The Tasting:
The Fifty Best held a “blind” tasting of 17 reposado tequilas with twelve members of our spirits judging panel. The order of service was established beforehand by lottery. Strict tasting rules were applied. Each of the tequilas were poured into fresh glasses from new sealed bottles and served at room temperature. Only ice water, neutral unsalted crackers and chips were available to cleanse the palate.
The judges wrote down their impressions on score sheets. The scoring was done on a 5-point system, with 5 as the highest. Double Gold, Gold and Silver medals are awarded according to a set range of final point scores received from the judges. There were no Bronze medals awarded for this tasting. Medals are provided based entirely on merit and only to products judged worthy of such award.
The tasting notes that follow are summaries of the judges’ opinions, with all replicated commentary eliminated. The municipalities of origin are identified for each brand. All of the reposado tequilas in this list are 80° proof, except when specified.
Baluarte Reposado Tequila
(Tototlan, Jalisco, MX)
Aroma: Cream toffee, whipped cream, creaminess, mild butterscotch, vanilla, nougat, honey, dried raisin, dried fruit, stone fruit, melon rind, agave, floral, herbs, corn tortillas, sweet smoke, burnt wood, wood, birch, oak.
Palate: Caramel, toffee, butterscotch, butter, brown sugar, vanilla, honey, toasted coconut, sweet café au lait, raisins, red grape, melon, unripe banana, banana peel, floral, agave, roasted bell pepper, corn tortillas, soy sauce, earth, smoky, oak, wine, chianti.
Finish: Caramel, vanilla, banana, floral, bell pepper, chicory, nuttiness, white pepper, smoky, different, smooth, silky.
Source: https://www.thefiftybest.com/tequila/best_tequila_reposado