Tapatio | Whisky Lady

Full disclosure – I’m not a traditional tequila fan. I’m more apt to have whiskies finished in tequila barrels rather than tequila itself! Or perhaps in a tasty paloma cocktail. However, there is no mistaking the incredible rise in interest in craft tequila – hence my excitement for our evening focused on small sips of a remarkable range of spirits!

After exploring an Introduction to Tequila with a trio from Milagro, Ocho, and Casamigos, and then a tour of Mezcal with a quintet from Ojo de Dios, Casamigos, The Lost Explorer, and two expressions from Ilegal, we closed our evening with a duo from Tapatío – the one tequila brand on my spirits radar thanks to their Tapatío Extra Añejo expression!

Tapatío is produced at La Alteña Distillery in the highlands of Jalisco. Still family-owned and overseen by master distiller Carlos Camarena, La Alteña is known for its commitment to old-world methods: slow-cooked agave in stone ovens, extraction using a traditional tahona, open fermentation, and distillation in small copper pot stills.

There are no shortcuts —no industrial efficiencies, no flavor manipulation—just mature Blue Weber agave speaking unadorned or transformed with oak and time.

Welcome to the final part of a fascinating evening with:

Tapatío Reposado Tequila 38% ~£30
Tapatio Excelencia Gran Reserva Extra Añejo Tequila 40% ~£230

So… what did we think?

Tapatío Reposado Tequila 38%

Tapatío Reposado represents a more traditional, old-school tequila style. Lower in alcohol but rich in character, it emphasizes cooked agave and restrained oak.

Nose: A lovely, inviting aroma of fruits, toasted oak, and sweet caramel
Palate: Green capsium, earthy agave
Finish: Dry, fresh, and medium length
Tasting Tip: A favorite among tequila purists — sip neat at room temperature

It was described as incredibly approachable – almost “airy”. A lovely example of what just a bit of time “resting” in oak can do.

Tapatio Excelencia Gran Reserva Extra Añejo Tequila 40%

The Tapatio Excelencia Gran Reserva Extra Añejo is matured for around four years. A combination of casks is used, including French oak and American oak, resulting in a remarkable experience.

Nose: Cedar, lightly herbal, some tumeric, vanilla, nuanced
Palate: Stevia sweetener, dark chocolate, malty, rolls around the tongue with loads of balance and complexity
Finish: Light pepper, wood influence lingers

I began our evening sipping this expression in a Glencairn glass – just to check it was still worthy after being open for several years. Thankfully, it not only stood the test of time, it also closed our evening with something mature, complex, and enjoyable – particularly with a cigar!

Just like when I first sampled this tequila, there was no question that it gained tremendously from the years resting in oak. Whilst still clearly having agave as its origins, it morphed into a whisky-adjacent spirit in a rather wonderful way.

Tasting the Tapatío Reposado alongside the Extra Añejo was a great opportunity to experience how time in barrel transforms the same spirit: from agave-forward structure to layered richness and depth. Truly a treat!

Curious about what else we explored? Check out:

Part 1: Intro to TEQUILA

Part 2: Tour of MEZCAL

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While Whisky Lady was created to celebrate sampling whiskies, every once and a while I come across something that is just too exceptional – it deserves sharing even if it isn’t whisky!

I should start by confessing, I’m generally not a tequila drinker. Shots aren’t my thing. Neither are margaritas, daiquiri, etc… To top it off, nights where tequila is involved have a tendency to end strangely.

However on a trip through Singapore last year, I challenged the great guys at La Maison du Whisky to suggest something entirely different for our Mumbai whisky sampling gang.

Out came this remarkable tequila… I had a few sips and could not resist!

Tapatio Excelencia Gran Reserva Extra Anejo 40%

Colour – Burnished copper
Nose – Herbs, clean, turmeric, sweet… as it opened up with air even more sweet notes joined the choir – vanilla, stewed fruits, salty almonds
Taste – Bitter medicinal, briny sea salt, wet forest, undertone of dark chocolate
Finish – Peppery, buttery, spicy yet smooth

It was without a doubt, the real ‘googly’ of the evening for my whisky quaffing companions.

All expected another whisky, so when I brought out for blind tasting an ‘extra anejo’ – tequila matured in bourbon barrels – palates were pre-calibrated to anticipate whisky. The colour could almost pass as whisky… naturally our resident expert caught on however I gave him ‘the look’ to not spill the beans and instead let others discover without influence.

An exceptional tequila in a class of its own – 100% agave anejo from Carlos Camarena of the La Altena distillery using traditional production methods with brick ovens, wooden vats and copper stills. This extra anejo is aged for around four years – making it one of the oldest tequilas on the market.

I pulled out a premium blue agave to compare – clearly proving just how different it is from its brethren!

It really is something else and exactly the kind of tequila which appeals to whisky aficionados!

I first shared this special find with our whisky tasting team on 14 June 2014 together with Tyrconnell, Ledaig 1997 and Talisker Dark Storm.

It occasionally gets pulled out again for the appreciation of a few extra special true tequila lovers… As I do not expect to source another bottle of this rare find… will continue to be stingy about sharing for as long as it lasts!

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