got notes of cola, some vanilla, and emerging agave spice. The body features some cinnamon and gingerbread, more vanilla custard, and even butterscotch notes. Herbal agave notes are present, but fleeting, as the sweeter components do more of the heavy lifting. Some pepper on the finish keeps things grounded in the world of reposado. Reviewed: Batch 883. A / $30 [BUY IT NOW FROM CASKERS] [BUY IT NOW FROM THE WHISKY EXCHANGE]
El Mayor Tequila Anejo – Aged 18 months. The nose isn’t dramatically different from the reposado except for the addition of some lumberyard aromas — a few tannic notes that give the anejo more of a brooding character. The body starts off somewhat sharp, which is a surprise, before venturing into sweet, dessert notes — chocolate, toffee, caramel — that build and build on the lush finish. The agave takes a back seat here, but that’s typical in many anejos, as the barrel makes its influence known. El Mayor’s gentle blanco is a good match for that, leaving behind just enough herbal agave to make things worth exploring again and again. Reviewed: Batch 878. A- / $48 [BUY IT NOW FROM CASKERS] [BUY IT NOW FROM THE WHISKY EXCHANGE]
El Mayor Tequila Anejo
$48
I remember the old bottles, tall and skinny (and maybe round). To this day an excellent brand, tequila, and priced about the same as the old bottle.
I received a bottle of your wonderful Tequila for my birthday and I thought that was the best I have ever tasted. I have tried them all , from the least expensive to the top shelve. I would like to know where I can buy another bottle or two ?
I give the Reposado an A+ for smoothness and excellent finish! I made a perfect margarita with it. 2 oz Tequila, 2 oz triple sec, 1.5 T freshly squeezed lime juice, 1 T freshly squeezed orange juice, 1 T. Raw organic agave syrup. Shook with ice. Served on rocks with salted rim in my throwback ChiChi’s margarita glass! It was heavenly!!
This Is Not a smooth sipping tequila. I enjoy a good tequila and thought, with a cork top, and more than 2 x’s $$$ of a bottle of José C, it could have potential. So I purchased the Blanco and Reposado. I’ve tried them straight and in different mixes. It’s barely palatable and some of the worst tequila I’ve ever let pass my lips. Sorry el mayor.
If Jose’ C is your go to, you may not want to comment on Tequlia!!!!!!
This is some of the best Tequila I had. It is in my humble opinion better than Patron…
Joyce Ayres, first time I tried the Blanco (around the time of your comment) I would’ve disagreed with you. Now two years later I’m trying it again and I agree with you. Something happened to my tongue or to the Tequila.