Review: Los Arango Tequila Complete Lineup
Los Arango Tequila is new to the U.S., a revival of an older brand named after Pancho Villa himself. Double (column) distilled from 100% pure agave by the same folks that produce Corralejo, here’s some background by way of press release:
Los Arango Tequila, the authentic artisanal ultra-premium tequila with revolutionary heritage, is pleased to announce the revival of Los Arango Tequila Blanco, Resposado and Añejo, just in time for Cinco de Mayo. This exciting announcement coincides with Los Arango’s appointment of Infinium Spirits as their new U.S. importer.
Los Arango, named in honor of revolutionary hero José Doroteo Arango, better known as “Pancho Villa,” is crafted using 100% hand-picked blue agave and specifically formulated yeast. During the Mexican Revolution, an agave field worker was so grateful to Pancho Villa for fighting to protect his town against local aggressors that he dedicated his tequila, along with his artisanal recipe and handmade bottle, to Pancho Villa. Impressed by his crafted gift, Pancho Villa asked the master distiller to put his family name on the bottle. Today, the history lives on – within every bottle of Los Arango Tequila Blanco, Reposado and Añejo.
Double column distilled, Los Arango Tequila embraces robust and delicious flavors that ignite the senses. Los Arango Tequila Blanco is processed through a slow distillation and has a clean and bright color with a soft, smooth palate. With a silky and elegant palate and a dry and delicate finish, Los Arango Tequila Reposado is a high-quality premium product that is aged for six months in American oak barrels. An embodiment of perfection to master tequileros, Los Arango Tequila Añejo is aged for thirteen months in American oak barrels that are burnt inside to give the tequila a smoky flavor. A rich taste with vanilla, caramel, and suede flavors, Los Arango Tequila Añejo satisfies any palate as a stand-alone drink or mixed into cocktails.
Los Arango Blanco, Reposado and Añejo tequilas’ premium bottle is adorned with a wooden cap as well as a leather label and necker that offer a salute to Los Arango’s authentic heritage.
Let’s dig into the entire line, all of which are all bottled at 80 proof. (Reports of Los Arango at 70 proof relate to a different product.)
Los Arango Tequila Blanco – Unaged. Very clean on the nose, with hints of white pepper, lemon oil, and a more general vegetal note that comes across like aloe or sweet “green juice.” Quiet on the tongue, this is as easygoing a tequila as you’re likely to find, a simple, lightly sweet spirit that keeps the agave firmly at bay. The finish sees fruit plus a touch of heat — think pineapple sprinkled with chili pepper — and some more exotic notes of coconut and cinnamon. If herbal agave’s not your bag, Los Arango Blanco should be a massive hit. Think of it as a tequila for the vodka fan, in the best sense of the phrase. B+ / $40
Los Arango Tequila Reposado – Aged 6 months, as noted. Strangely muted, and the palest shade of straw. The nose sees a hefty white pepper character, plus notes of walnut, green pepper, and freshly cut grass. On the palate, similar notes endure, though there’s a lemony element that feels like someone squeezed the citrus fruit directly into the drink. This is refreshing, but atypical of reposado tequila, although the finish sees a reprise of pepper — stronger perhaps — that takes things out on more of a punchy, spicy note. B / $45
Los Arango Tequila Anejo – Aged 13 months in, from my understanding, used barrels that are re-charred inside. Curious on the nose, with notes of brewed tea, lots of that semi-smoky barrel char, pepper, and mixed spice, there’s a lot going on, and not all of it feels headed in the same direction. The palate sees a bit more consistency, with more traditional vanilla-caramel melding fitfully with the pepper, spice, and a slightly bittersweet orange peel character. The overall impression is one of a young and slightly brash anejo, though it’s worth taking a chance on just for its novelty factor. B / $50
Los Arango Tequila Reposado
$45
