Review: Espolon Cristalino Tequila
Espolon Cristalino Tequila was released September 2022. It was one of the the last projects Maestro Tequilero Cirico Oropeza worked on before he passed away. Espolon is made from 100% agave slow roasted 18-20 hours. Once the juice is extracted and fermented it is distilled for 5 1/2 hours while rock music plays to inspire the agave. Espolon Cristalino is made from a blend of anejo aged 11 months in American oak then at least 1 month in ex Wild Turkey bourbon and a touch of extra anejo. Once blended the tequila is lightly charcoal filtered to remove the color and some of the oak flavor. The aroma leads with roasted agave. Additional time brings out orange, and butterscotch. The sweet agave is joined by caramel building to a milk chocolate, orange and toffee peak. It fades with agave, toasted coconut, and butterscotch, and finishes semidry with oak, butterscotch, orange peel, and pepper. Espolon has more agave flavor than any Cristalino tequila I’ve tried so far and in my opinion that’s a good thing.
NOM: 1440
Region: Highlands
40% Alcohol
Score: 92
Award: Gold Medal