El Mexicano is a family affair – tequila produced at distillery Tequilas “Hacienda” El Mexicano (NOM 1588) in Arandas in the Jalisco Highlands by master distiller León Bañuelos, Sr., and his children, Willy, Teresa, Tesy, and León, Jr.
The distillery uses Highlands Blue Weber agave at least 6-years-old cooked in a low-pressure autoclave for 18-24 hours. The sugars are extracted using a roller mill and fermented in open stainless steel tanks before 2x-distillation in stainless steel pot stills to avoid the flavor copper pots can impart. It is bottled at 80 proof (40% ABV). The reposado is a blend of tequilas aged for 90 days in American White Oak (80%) and French Oak barrels both open-air seasoned for 24-36 months.
The lote (batch) under review is #L 25 212 (bottled 24 July 2025). This review is based on multiple separate tastings conducted using Denver & Liely Mezcal and Riedel Ouverture Tequila Flute glasses with varying aeration times over 9 months.
COLOR: Light gold/straw yellow
AROMA PROFILE: Sweet orchard fruits (peaches, apricots) & sweet citrus (lemon & lime), honey, cooked agave & baking spices (cinnamon & nutmeg), white pepper, vanilla, & herbal notes – the aroma profile overall is subtle.
PALATE: Cooked agave & robust baking spices from the nose + cloves, black pepper, oak & oak tannins, maple, anise, herbal/grassy notes, orchard fruits & berries, citrus peel (lemon, lime, grapefruit), light caramel, vanilla, butter, minerality, & salinity – the flavor profile improves significantly after the bottle has been open for a few weeks to a month.
MOUTHFEEL: Medium viscosity in the glass & a medium creamy mouthfeel
FINISH: 8-9 seconds
ALWAYS ON SHELF/BUY AGAIN? Yes – a good reposado that’s a nice mix of baking spices, black pepper, oak, herbal notes, dried citrus peel, fruit notes, light caramel & vanilla, & minerality.
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