I'm definitely new to premium tequila's having been turned off to Tequila in college by mid to low grade options since my budget was not exactly complimentary to quality options.

A friend of mine introduced me to premium tequila via Patron Anejo. It was surprisingly different than anything I had before, being only a fan of Sauza Commerativo Anejo. I decided it was time I start looking into premiums a bit more with a better budget and appreciation for finer spirits developed through premium bourbon, scotch and rum exploration. I've learned you usually get what you pay for if you pay attention and search around.

I read a lot of reviews here and figured this was one of the tequila's I must try. Another was Herradura Repasado. So, my frame of reference is Patron Anejo, Patron Silver, Jose Cuervo 1800, Sauza in general but mostly Commerativo and of course recently Herradura Repasado.

I was hesitant at first to try a Blanco just based on my appeal to aged spirits and the general consensus that while Blancos have more Agave power to them, they also are rougher around the edges, something I'd expect from a mid-grade vodka. I was unsure, but I figure, if it had such great reviews, it was at least worth a try. I picked up a bottle for $38.00 at my local liquor store.

My first opening of the bottle was a surprise. I typically do not like the initial nose of any tequilas I've tried to date. The smell here, however, was something I'd expect from a very refined spirit. Nothing rough at all, rather sweet and soft. No real alcohol hit, but more a smooth unique smell with hints of caramel.

I poured about 1.5oz into a 4oz margarita style glass and swirled it. It coated the sides well showing it had smooth body. I sniffed again and was pleasantly surprised by the sweet aroma and absence of any strong alcohol or rough edge smells.

The initial taste was incredible. I expected, again, something rough, some burn, but there was none. It was sweet and smooth and the agave was amazingly present with some sweet tones. As I sipped more I picked up some spice but maintained the agave character. It continued to be smooth. A second pour and sipping continued to support the sweet agave flavor and build a bit of the spice. The heat only built slightly as I continued to enjoy the glass, but never reached a point of anything I had tried in the past. There was no real bitter or rough feel I get from many other spirits.

During my tasting I also enjoyed a maduro style cigar. The two complimented each other well. The both accentuated the sweetness of each other while keeping the spice nice and mellow in the background to add character.

I must say, though I am new and will likely try more premium tequilas along the way, this is a serious keeper. I am very pleased with my decision to go with the ratings here and give it a try. Even down to the quality decanter and feel. It felt very much worth the price to me and definitely helped create a wonderful mood on my back porch on a nice fall evening.

I would definitely recommend this to anyone curious about blancos but hesitant like me to drink any neat beyond mixing. I would also say it would be a tragedy to mix this. It is amazing all on its own!

ENJOY!

Must say I'm surprised this has received such mixed reviews. Of course everyone has different tastes, but it seems like some consensus generally forms. I'm wondering if there is some inconsistency in the product.

As for me, I think this is a superb blanco - very fresh, crisp, refined and just delicious. It is very smooth, especially for a blanco (in some ways it goes down like a good rep or an anejo), yet complex and rich too. All that with a sweet but prominent agave presence.

Very nice nose on this with spice, pepper, earth, warm agave, subtle pine, and a hint of astringency.

Entry is delectable with a very sweet, warm, semi-oily and almost a little nut flavor, perhaps just the oak, but a wonderful entry full of agave.

Body is full and complex with each of the characteristics above present, and a touch briny.

Finish is super smooth, although a nice little burn will develop after a few sips to remind you it's tequila, but sip by sip this is super smooth and goes down like a nice anejo. The finish is smooth, but nice and long, and pepper, and agave are the flavors that lasted the longest and were most pronounced for me.

Again, not sure about the consistency, but for me this was a great experience.

Came highly recommended, but I must say this bottle was one of my bigger tequila disappointments in the last year or so...

I drink silver tequilas exclusively, and only drink them neat. This bottle was displayed on the top shelf at my reputable liquor store and set me back $45; it should have been displayed between the Herradura and Tres Generaciones and cost about $35. I usually shy away from elaborate bottles (more money spent on the packaging means less money spent on the contents) and should have trusted my gut on this one. I have a feeling this tequila would be great were it only double-distilled, but after triple-distilling there's not much agave left. Very sharp alcohol taste and mediocre mouth feel. Very short finish, but given the poor initial flavor and body, the quick finish is this tequila's strongest asset. Reminds me of Don Eduardo, another disappointment in my book.

Certainly not the worst tequila I've ever had, but the worst tequila I've ever seen pulled off the top shelf.

Purchased from Discount Liquor in Waukesha, WI for 41.99. This tequila has more character than many of the rested and aged tequilas that I have tried.

Aroma-Agave, very sweet, I almost get a hint of chocolate
Initial taste-Well balanced, nice agave flavor with a hint of earthiness
finish- a hint of pepper and a slight, but enjoyable, bitter taste

This is the best blanco I have ever tried. It is so good I could drink it for dessert.

Tequila Casa Noble Crystal. 100% triple distilled. NOM 1137 La Cofradia. Tasted 10/18/08 in a Riedel glass. I bought this tequila from WineChateau.com for $35.00. This tequila earns the name crystal with its clear colorless appearance. A complex and unique nose that is sweet with clove, ginger, and ginsing and an overall deep musky agave note. This is maybe one of the most multi faceted blancos I've tried. Aroma, taste, and finish come alive in this true agave spirit. There is nothing boring about is blanco. First taste is peppery, citrus, young and green. The mouthfeel is smooth and silky but with immediate legs on the glass. A mellow agave taste heavy and oily on the tongue. A sweet creamy flavor midway that quickly fades into a fair amount of bitterness in the aftertaste with heat developing on the end. CNC from beginning to end is definitely a most unique experience. I've not come across another blanco quite like it. I do not use this tequila in a margarita, but enjoy its nuances and three pronged alure as a sipper. Nice easy to grip bottle with a embossed foil label and stopper. A simple but effective presentation.