If you consider yourself a fan of tequila, then you'll know the
re are many types of tequilas and many ways to enjoy them, including La Gritona Reposado tequila. Below, we'll dive into what Reposado tequila is and give our review.
All You Need to Know About Reposado Tequila
Reposado tequila is a “rested” tequila, aged in oak barrels for anywhere from 2-6 months, with some aged up to a year. During the aging process, it creates a distinct, soft flavor while making the agave notes more appreciated. If you talk to many tequila drinkers, they may refer to themselves as repo drinkers.
With a golden, dark color, Reposado typically has notes of honey and caramel with a toasty, warm finish. What makes Reposados unique is that it has classic spice and citrus flavors, combining the complexity of vanilla, cinnamon, chili, and chocolate.
There are a few options if you’re looking to enjoy a nice Reposado, such as La Gritona. Many reposados can hold their own when mixed into a Margarita, not taking away from the syrups or fruity flavors. Some reposados, however, allow the sweet and agave flavors to come through to enjoy it neat or on the rocks.
Since Reposado tequila is reasonably priced, it’s a favorite among bartenders worldwide when making cocktails. In fact, many distillers claim that Reposados are one of the most complex types of tequilas to get just right.
La Gritona Reposado: Brief History
Made by master distiller Melly Barajas, La Gritona reposado is distilled in Valle De Guadalupe only with matured agave. La Gritona is 8-10 years old, and its agave plants are cultivated at the top of sugar production. These agave plants are placed into ovens within 24 hours of their trimming.
What expert tequila drinkers love most about La Gritona reposado is that it has and always will be additive-free. Melly's agave is steamed and cooked in two ovens for approximately 24 hours, followed by another 24 hours of rest before it’s crushed. Using natural fermentation, the liquid is collected and oxygenated by the local temperature, typically between 8 and 12 days.
Once Melly completes the fermentation process, she distills her nascent blanco tequila. She uses American whiskey barrels to rest the distiller blanco for approximately six months before it can be bottled. La Gritona reposado is very pale in color, which is surprising for a tequila that rests for six months.
Melly reuses the same barrels, allowing them to become stripped of their color, whiskey, and oak. What makes them unique is that they love for the barrel notes to be stunted as little as possible in their tequila. The aging of La Gritona reposado is used to round and soften the tequila from which it’s derived.
Melly intends to keep the agave plant's crisp and verdant qualities intact while still allowing La Gritona to age briefly. La Gritona does not use tahona or copper stills and does not diffuse. Using a steel mill, the cooked agave is crushed and distilled with copper coils. The entire production process happens under one roof using only a small staff of women who oversee the process from beginning to end.
Any leftover agave is given to farmers to feed to cattle. La Gritona Reposado bottles are made using hand-blown, recycled glass.
La Gritona Reposado
To begin with, La Gritona has a slight sweetness, keeping its true essence and aroma from its distilled plant. Even though La Gritona is rested for six months in oak barrels, it has an herbaceous taste, with notes of agave that haven’t been affected by its barreling process. As a vegetal tequila, La Gritona reposado doesn’t have vanilla, pepper, or oak.
With its crisp qualities, La Gritona reposado resembles a silver tequila while still showing signs of deliberate aging. This tequila has a round finish with absolutely zero burn. I recommend drinking La Gritona reposado with no mixer, salt, lime, or ice, in addition to pairing it with a Mexican pilsner.
At first taste, you may detect an earthy scent and cherry flavors, followed by hints of grapefruit, lime, and citrus. You might even detect a slight sweetness of cola and yellow corn. As La Gritona Reposado opens, the aroma evolves into notes of ripe banana, vanilla and bean.
It has a short but satisfying finish, offering hints of almond, a dry sensation, and undertones of asparagus. As it goes down, you’ll receive a pleasant feeling with a gentle kick of black tea and pepper spice.
Overall, La Gritona Reposado is a reliable choice, giving drinkers straightforward character. The touch of the oak barrel gives the La Gritona a softness to its spice, providing a drinkable experience. While this additive-free tequila is a smooth one, this tequila is a pleasure to taste.
La Gritona Reposado: FAQ
1. What are the rules for reposado?
The regulations for reposado require it to be aged for two months but no longer than 364 days. There is no size restriction when aging, so vessels can vary from standard 220-liter barrels to wooden vats.
2. What is the best way to drink Reposado tequila?
Reposado tequila is best drunk on the rocks, as it is an excellent addition to stirred cocktails.
3. How do you drink La Gritona?
While you can drink La Gritona tequila any way you enjoy, one of the most popular ways tequila experts drink it is on the rocks, straight, or in a cocktail.
4. Does La Gritona Reposado tequila have additives?
La Gritona tequila has always been additive-free.
5. How long is La Gritona Reposado tequila aged for?
La Gritona Reposado tequila is aged eight months in American whiskey barrels before being bottled without additives.
