Review: 1921 Reposado Tequila   87.5/100
a review by Chip Dykstra (Aka Arctic Wolf)
Published June 16, 2020

Named to commemorate the final year of the Mexican Revolution 1921 Tequila is made from 100% Agave cultivated in the Highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. The distinction between tequila made from highland agave versus tequila made from lowland agave is important because agave grown in the highlands tends to carry a different flavour profile into the final tequila than lowland tequila. Highland tequila tends to have more sweet fruity citrus flavours and perhaps a touch more hot pepper in the finish.

Although I could not find direct information on the 1921 Tequila website regarding the exact distillery which produces this agave spirit, I did notice that the identified NOM on the bottom of the label is 1535. This NOM identifier is required by the Mexican Government to be placed on the label of each bottle of tequila to verify that it is produced legally from agave sourced in the Tequila region of Mexico. Each distillery has its own NOM, and thus we can trace the distillery of origin. In this case it is Destileria Morales, S.A. de C.V. which is located about 100 km east of Guadalajara in Arandas ( a municipality of the Altos Sur region of the state of Jalisco).

I should note the 1921 Tequila Brand has moved production to Casa Tequilera de Arandas, S.A. de C.V. (NOM 1499) which is located about 7 km east of Arandas ( a municipality of the Altos Sur region of the state of Jalisco). This means that the more recent production of 1921 Tequila may be somewhat different from this earlier version, although the general character should remain consistent.

1921 Reposado Tequila is distilled twice and aged 4 to 6 months in American white oak barrels. It is bottled at 40 % alcohol by volume.

In the Bottle 4.5/5

Pictured to the left is the bottle presentation for the 1921 Reposado Tequila. The squat square bottle has a nice visual appeal. It is quite different from other bottles on my liquor shelf, and this difference serves to help it stand out a bit from the crowd. The bottle is sealed with a nice synthetic cork which is always a bonus for me, as I find the synthetic corks have far more durability than the regular variety, yet they still give that satisfying ‘pop’ when the spirit is opened. To ensure nothing inside escapes before you open it, a waxy plastic covering seals the cork which must be removed with a tear strip.

In the Glass 8.5/10

When poured into the glass the reposado tequila has a pale straw colour and immediately I notice notes of fruity agave. These notes resemble baked squash and grilled pineapple alongside some sharp white pepper. There is a light sweep of vanilla and hints of sandalwood and fine spice. After a few moments I also notice lime zest and hints of honey.

In the Mouth 53/60

The entry brings a combination of punky baked agave flavours (again that baked squash and grilled pineapple impression)  permeated with black pepper notes and citrus zest. There is evidence of oak flavours with a light touch of almond, some gentle vanillans and also a light honey-like sweetness. This is all very nice and I find sipping quite enjoyable.

Of course I mixed a few cocktails, beginning with a Margarita, following this with a Paloma. Both servings tasted very nice. It;s really nice when a tequila spirit work well not only in short and tall cocktails but can be sipped neat as well.

In The Throat 13/15

The finish is full of punky agave accompanied by a light squeal of pepper. I am also noticing a sort of winding grassiness in the exit that I had missed earlier. At the very end I also taste a light bitterness of which reminds me of walnuts.

The Afterburn 8.5/10

1921 Reposado Tequila is noticeably smoother than its unaged sibling 1921 Silver Tequila. It also shows hints of oak which elevates the spirit from being merely a cocktail mixer, to one which also can be sipped enjoyably. Although some may find the flavour mild compared with many other agave spirits, I choose to use the term refined instead. The squeal of highland pepper is contained and the fruity agave drives the flavour.

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Suggested Serving:

Today I am demonstrating that the heretical idea of mixing two Tequila spirits of different ages and characters within one cocktail can yield wonderful results as well. My recipe combines the smooth 1921 Anejo Tequila with the slightly rougher 1921 Reposado. Although some of my critics may insist that mixing a wonderful sipping tequila with its younger sibling in a sour style cocktail is a heresy; I counter with the observation that the results are delicious!

El Hereje
(the Mexican Heretic)

1 oz  1921 Anejo Tequila
1 oz 1921 Reposado Tequila
1 oz fresh Orange Juice
1/2 oz fresh Lemon Juice
1/4 oz Sugar Syrup (1:1 ratio)
2 dashes Orange Bitters
Ice
Lemon Peel

Add the first six ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice
Shake until the outside of the shaker begins to frost
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass
Garnish with lemon peel

Please Enjoy Responsibly!

If  you are interested in more of my original cocktail recipes, please click this link (Cocktails and Recipes) for more of my mixed drink recipes!

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You may (loosely) interpret the scores as follows.

0-25     A spirit with a rating this low would actually kill you.
26-49   Depending upon your fortitude you might actually survive this.
50 -59  You are safe to drink this…but you shouldn’t.
60-69   Substandard swill which you may offer to people you do not want to see again.
70-74    Now we have a fair mixing Tequila.  Accept this but make sure it is mixed into a cocktail.
75-79    You may begin to serve this to friends, (we are probably still cocktail in territory).
80-84    We begin to enjoy this spirit neat or on the rocks. (I will still primarily mix cocktails)
85-89    Excellent for sipping or for mixing delicious cocktails!
90-94    Definitely a primary sipping spirit, in fact you may want to hoard this for yourself.
95-97.5 The Cream of the Crop
98+       I haven’t met this bottle yet…but I want to.

Very loosely we may put my scores into terms that you may be familiar with on a Gold, Silver, and  Bronze medal  scale as follows:

70 – 79.5    Bronze Medal (Recommended only as a mixer)
80 – 89.5     Silver Medal (Recommended for sipping and or a high quality mixer)
90 – 95         Gold Medal (Highly recommended for sipping and for sublime cocktails.)
95.5+            Platinum Award (Highest Recommendation)