2020, well it’s certainly a new year despite the same old problems going on – a microcosm of this tequila if we’re honest. No part of this is truly terrible (well the price is for what you’re getting) but it is overall just – fine. The same beats told again of not having anything spectacular, burn a little too much, and then to compound the sin – basic ass mixers.
They say just below that tequila has not been made like this, and we’re not saying maybe it shouldn’t, but if that’s what you are putting out into the universe – it better be unlike anything else instead of what we get – mediocre.
What they Say: “Tequila like this has not been made in over 150 years – heritage sites, ancient production and an honest proof. Be Authentic, Taste the Original. www.tequilaastral.com”
Taste: 6.0 – Incredibly agave at first, no touch of citrus, or spice, or anything for that matter. It’s not awful though and really just leans into that agave.
Aftertaste: 4.5 – Certainly has a bit more mint flavor on the backend, which kinda sucks. Sure the agave continues and there’s like the barest hint of smoke, but otherwise, it’s less refreshing and more ‘existing’
Burn/Smooth: 3.0 – The mint helps the medicine go down, but damn this certainly isn’t a smooth sipper. The burn hits you like any other tequila of less reputable nature would.
Aroma: 5.5 – That is a very upfront ‘heyo tequila’ kinda smell. It has a whiff of offness (as usual), and little beyond the agave to make it terribly unique, but boy is it some tequila.
Honesty: 6.5 – Oxford comma aside, we respect that the tequila only talks about how it is made (using old locations and techniques) without waxing poetically about said set-pieces.
Mixability: 5.17
W/ Rocks: 4.5 – That fails to solve any burn or taste issue, merely cooling what was already true.
Margarita: 5.5 – It makes a serviceable margarita. It doesn’t wow or delight, but it’s fine.
Tequila Sunrise: 5.5 – Again, it does the bare minimum of quality here, and isn’t super great.
Value: 2.0 – For that dollar value, combined with how mediocrely it mixes? Well, there are certainly better options out there, and sadly this is not one of em.
Google Shop Average: $35
Website: http://www.astraltequila.com/
Reviewer Scores:
BuffaloJern: 4.0
Want to compare this spirit against our archives? Visit our statistics page.
Metric Score: 32.67/70 |+| Metric Average: 4.67 |+| Reviewer Average: 4.0
New to Honest Booze Reviews, or just wondering how we score? See our FAQ/Review Policy.
Final Thoughts: Well we had hoped to start the year off with a bang instead of a whimper – but we suppose it’s better this way. While it’s a new year and a new decade we’ll continue to review everything as we have always done. No gimmicks, no 99/100 useless nonsense, no notes of cardamon, and no bullshit. This tequila is a soft pass from us and should be from you as well.
