Tesoro means someone kind or charming, which feels slightly odd for a volcanic guided tequila. Overall we have little complaints about El Tesoro as anything that can make a damn good margarita and not break the bank is a worthy tequila to have. The best part here though is that unlike many other tequilas from last year, this isn’t a sugary mess.
Instead, it has a mintier taste, and it makes it feel more enjoyable taste that sort of cleanses you. The comparison to Trago is very clear as they feel rather similar, although this is lesser in both taste and cost. However, because of that, it might be a better option if you are looking for a tequila that doesn’t knock you down but brings you up.
What they Say: “El Tesoro is crafted at La Altena Distillery, Founded by my grandfather, Don Felipe Camarena, in 1937. We Make tequila here almost exactly as he did then, and for the very same reasons: to pay tribute to our fields of agave, and to make a spirit worth sipping.
At La Altena, tradition matters. We still cook our agaves in old-fashioned ovens, crush them with a volcanic tahona wheel, and double-distill our tequila to proof, without any additives. Our Reposado spirit then slowly ages in ex-bourbon barrels, taking on a subtle into of their sweetness and a touch of the fine vanilla complimenting the rich, smoky essence of agave.”
Taste: 7.0 – It’s sweet with just a bit of agave and a minty taste. It’s quite an enjoyable invigorating taste.
Aftertaste: 8.0 – The agave/mint stays, and then it’s like there’s a flare-up of smoky agave and wood. It just keeps hitting you in waves. It finally ends with a long almost minty refreshing taste. Certainly, one of the more tasty and complex tequilas we’ve seen in a while, and daresay in this aspect better than Trago.
Burn/Smooth: 6.0 – There’s a bit of harshness up front, but that smoke does warm a bit. It’s not super smooth, but the fresh taste helps you out here.
Aroma: 8.5 – That is potent smelling even from a distance. It has thankfully earned to be in your nostrils as it’s superb. The agave hits you just right w/o being overpowering, and there’s even a bit of what smells like salt and lime already built in.
Honesty: 6.0 – They have minimal wank, mostly process and family talk which is nice. The bottle seems to have this odd rock like topper meant to symbolize the volcanic wheel they use which is – okay. (It’s a bit gimmicky, but it’s also distinctive and stylistic so it cancels out.) Otherwise, on the look, they do well. So not many points gained, but none lost as well.
Mixability: 6.5
Margarita: 8.0 – It feels wrong to say that this margarita feels more ‘fresh’, but that’s what you get. (again we use a standard mix for repeatability). It is however too dangerous, by which we mean it’s so easy to down like 7 of these.
Tequila Sunrise: 5.0 – Here it’s okay. The odd taste though doesn’t complement the drink.
Value: 6.0 – This has a whole 5 point difference (excluding value) compared to Trago, and is a full 13 dollars cheaper. We don’t mean to harp on the comparison, but they are akin, and because of how good this can be it actually beats it in value.
Google Shop Average: $48
Website: https://www.eltesorotequila.com/
Reviewer Scores:
BuffaloJern: 7.5
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Metric Score: 48/70 |+| Metric Average: 6.86 |+| Reviewer Average: 7.5
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Final Thoughts: Based on the text is does make one wonder about the connection to a similarly named Camarena tequila which if memory serves was not great, or at best not as good as this. We’ve said it near 5 times already, but this is one of the better tequilas on this site.
The Camarena connection is it’s the same family of distillers. A decedent is the one making El Tesoro if I remember correctly. I don’t believe there is a connection between the distilleries/juice though. This is by far my new favorite “price conscience” tequila!