Late final 12 months, El Tesoro launched a brand new line of tequilas referred to as The Mundial Assortment, which might be constructed round numerous whiskey cask finishes. “Mundial” interprets to “world” in Spanish — a cue that you simply’re going to see finishes from far and wide used on this lineup.
The primary two releases are construct round Knob Creek Rye and Laphroaig Scotch. Manufacturing particulars for every observe in our critiques beneath.
Each are 80 proof. NOM 1139.
El Tesoro Mundial Assortment: Knob Creek Rye Version – That is El Tesoro Anejo completed for 12 months in Knob Creek Rye barrels. An American rye cask end isn’t an enormous stretch for this tequila, and certain sufficient the Knob Creek Rye barrel is sort of complementary to an already stellar product. Huge with caramel and vanilla on the nostril, it comes throughout rather a lot like an additional anejo, with well-integrated however subdued agave notes and a slight contact of lemon peel. A lot the identical on the creamy, lush palate, the place an natural high quality is a little more evident together with a sprinkle of barrel char and a few toasted cereal notes. Whether or not that is all pushed by the agave, the rye, or each is indeterminate, however regardless of the case is, the addition is complementary and fascinating, including a bit of kick to an in any other case dessert-heavy expertise which may in any other case come throughout as a bit of too candy. Surprisingly mild in colour, the tequila tips you up entrance into assuming its barrel affect might be restrained, bringing issues nearer to blanco territory. Not so: This can be a groovy, seductive tequila that’s constructed for after-dinner sipping and reflection. Beautiful. A
El Tesoro Mundial Assortment: Laphroaig Version – And now for one thing fully completely different: El Tesoro Anejo completed for 12 months in peaty Laphroaig casks. You’d assume a peated Scotch would have carried out a quantity on a silky candy tequila, however that’s surprisingly not the case. Right here we discover a nostril that’s solely gently smoky and earthy. That mentioned, it strikes a way more highly effective fragrant look, providing a a lot denser core of agave, barrel char, and caramel that comes throughout as closely toasted reasonably than gently simmered. The palate infuses all of that with a extra forceful, inexperienced agave high quality, now exhibiting among the peated parts in light, restrained style. Bolder from each angle, the tequila sees a beautiful, mild salinity because the end approaches, tempered with extra vanilla and milk chocolate, and a lingering trace of smoke. All instructed, I had hassle deciding if I most popular this extra intense, smoldering expertise or the effusive, dessert-like Knob Creek expression, bouncing forwards and backwards between the 2 for greater than an hour. Ultimately, I needed to resolve it was all a matter of momentary mindset. You may’t go improper both means. A
every $175 / eltesorotequila.com
El Tesoro Mundial Assortment: Knob Creek Rye Version
$175
