If you didn’t know it, tequila is much more than just that crystal-clear, sometimes harsh alcohol that you used to drink as a shot with lime and salt during your college days. It’s a nuanced, complex spirit with various levels and types, each perfect for different uses and palate types.
I’ve written about alcohol for nearly two decades, and in that time, I’ve learned (and tasted) a lot about tequila. The major tip I always tell tequila newbies is to keep the blanco for cocktails and save the long-aged expressions for when their palates are a little more refined. If you’re a beginner looking to start your tequila journey, there’s no better choice than reposado.
Before we delve into this tequila type, we must give you a little background on the spirit. For those unfamiliar with it, tequila is an agave-based spirit produced in Mexico. While its heart is in the town of Tequila in the state of Jalisco, it can also be made in a handful of other states in the country. However, like bourbon, which can only be produced in the United States, tequila can only be made in Mexico.
The different types of tequila include blanco, reposado, añejo, extra añejo, joven, cristalino, and mixto. And while we could detail the ages, flavor profiles, and uses for each, today is all about reposado tequila.
What is reposado tequila, and why is it an excellent choice for beginners?
There are many reasons why reposado tequila is an excellent choice for tequila beginners. To be considered a reposado, the tequila must be matured between two and eleven months. That means it has to spend some time in the barrel, but not as much as a year. Popular choices for aging reposado tequila include American and European (usually French) oak.
Since it’s matured for at least a few months, it gains more of a nuanced, well-rounded flavor profile than its young (or completely unaged) blanco counterpart. Many blanco tequilas are crafted to be imbibed as a shot or mixed into a tequila-based cocktail. A well-made reposado tequila is usually inexpensive (compared to an añejo or extra añejo tequila). Still, it has enough aroma and flavor to be used as a complex mixer or a bargain sipper. For the price, it’s the best of both worlds.
What does reposado taste like?
Since it’s matured between two and eleven months, a well-made reposado tequila will still have some of the agave sweetness of a blanco, along with notes like toffee, oak, vanilla, caramel, chocolate, and baking spices from the time spent maturing in wooden barrels.
Reposado is a great choice for cocktails
As we mentioned earlier, reposado is an excellent choice as a base for tequila-based cocktails. Instead of using Blanco tequila, the added aging will bring nuanced flavors to your favorite cocktails including the classic Margarita, Paloma, and even the refreshing, easy-to-make Ranch Water.
Bottom line
If you’re a tequila beginner looking for more than a tequila for mixing and shooting with salt and lime, you’ll want to purchase a bottle of reposado tequila. You’ll be surprised how often you turn to this versatile style.
