9 Christopher Null - DRINKHACKER.COM

Score - 9 out of 10.... Like El Mayor’s sherry-aged XA expression, this tequila leads not with sweetness and fruit but with peppery agave, green and a little leathery, with some floral elements — more dried than fresh — in attendance. A bit toasty with light oak notes as it develops, with winey fruit notes emerging on the nose with a bit of time. That said, these elements never dominate. The palate does a good job of combining elements of agave-forwardness with more exotic overtones. Melting chocolate, raisin, and plenty of sultry vanilla show off a modest Port-driven character, with a pinch of red pepper and some cinnamon spicing things up. Port and well-aged tequila turn out to be solid bedfellows, though somehow I was hoping for more. After 3 1/2 years in Port casks, I was expecting a juicier, fruit-laden experience, but nonetheless this bottling doesn’t disappoint despite its more savory, reserved composition. As long as you’re not looking for a Port bomb, fans of well-aged tequila shouldn’t be disappointed.