Tequila Ocho is basically an 8 .... out of 10. El Refugio from 2012 bottle number 9170. Its not bad but I'm not that impressed.

Almost a year ago I wrote a review about a tequila Ocho blanco (Loa Mangos) that wasn't necessarily my personal cup of tea, but it really accomplished what this brand is all about. This vintage and terroir driven brand creates a different tequila each year from a given ranch. Different altitudes and growing conditions can create very different flavors. So even though the brand is the same, the tequila might be significantly different. So let's dive right in.

Price: $45-50/bottle

Aroma: This one is all about the agave. You like agave forward blancos, you will love the nose on this one.

Initial Taste: A pleasant cooked agave sweetness with a light hint of earthiness.

Body: A semi-oily body that conveys the in your face agave flavors nicely. The earth is still in the background and the peppery spice begins to pick up.

Finish: A very nice medium-long finish that still says AGAVE (with the capital letters). There's a hint of bitterness from the earth notes, but it rounds it out nicely.

If you are someone who likes a blanco that is not overly sweet and you crave an up front agave flavor, this is a tequila that you will really enjoy. The earth and floral notes are faint, but compliment the sweetness of the agave and spiciness of the pepper very well. Tequila Ocho is nicely put together brand. The owners and creators are passionate tequila people and should be commended for taking a "vintage" driven risk. This is a brand for sippers and tasters...probably not shooters and mixers.

Honestly, I was very disappointed in this tequila. The flavor was overall lacking and the body and finish weren't really all that pleasant either. It was clean and smooth, but not really my cup of tea.

Aroma: Earthy with not as much agave nose as I expect from a good tequila
Body: Light and clean, but not a lot of flavor and more bitterness than I like in a tequila. Only a slight amount of agave sweetness.
Finish: All earth and bitterness. It went down easy, but the overall flavor every step of the way just wasn't great.

While I didn't enjoy this bottle, the "vintage" concept of Tequila Ocho means that I might enjoy the next one because the agave will be from an entirely different ranch, For example, I really enjoyed the 2009 Anejo from this line. While admire the concept, the lack of consistency and the price point may be make it difficult for people to be repeat purchasers if they don't like the first taste the have of this line.

I first tried this tequila at the Sydney Bar Show in 2010 whilst on holiday with my wife. It is a fantastic blanco. I was also impressed with the single estate agave taken from the traditions of wine makers.

Wish I could have spent more time at the bar show sipping this tequila however work was calling me back in Newcastle!

Purchased bottle at Top Line Liquor in Glendale for $52. Tasted 12/2/08 out of a snifter at home. I was so excited when I saw that Top Line stocked this. Top Line is always on top of their game as far as selection. Anyway, about the tequila. First, it's VERY reminiscent of El Tesoro Platinum (Duh). An excellent blanco. In my opinion, a tad overpriced. I could have been just as satisfied with El Tesoro Platinum, yet my curiosity would still be there. So while I'm glad I got a bottle, I won't be rushing out to replace it when it's gone.

Aroma: Very fruity and floral, with subtle hints of pine.
Initial Taste: A thin mouth feel, upon entry there is no bitterness or sour at all, with an initial taste of cinnamon.
Body: A very bold and robust body of agave followed by earth and smoke.
FInish: a semi heated finish of medium duration with an interesting lingering of spearmint.