Patron Tequila Reposado

Patron Reposado tasted in a snifter 6/4/09. Having read several people say that this was one of their favorites from the Patron line up I purchased a couple of shots. I must say it's not getting much love here. To me it's not much like the Silver which I can drink and sometimes enjoy. First nose wasn't bad but first taste is very perfumey and hot. Not much agave presence. Taste is hot and lingers on the tongue with a major mouth and lip numbing effect of long duration. Nothing special about the aftertaste except for elements of wood and smoke. Small quick shot type swallows seem to reduce the unpleasant effects and strangely seems to smooth it out somewhat. Not what I'm looking for in a reposado. The inital nose is the best part about this tequila but it failed to carry through with much else.

Apart from its packaging, there is little good to say about this Reposado. Colour is a vague rust - almost clear. Aroma offers pear, spice and not much else. A thin mouth feel and sweetish entry suggests fruit, earth and very, very faint agave. Finish is hot and pure alcohol.
Here is a tequila which, despite its aggressive marketing and high price, doesn't really make it out of the starting gate. One good thing! - the labels are all sticky-backed plastic.... you can peel them off and use the elegant bottle for something else.

NOSE
Overall quite clean & pleasant with buttery agave, cream soda, lime rind & possibly some lingering mint. Some alcohol heat, but not overbearing. Slight suggestion of sweetness.

PALATE
Primary notes of cooked agave, something similar to butterscotch, subtle mint, cinnamon-type spice & raw vegetal earthiness. Sweetness & spice levels build with time on the tongue.

BODY
Medium firm. Nicely oily.

FINISH
Begins fairly hot with lingering spice, hints of oak & vanilla sweetness. Fairly long & drying. Tad grubby.

NOTES
Well, although there is a certain raw appeal to this tequila, I find the overall level of heat & overly astringent finish to be slightly off-putting. Overall a decently pleasant tequila, but not inline with the asking price.

With small splash of water & 10 minutes rest in the glass - smooths out slightly with bitter oak & citrus notes emerging.