Five or 10 years ago, nobody would put investment into research and development for Tequila, but now producers are in a position to start messing around a bit more, which means they must have confidence in the consumer.” After distillation, Sierra Tequila Reposado rests in Bourbon casks for up to nine months, giving it its lovely, golden colour, and complex aroma. Reposado is the most popular quality of Tequila in Mexico. The freshness and irresistible fruitiness of Sierra Tequila Reposado is accompanied with delicate notes of vanilla, caramel, and with aromas of spicy herbs.

A Silver medal was given to coffee‐flavoured Sierra Milenario Tequila Cafè. Two more Silver medals were hailed in the Tequila Liqueur round. El Sueño Watermelon Liqueur pleasantly surprised the judges with its “fresh watermelon notes” and some “light earthiness”. Silver winner Horus was likened to a “very well done chocolate cream”. The judges found the quality improved as they progressed to 100% Agave Tequila – Premium Reposado. A Master was bestowed upon Tequila Dahlia Cristalino. Rodriguez found this expression had an “explosive nose” full of “roasted agave, pepper and floral notes”. The palate had a “touch of sweetness” and “lingering” flavour. “This shows Tequila’s immense complexity, playful aromas and notes reminiscent of other spirits categories,” he enthused. “This feels more like a sipping liquid than a mixing liquid.” A Gold medal was awarded to Tequila Exotico Reposado, which had “good length” to its finish, while a Silver medal was given to Corralejo Reposado. Joining me, Melita Kiely, editor of The Spirits Business, on Zoom was Eduardo Gomez, founder of Tequila Fest and director of mexgrocer.uk. Five Gold medals added to the tally, with awards given to “highly aromatic” Tequila Herradura Reposado and “soft, candied citrus, peppery” Dobel Diamante.Prousaefs was pleased to see a “very solid round”. Tanner added: “This was great value for money.” Lovely complexity Chambers said: “Quality‐wise, this was a solid tasting. And you’re starting to see one or two producers pushing the boundaries of what can be done.” Tanner remained equally enthused about agave‐based spirits. He added: “I think we’ll see, perhaps like gin, in a year or two there will be a more ‘contemporary’ Tequila category with different barrel finishes and a more experimental level. Sierra Reposado Tequila has a bright gold color, and its flavor is sweet with predominant notes of caramel and hints of vanilla. It also has small hints of orange with touches of vanilla and coconut. Its aroma is fruity, with delicate notes of vanilla and caramel, as well as essences of herbs and spices. International awards These bottlings are not necessarily the most affordable expressions, but each one has been judged to offer excellent quality for consumers within their respective categories.

Four Gold‐standard mezcals were also tasted. A Gold medal went to 400 Conejos Mezcal with its “new‐make aromas” and “fruity palate, with mild, dry smoke”. A single flavoured mezcal entry, Ojo de Dios ODD Café Mezcal, delivered a strong finish to the tasting. The Gold winner delighted the panel with its “rich, chocolatey” palate, full of “comforting coffee notes and balanced sweetness”. The Spirits Business held its annual Tequila & Mezcal Masters last month, where an experienced panel of judges uncovered some of the category’s best expressions available on the global market. Zignum Añejo also received a Silver award because of its “resinous” qualities on the palate and for being “well rounded and balanced”. “I would say these weren’t traditional mezcals, but they were well aged, good añejos,” said Gomez. “Reposado and añejo is not traditional in the mezcal world, but more and more producers are ageing their products, following the Tequila, rum and whisky industries to be more accessible and friendly for the market. These products did this pretty well.” This was very delicious with dry notes on the nose,” said Gomez. “It was smooth, well balanced, with apricots and cinnamon notes on the mouth. The extra ABV gave it that extra push and brought out the aromas and flavours more.” He added: “We had some Espadin but I could also feel some wild agave. Some of them were well above the average standard, being fresh, fruity and smoky – I could feel they were all well made. Overall, the standard was very good.”In the oldest portion of the Tequila category, three ultra‐premium extra añejo Tequilas won a Master medal. First of all, Avión Reserva 44 received the Master award for its “nutty” aroma, and “moreish” flavours of “chocolate, toffee and citrus peel”. All that was then left to do was the enjoyable task of retasting the Master medallists to determine the ‘best in class’ Taste Master. After carefully considering the entrants, the judges agreed The Tequila & Mezcal Taste Master 2021 award should be bestowed upon The Lost Explorer Mezcal Salmiana. “This mezcal was very different, very unique,” said Gomez. “The quality was excellent and it’s just so easy to drink.” Flavor: fruity with herbal notes, a subtle hint of orange, vanilla with cocoa, sweet and fruity agave A further two Gold-worthy entrants were unearthed in the following flight, 100% Agave Tequila – Ultra-Premium Blanco. The first Gold medal was awarded to El Tequileño Platinum, which had “grassy fresh notes” and “nice agave flavours” on the palate. The second Gold went to Borco International’s Sierra Milenario Tequila Fumado, enjoyed for its “classic agave aromas and citrus”. The palate was said to be “well balanced” with The tasting then took on a flight of 100% Agave – Super-Premium Reposado Tequilas, in which the first Master was discovered. Patrón Reposado Tequila impressed with its “green and clean” aromas, “nice texture” and “slightly sweet palate that brings cooked agave, a hint of pepper and a long finish”.

After much consideration, the judges agreed to award the coveted Taste Master title to Sierra Milenario Tequila Extra Añejo. Pushing the boundaries As we moved from on to 100% agave Tequilas, Patrón Silver Tequila took home a coveted Gold medal in the Super-Premium Blanco flight. The Tequila delivered a “bright, fresh” aroma, which led to “agave and pepperiness” on the palate. Corralejo Blanco Tequila received a respectable Silver. We started the proceedings with a flight of Mixto Tequila – Blanco, which produced a Gold medal in the form of Tequila Olmeca Blanco. The Tequila was said to haveAll of the Tequilas were very good, but [Patrón Reposado Tequila] came up as the best because it tasted like a product that has been carefully produced and the barrels have been used very well,” Gomez added. “It was quite spicy, mineral. These were good representations of Tequila at this price.” The number of excellent Tequila and mezcal bottlings on the market has been increasing at an impressive rate, with producers bringing interesting expressions to keen consumers, as this year’s blind-tasting competition showed. This year’s Tequila & Mezcal Masters received a record number of entries Sierra Tequila Reposado is traditionally twice distilled in copper pot stills. The Mexican tequila is matured for up to 9 months in toasted ex-American oak barrels, giving this incorruptible, gold brown color. This type of production is known as "Reposado", meaning "recovering, calm or approved". The special feature of the production of the Sierra Tequila Reposado is that only blue agave are used which have grown more than eight years in the province of Jalisco.

Two more Gold medallists followed: “sweet, caramel, complex” Tequila Olmeca Altos Reposado; and “rich and well rounded” Tequila Avíon Reposado, which was said to be a “great sipping Tequila”. The opening flight of Mixto Tequila – Blanco delivered a set of Silver medals for El Sueño Tequila Silver and Sierra Tequila Silver. El Sueño Tequila Silver was “light and bright” on the nose, with “delicate citrus and a peppery palate”. Sierra Tequila Silver had a “slight nuttiness”, but was found to be “what you’d expect” from a mixto blanco – “solid”, noted one judge.The irresistible Sierra Tequila Reposado testifies to a special fruity, refined with vanilla beans and creamy caramel taste. Spicy, slightly sharp herbs, caramel and smoke completely complete the aroma and the taste of this premium Tequila. El Mayor Tequila Blanco also won a Gold medal for complex aromas of “ripe stone fruits and dried florals”, leading to “chilli, pepper and citrus” on the palate. From there, the competition moved onto Flavoured Tequila, where a Gold medal was handed to 1800 Coconut, with its “inviting, fresh coconut” aroma and “agave notes on the finish”. The añejo options in the super‐premium contingent were also impressive – with two reaching the Master standard. Sierra Tequila Antiguo was deemed to be Masterworthy, with its “brilliant nose full of earthy spice, pepper” and “very well integrated oak” that “beautifully supports the spirit”. El Mayor Tequila Añejo also secured the top Master accolade. Smith found “bright agave on the nose, salted caramel notes; great balance of spirit and wood”.