Late final 12 months, El Tesoro launched a brand new line of tequilas referred to as The Mundial Assortment, which shall be constructed round varied whiskey cask finishes. “Mundial” interprets to “world” in Spanish — a cue that you simply’re going to see finishes from far and wide used on this lineup.

The primary two releases are construct round Knob Creek Rye and Laphroaig Scotch. Manufacturing particulars for every comply with in our opinions beneath.

Each are 80 proof. NOM 1139.

El Tesoro Mundial Assortment: Knob Creek Rye Version – That is El Tesoro Anejo completed for 12 months in Knob Creek Rye barrels. An American rye cask end isn’t a giant stretch for this tequila, and positive sufficient the Knob Creek Rye barrel is kind of complementary to an already stellar product. Huge with caramel and vanilla on the nostril, it comes throughout lots like an additional anejo, with well-integrated however subdued agave notes and a slight contact of lemon peel. A lot the identical on the creamy, lush palate, the place an natural high quality is a little more evident together with a sprinkle of barrel char and a few toasted cereal notes. Whether or not that is all pushed by the agave, the rye, or each is indeterminate, however regardless of the case is, the addition is complementary and interesting, including a bit of kick to an in any other case dessert-heavy expertise which may in any other case come throughout as a bit of too candy. Surprisingly mild in colour, the tequila tips you up entrance into assuming its barrel affect shall be restrained, bringing issues nearer to blanco territory. Not so: It is a groovy, seductive tequila that’s constructed for after-dinner sipping and reflection. Pretty. A

El Tesoro Mundial Assortment: Laphroaig Version – And now for one thing utterly completely different: El Tesoro Anejo completed for 12 months in peaty Laphroaig casks. You’ll assume a peated Scotch would have completed a quantity on a silky candy tequila, however that’s surprisingly not the case. Right here we discover a nostril that’s solely gently smoky and earthy. That mentioned, it strikes a way more highly effective fragrant look, providing a a lot denser core of agave, barrel char, and caramel that comes throughout as closely toasted relatively than gently simmered. The palate infuses all of that with a extra forceful, inexperienced agave high quality, now exhibiting a few of the peated components in mild, restrained style. Bolder from each angle, the tequila sees a beautiful, mild salinity because the end approaches, tempered with extra vanilla and milk chocolate, and a lingering trace of smoke. All informed, I had hassle deciding if I most well-liked this extra intense, smoldering expertise or the effusive, dessert-like Knob Creek expression, bouncing forwards and backwards between the 2 for greater than an hour. In the long run, I needed to determine it was all a matter of momentary mindset. You possibly can’t go flawed both approach. A

every $175 / eltesorotequila.com

El Tesoro Mundial Assortment: Knob Creek Rye Version

$175