El Tequileno Reposado Gran Reserva Tequila 70cl

El Tequileño is one of the rare brands that still makes everything at its own distillery — La Guarreña, in the town of Tequila itself, going back to Don Jorge Salles Cuervo in 1959. The Gran Reserva is their reposado turned up a notch: a spirit rested at least eight months in American oak, then blended with an 18-month añejo to add depth the standard reposado doesn't reach.

This is lowland tequila, distilled in the shadow of the Volcán de Tequila using its volcanic spring water and 100% blue Weber agave. It's additive-free, copper pot distilled, and still run by the Salles family three generations on. The blending is the clever bit — you get the freshness of a reposado with a rounder, oakier backbone folded through it.

The nose is generous and sweet: ripe banana, caramelised pear, a dusting of nutmeg over vanilla and caramel. The palate keeps that easygoing charm — light oak, more vanilla, a touch of toffee and a nutty macadamia richness. It finishes soft and silky, the agave sweetness lingering with just a gentle drying warmth. At 40% it's approachable enough to sip and characterful enough to reward attention.

Honestly, for the money this punches well above its weight. It's the sort of bottle you keep within reach rather than saving for best.

How to Serve

Neat in a copita or small tumbler at room temperature is the purist's way, and it suits this one. It also makes a genuinely excellent old fashioned or Tequila-based sipper on a single large rock if the mood is more relaxed.

Where to Drink It

Tayēr + Elementary in Shoreditch, for agave done properly and without fuss. Swift in Soho, for a well-made agave cocktail. Boisdale, for a slow one after dinner.

Food Pairings

Try it with grilled prawns and a squeeze of lime — the banana-and-caramel notes love a bit of char. Or sip it alongside a slice of banana bread and lean right into the flavours.