Initial Thoughts
I must admit, I’m not quite a Tequila aficionado yet. I’m still learning all the ins and outs of the tequila business. I have a pretty good understanding of how it’s cultivated and distilled. The important part is trying to cut through all the marketing talk and get down to the heart of the product.
I received samples of 3 of the 4 lines from the Partida Tequila company. It’s a fairly new product that is starting to take off here in the states. According to their site: “Partida Tequila is an authentic, all-natural, estate-grown ultra-premium Tequila, made from 100% blue agave in the Tequila Valley, the heart of Mexico’s historic Tequila region.”
They also lay claim to aging their ‘la piña’ 7-1o years. The ‘la piña’ is the bulb of the plant from which all the leaves extend. The longer that the bulb is in the ground the more mature the sugars become. These mature sugars create a more elegant and ripe flavor in the tequila.
Partida also cooks their ‘la piñas’ differently than most tequila manufacturers. They use new stainless steel ovens instead of old stone ovens. They believe that the old stone ovens build up bitterness with time from all the soot that has collected over the years. They believe this helps set their tequila apart from others out there in the marketplace.
My favorite part about their tequila process is that the spirit is aged in Jack Daniel barrels, now we’re talking. The Partida Añejo Tequila (which I’m reviewing today), Resposado, & the Elegante are all aged in Jack Barrels for differing amounts of time. Because of this aging technique some of the common whiskey flavors have lended themselves to this tequila. I’m excited to crack open these sample bottles and get on with it. So let’s get started.
Looks
The sample bottles aren’t nearly as detailed as the image above. I have to say I do like the packaging and overall look and feel of the brand. The bottle reminds me the Four Roses Small Batch bottle. A little short and squatty, with a nice roundness to it. The color of the Partida Añejo Tequila is a light yellow and looks as if it’s young whiskey that was pulled from the barrel too soon. This tequila has only aged 18 months so that is a large factor on the coloring of the spirit. It’s time to pour a dram and see what sort of flavors we get from this barrel aged tequila.
Reviewed Neat
Nose
As I pour the Partida Añejo Tequila from the sample bottle I begin to pick up a very citrusy acidic note. I swirl the glass to start opening it up and I get a sweet dose of alcohol. As the vapors calm down, a sense of orange covered with chocolate with a finishing note of lemon/lime appear. Lots of citrus coming off of the glass right now. According to the their site you should get: “aroma of cherry, almond, and dried fruit”. I didn’t get the cherry or almond, but definitely the dried fruit. I think most will really pick up the citrus notes coming off they are the most present flavors on the nose from start to finish.
Palate
As I take my first swirl of the Partida Añejo Tequila I pick up a faint woody note that starts sweet and builds to a chocolaty note. Some of those common whiskey/bourbon flavors appear. The wood, sweetness, hints of banana, not much vanilla though. But definitely not how I remember most other tequilas tasting that’s for sure.
Finish
I love the finish on this tequila. It has a nice viscosity with a lingering finish, and is incredibly palatable. I love how the tequila leaves you with a nice smokey note at the end as well. That’s a great way to close out the experience of this Partida Añejo Tequila.
Conclusion:
Partida Anejo Tequila: 9/10
Overall I’m a big fan of this spirit. I’m not typically a tequila drinker as I’m sure most of you are aware. However, this stuff has hit the spot. I love the aging of that makes it more akin to whiskey/bourbon. It’s one of the easiest tequila’s that I’ve ever had to drink. I’m even contemplating going and getting a full bottle of this Añejo to see how it pairs with some cigars. Should be interesting. So if you’re in the market for some tequila and looking for something new to try. Give this Partida Añejo Tequila a shot, but don’t shoot it, sip it. You’ll be glad that you did.
