Tasting Tequila with Brad

How Tequila Encyclopedia Fell in Love with Tequila | Marissa Paragano Interview Ever wonder how Tequila Encyclopedia (Marissa Paragano) became one of the most respected voices in the tequila community? In this exclusive interview, I sit down with Marissa Paragano, creator of Tequila Encyclopedia and co-host of   @thetequiladies  to explore her incredible journey into the world of tequila. Marissa...

Lost Lore FTR vs Poco Madre Rosa Reposado | Two of the Rarest Tequilas Ever! Have you ever wondered whether limited-edition tequila is actually worth the hunt? In this review, I compare two of the rarest Lost Lore releases ever made—the FTR Special Release Reposado and the legendary Poco Madre Rosa Reposado. Both are handcrafted by Master Distiller Sergio Cruz at NOM 1414, using traditional produc...

M77 Reposado Review | Limited Edition Tequila Worth the Hype? If you've been searching for an authentic small-batch tequila, the new M77 Reposado deserves your attention. In this review, I take a deep dive into M77's newest limited-edition Reposado, discussing the traditional production process, tasting notes, French oak aging, and whether this handcrafted tequila is worth tracking down. In this v...

AVUÁ Amburana Cachaça Review | Brazil's Best Kept Spirit? Can AVUÁ Amburana Cachaça compete with the world's best craft spirits? In this review, I explore AVUÁ Amburana, a premium Brazilian Cachaça produced using fresh sugarcane juice, wild fermentation, copper pot distillation, and aged for two years in native Amburana wood. If you're a tequila lover looking to branch out into another traditional...

Why Siempre Añejo Never Disappoints | Sergio Cruz's Incredible Tequila Review Is Siempre Añejo really one of the best additive-free tequilas available today? In this review, I take a closer look at Siempre Añejo (NOM 1414) and explain why it continues to be one of my favorite tequilas. Produced by Sergio Cruz, this tequila is crafted using estate-grown Blue Weber Agave, traditional masonry ovens,...

Mezcal Local Founder Interview | Tradition, Terroir & Family with Jerónimo Dorbecker Have you ever wondered what truly makes a traditional mezcal different? In this exclusive interview, I sit down with Jerónimo Dorbecker, founder of Mezcal Local, to discuss the philosophy behind one of Mexico's most authentic artisanal mezcal brands. We explore the importance of tradition, terroir, family heri...

Acre Largo Joven Rosa Review | Is This the Best Rosa Tequila Yet? Is Rosa tequila actually worth drinking, or is it just another marketing gimmick? In this review, I take a deep dive into Acre Largo Joven Rosa, an additive-free tequila produced at NOM 1580 in Jesús María, Jalisco. Crafted from 100% estate-grown Blue Weber agave, this unique Joven Rosa is created by blending Blanco and Reposado teq...

Tahona Blind Tasting | Can Fortaleza Beat Cambio, Maestro Dobel & Señora Leona? Can a brand-new tahona tequila beat some of the most respected tequilas on the market? In this blind tasting, I compare Fortaleza Blanco, Cambio Tequila Blanco, Maestro Dobel Tahona Blanco, and Señora Leona Blanco without knowing which glass is which. Every tequila in this lineup uses traditional tahona crushing, c...

Best Organic Tequila Under $30? | Señora Leona Blanco Review Can you really buy a certified organic, additive-free tequila for under $30? In this review, I take a deep dive into Señora Leona Blanco, a certified organic tequila produced at NOM 1607. Made from 100% Blue Weber Agave grown in the volcanic soils of Amatitán, Jalisco, this affordable tequila combines traditional production methods with...

Maestro Dobel Tahona Blanco Review | Should You Try This New Tahona Tequila? A surprise package arrived from Maestro Dobel, featuring their new Maestro Dobel Tahona Blanco. But can a brand best known for Cristalino tequila create a truly traditional additive-free tequila? In this review, I take a deep dive into Maestro Dobel Tahona Blanco, produced using traditional methods including 100% Blue Web...

Best Tequila Brands for Every Back Bar? | Must-Have Tequila Picks If you're opening a tequila bar or building an agave-focused restaurant, what tequila brands should be on your back bar? In this video, I share the tequila brands I believe every serious back bar should consider. We discuss additive-free favorites including Fortaleza, G4, Ocho, Cascahuín, Don Fulano, Siempre, Lost Lore, Zumbador, Ch...

Desolas Blanco vs Reposado Review | Can Low-Smoke Mezcal Change Your Mind? Is Desolas Mezcal changing the way people think about mezcal? In this review, I take a deep dive into both the Desolas Blanco and Desolas Reposado, a unique low-smoke mezcal crafted from 100% Salmiana agave in San Luis Potosí, Mexico (AAMA 178). Unlike traditional mezcals that are cooked in underground earthen pits, Desolas...

Espíritu Bramido Master Distiller Interview | Can Chapala Make Great Tequila? Can a new tequila region change the future of additive-free tequila? In this exclusive interview, I sit down with 29-year-old Master Distiller Oswaldo González of Tequila Espíritu Bramido to discuss how he's creating one of the most exciting new additive-free tequilas in Mexico. Oswaldo shares the story behind Espíritu B...

Arette x The Tequila Report Single Barrel Reposado Review | Is It Worth Buying? Is this the most unique Arette ever bottled? Today, I take a deep dive into the Arette x The Tequila Report Single Barrel Reposado, a limited-edition release with only 258 bottles produced. Crafted at El Llano Distillery (NOM 1109) by the Orendain family, this special reposado was aged for just under five months in a N...

Chamucos Extra Añejo Cask Strength Review | Is It Worth Buying? Is Chamucos Extra Añejo Cask Strength (88.8 Proof) worth buying? In this review, I take a deep dive into Chamucos Extra Añejo Cask Strength, an additive-free tequila produced at NOM 1586 Casa de Piedra. We explore the history of Chamucos, its traditional production methods, and the unique blend of 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old Extra Añejo te...

Casa Azul Orgánico Tequila Blanco Review | Is It Worth Buying? Is Casa Azul Orgánico Tequila Blanco worth buying? In this review, I take an in-depth look at Casa Azul Orgánico Tequila Blanco, an additive-free, USDA Certified Organic tequila now produced at NOM 1646 (Destiladora La Roca). We discuss why founder Lance Collins, known for building brands like Fuze, CORE Hydration, and BodyArmor, enter...

Xoloitzcuintle Extra Añejo | French White Oak vs American White Oak Tequila Review Can French White Oak and American White Oak create completely different Extra Añejo tequilas? In this review, I compare two rare Xoloitzcuintle Extra Añejo Tequilas produced at NOM 1545. One is the French White Oak Cask Strength Extra Añejo (54.73% ABV), while the other is the American White Oak Single Barrel Extra...

Acrónimo Sotol Blanco Review | Traditional Sotol from Chihuahua What makes sotol one of Mexico's most exciting emerging spirits? In this review, Brad explores Acrónimo Sotol Blanco, a traditional, family-owned, female-led spirit produced at Casa Inspiración in Aldama, Chihuahua by fourth-generation Maestro Sotolero Gerardo Ruelas. Using a unique blend of Cedrosanum and Wheeleri Dasylirion species,...

Mezcal Vago Elote Review | The Most Unique Artisanal Mezcal? Is Mezcal Vago Elote one of the most unique artisanal mezcals ever made? In this comprehensive review, Brad explores Mezcal Vago Elote, an exceptional artisanal mezcal produced in Oaxaca using traditional methods passed down through generations. Learn how 100% Espadín agave is roasted in an underground pit oven, crushed with a tahona, na...

Jimmy Villalobos Sauza Interview | Tequila Production & Fermentation What truly creates flavor in tequila? In this exclusive interview, Brad Niccum sits down with fifth-generation tequila producer and master distiller Jimmy Villalobos Sauza for an in-depth conversation covering tequila production, sensory analysis, fermentation, Tahona vs. Roller Mill extraction, and the science behind what cr...

Música Techno Plata Reserva High Proof Review | Can Music Change Tequila? Can music actually influence the way tequila tastes? In this review, we explore the limited-edition Música Techno Plata Reserva High Proof Tequila, an additive-free tequila handcrafted at NOM 1598 in the Valley of Jalisco, Mexico. Brad shares insights from his conversation with Música Tequila founder Chris, discussing the br...

Astral Tequila Blanco Review | Original NOM 1137 vs New NOM 1607 | Is It Still Worth Buying? What happens when an artisanal tequila brand is acquired by one of the world's largest spirits companies? Does the tequila improve, stay the same, or lose what made it special? In this video, we compare two generations of Astral Tequila Blanco side by side—the original NOM 1137 release and the newer NOM 16...

Poral Mexican Coffee Liqueur Review | Real Coffee Meets Cambio Tequila Most coffee liqueurs are loaded with sugar. Poral Mexican Coffee Liqueur takes a completely different approach by combining authentic coffee with premium tequila instead of overwhelming sweetness. In this review, we're taking a closer look at Poral Mexican Coffee Liqueur, created by the team behind Cambio Tequila, to find out w...

El Tesoro Mundial Collection | Basil Hayden Toast Edition I found this **El Tesoro Mundial Collection – Basil Hayden Toast Edition** sitting on a clearance rack at a local liquor store in Indianapolis, and today we're going to taste it and talk about the entire **Mundial Collection**. This limited release is made at **La Alteña Distillery NOM 1139** and is part of the Mundial Collection, a series...

Tierra de Ensueño Batch 9 Blanco | 50 Days in Weller Bourbon Barrels What does Weller Special Reserve and Tierra de Ensueño Batch 9  Blanco have in common? In this video, we talk about why Master Distiller Sergio Cruz and Master Blender Oscar Vázquez Camarena rested this Blanco 50 Days in Weller Bourbon Barrels, why it still drinks like a Blanco, and what makes Batch 9 unique. Topics in this video...