Trader Joe's Distinqt Tequila Reposado
While shopping for some orange juice at a local Trader Joe's I happened to find myself in the very small spirits section. (Oh my, how did *that* happen?) I am always on the lookout for new tequilas to try, and I was surprised to see a Trader Joe's brand of tequila: "Distinqt."
No, that is not a typo; it is just a horrible name, especially for tequila. (It's a much more appropriate name for a vodka.) At $19.99 for a 750ml bottle, the price was right, especially for a 100% agave reposado.
Distinqt is surprisingly tasty, but it will not blow anyone away. It is a good tequila for the price, and is a better choice for a full-flavored margarita than it is for sipping.
Trader Joe's Distinqt Tequila Reposado Tasting Notes
The strangest thing about this tequila is the color. In the bottle, it looks like the color of pale straw but with a tint that is slightly green (see photo above). It may just be the bottle, as the color was difficult to detect in the glass. The nose is fairly sweet, with strong notes of vanilla and sweet agave. It must be a young reposado (my guess is 2 to 3 months, but I have not been able to verify this) because it is a bit astringent and harsh on the nose. Giving it a few minutes to breathe is not a bad idea if you are going to sip it.
Distinqt has a medium body and a slightly oily texture. It is a bit harsh on the first sip but I detected a agave, oak and almond flavors. It flares up quickly after being sipped and the fire is quickly extinguished in a slightly sweet, short finish. If you are looking for a cheap tequila to sip, Distinqt is an acceptable option.
Tequila Examiner Grade: Trader Joe's Distinqt Tequila Reposado: B
Cocktail Mixing Notes
Trader Joe's Distinqt may not be the best sipper, but, for the price, it is an excellent tequila to use for cocktails. When mixed in a margarita, the harshness of the alcohol mellows nicely and will give your cocktail a nice, young but aged agave flavor. I found the Distinqt margarita (made with 2 oz tequila, 1/2 oz agave nectar, 1/2 oz water, and 1 oz lime juice - shaken on ice and strained into a martini glass) to be a surprisingly well-balanced and high-quality margarita.
About Trader Joe's Distinqt Tequila:
The Trader Joe's tequila is imported by Benco Imports, and based on the NOM (1107), it is produced by Tequila el Viejito Distillery in Atotonilco, a town in the highlands of Jalisco. They produce a number of tequilas for many distributors, including Benco and Trader Joe's.
Comments
I think Trader Joe's reposado is the best kept secret there is. I disagree regarding not a good 'sipper'. It's one of the best 'sippers' I've had & in my estimation is in the same league as Patron at FAR less of an investment. I'm a 'sipper' & I encourage anyone to do the same with this product & not pollute it with anything else (lime, salt, etc.). You'll find it to be a warm friend & with respect will no knock you on your butt.
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