SHORT REVIEW: Código 1530 Reposado Tequila – 1st Full Bottle (LNV080REP40)

Código 1530 (Codigo) produces its tequilas at distillery Varo Destileria (NOM 1616) located in Amatitán (Amatitan) in Jalisco’s Valley region. The brand uses mature Blue Weber agaves and is produced using a low-pressure autoclave, a self-designed chopper to macerate the cooked agave to extract the aguamiel, and stainless steel tanks for fermentation using local bakery yeast before being 2x-distilled using stainless steel pot stills. The brand’s reposado is aged for six months in Napa Valley Cabernet wine casks made from French White Oak. The finished tequilas are brought to bottling proof of 80 (40% ABV) using local freshwater pools and rainwater.

My review is based on multiple separate notes-taking sessions over 3 months using Denver & Liely Mezcal and Riedel Ouverture Tequila Flute glasses. The lote (batch) under review is LNV080REP40, bottled 12 November 2024.

COLOR: Light straw yellow

AROMA PROFILE: Rich in sweet, cooked agave & baking spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, cloves), caramel, vanilla, dried fruits, oak, & hints of black pepper & citrus.

PALATE: Cooked agave & the baking spices from the nose, caramel, vanilla, strong black pepper, oak, anise & herbal notes, dried fruits & fruit skin tannins – The flavor profile is earthy, herbal/grassy, with robust cooked agave/baking spices & a measured, earthy sweetness. The Cabernet cask influence is present but subtle.

FINISH: 7-9 seconds

MOUTHFEEL: Viscous & full (surprisingly so for an 80 proofer); Creamy/Oily across the palate

VALUE: Excellent earthy reposado

ALWAYS ON SHELF/BUY AGAIN? Yes – one of my favorite sipping reposados.