With a lovely golden hue, reposado tequilas are more complex in flavour than their blanco counterparts and benefit from ageing anywhere between two months to a year in oak barrels prior to bottling.
This added time resting in oak adds additional layers of flavour to the resulting spirit, with common mentions being delicate hints of oak, vanilla, sweet spice, or light smoke, although these bottles still contain far less complexity than what is found in longer aged bottles of añejo.
For a more interesting and unique flavour experience, look for those reposado tequilas that have been aged in former bourbon, Cognac, or whisky casks as these impart even more unique flavours onto the tequila.
As is the case with all other tequilas, however, be sure to also look for those bottles that are made with 100% blue agave as these denote a higher quality product than other examples of mixtos tequila.
In addition to this, watch out for bottles of “gold” tequila, as these are usually mixtos tequilas where the distiller has added in artificial colourings just before bottling to affect the appearance of ageing.
Reposado tequila ranks as one of the most popular spirit categories ever in terms of common party drinks, however, there are many big and small distilleries and brands that are responsible for crafting exceptional examples of sipping tequila.
By far the two biggest brands in the premium tequila market, Don Julio and Patrón both have their own versions of 100% blue agave reposado tequila available.
The Don Julio Reposado Tequila is famed for its pronounced citrus and sweet agave base, which is intertwined with subtle flavours of vanilla and honey, making it well balanced and easily enjoyable neat or over ice.
Similar in its flavour profile, the Patrón Reposado is another example of premium sipping tequila, which possesses a sweet agave base that mellows into an oaky finish that includes hints of vanilla, honey, and light floral notes.
Outside of these premium brands, lower priced alternatives include Espolon Reposado Tequila or El Jimador Reposado Tequila, which are both similar tasting examples of 100% blue agave bottles that are finely balanced and enjoyable neat.
Moving into the mixtos, or gold, tequila category, however, and it is always a best practice to use these bottles as cocktail bases.
Popular examples of these tequilas include Jose Cuervo Especial Reposado and Sierra Tequila Reposado, both products that are ideally consumed in cocktails or as alcoholic bases with popular mixers, including orange or pineapple juice.
Do not be afraid to venture beyond the few brands mentioned here, however, as there are many examples of fine reposado tequila available for purchase.
Just be sure to look for those made from 100% blue agave as these usually denote a higher quality product that is far more expensive to produce and nicer to consume, many of which are mentioned here.
Reposado tequila, like most aged spirits, has a variety of flavours crafted throughout not only the initial distillation process, but more importantly, the time spent ageing in oak prior to being bottled and sold.
At the base of any aged tequila, reposado or añejo, is an unaged blanco tequila that is made from either 100% blue agave or a blend of 51% blue agave and other sugars.
Depending upon the percentage of blue agave used during production, the quality and flavour of the resulting blanco, and eventual reposado or añejo tequila, is significantly affected.
That being said, most reposado tequilas are known to possess flavours of sweet agave, citrus, and pepper that are balanced out by subtle additional layers of light smoke, vanilla, and caramel.
This delicate combination of traditional tequila flavours mellowed out by additional tastes found in many other aged spirits means reposado tequilas can easily be consumed neat or over ice.
They key, as with all tequilas, is to seek those bottles that are made from 100% blue agave, as these will always be of a higher quality than blended mixtos tequilas, which are often cheaper and made for quick production.
If looking to make tequila cocktails, however, reposado can be used within a variety, including the Reposado Old Fashioned, Yellow Jacket, or Dominican Sunrise, with more being explored here.
Having been aged in oak for a relatively short period of time, bottles of reposado tequila often balance distinct oaky and smoky flavours with the more familiar agave, citrus, and pepper.
Because of this, the best food pairing options for these tequilas is with many smoked or cured meats, as the flavours mentioned above match well with the salty or spicy flavours present in the food.
Outside of this, barbecue meat dishes, in particular those made from pork or chicken, are sublimely paired with these tequilas due to the cooked meats taste of smoke and spice.
There's a bottle of reposado tequila out there for everyone. Here are some of the brands and bottles that we recommend you look out for the next time you're browsing online or in-store.
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