Reviewer question

[mjfuller53]

I've read many reviews that say this brand or that is "well-balanced." What the hell does that mean? What is being balanced? If I had to guess it would be that one flavor doesn't totally dominate all other flavors, but how you tell that among subtle flavors would escape me. What do you all think?

[jdjohn84]

The more tequilas you taste, the more sense 'balanced' will make. You are absolutely correct that one flavor will not overpower the others, but I also think balanced means that agave is the primary flavor out of all of them.

To be balanced, the amount of burn and body must also be considered. Too much burn, or too thin, or too heavy of a body would throw-off balance. So true balance must have the right amount of burn and body.

And then there is the finish. There should always be *some* burn. After all, this stuff if 40% alcohol. Too long or too widespread of a burn is bad, but a concentrated burn of medium duration is just right. It can be in the nose, somewhere on the palate, or in the throat, but the duration and intensity must be balanced and appropriate.

Again, the more you taste, the more sense it will make. But if you see the word 'balanced' in a review, that is a good thing.

[1tequila2]

Wow! what a good question. I'll have to go back and look at my reviews and see where I used it and if I can answer your question. It's sort of like a song, a fine meal, or a painting. You might say it has balance. If like me, you have an "ideal" tequila profile, and I taste a lot of what I like or how close it comes to my ideal, I might say it is well balanced when compared to that. How does the whole taste/aroma presentation come together and effect you? Tonight I'm drinking Avion repo and I'd say that it is reasonably well balanced. On my well balanced scale of 1 to 10 I'd give it a 7.

[1tequila2]

I surprised myself in what I found when went back and looked at my reviews for the use of the word balanced. In 10 out of 30 reviews I used it to describe the difference between the taste and the alcohol burn. Sometimes I used it when describing the contrast between the effects of the alcohol on the taste, finish, and aroma of the tequila. So for me it's been about the alcohol burn or heat vs the flavors in a good or bad way. A balance, at least in how I've used it in a review, would be when a tequila strikes a happy median between the flavors and the heat and burn of the alcohol. Alcohol is a discernible and desirable aspect to any tequila but should not wipe out the flavors. Nothing should overpower the senses to the detriment of other elements that you want to be able to distinguish and enjoy. Some people like a hot tequila while some like them sweet, your personal median will be your balance point. If you like milder tequilas and you were tasting a moderately mild tequila you might say it was balanced because you liked what you were finding as opposed to a very bold flavor profile you didn't like.