October 18, 2006

Fina Estampa Reposado Tequila Review

Fina Estampa Reposado
100% Agave Golden Tequila
Imported from Mexico
80 Proof (40% ABV)
Typical Price: $35-$40
Fina Estampa Website

It's really tough not to make "stamp of approval" jokes about Fina Estampa - after all, our brush with their blanco was a joyful experience. But, as we look down the barrel of their reposado we're torn between concerns of a sophomore slump and worries that the guys at Fina Estampa have made tequila good enough to finally push us over the edge to full-blown alcoholics. Either way, we were approaching the Reposado with a little bit of nervousness, but that wasn't the only reason our hands were shaking as we poured our glass...it was also excitement.

Color:
Pale Straw

Nose:
Light and peppery, with a slightly sour tang.

Taste:
Thin and peppery, a bit on the smokey side. There's a sharpness up front accompanied by a briny seawater flavor, but there is a sweetness on the back end that mellows it out. Reposados are typically aged from two months to a year, which means it's generally not as youthful and fiery as blanco but not as mellow as an anejo. We like to think of them as the tweener of tequilas - bratty but on their way to adulthood, and definitely a demographic you should pay attention to (right EnuhCorK?) This one fits right into that mold.

Verdict:
All in all we were very impressed with Fina Estampa's Reposado. We liked it straight, and it was great on the rocks with a little twist of lime. This is the one for you if you're scared off by blancos and want something that's been tamed a bit by oak. Don't be afraid to throw this in a margarita either, but please just make sure to make your own...we recommend Cointreau instead of Triple Sec and using real limes. But that's just, like, our opinion man.

Below is a list of the places where you can currently get your hands on a bottle:

Oregon
California
Idaho
Colorado
New Mexico
Michigan
Florida
Georgia
Tennessee
New York
New Jersey
Indiana
Illinois
Also available online at HiTimeWine