Review: Tromba Tequila (Reposado)   86.5/100
A review by Chip Dykstra (Aka Arctic Wolf)
Published July 23, 2020

Tromba is a new boutique tequila created by Marco Cedano. According to the website information, Marco first forged his reputation in Mexico as the original Master Distiller for Don Julio. After working with one of the largest (and most wel-known) tequila brands in the world, he decided to go ahead on his own, as both Master Distiller and Founder his new independent brand, Tequila Tromba.

Tequila Tromba was formerly produced at Casa Tequilera De Arandas distillery (NOM 1499 CRT) in Arandas. Recently however, there has been a change and the spirit is now produced at Tequila el Viejito, S.A. de C.V., (Nom 1107) which is located just west of Arandas in the South Highlands of Los Altos in Jalisco Mexico. (This review was completed using a sample bottle labeled with the NOM 1499).

The blue agave used in the production of Tromba is harvested after 7 years, allowing the plant to mature and build complex flavors. The agave is cooked in brick ovens after which the juice is extracted with a roller mill before being distilled in copper pot stills. As a reposado spirit the tequila must be rested in oak for at least two months but less than one year. The final spirit is bottled at 40 % alcohol by volume.

In the Bottle 5/5

According to the materials sent to me, Tromba Tequila was inspired by the lush landscape of Los Altos, and independent spirit of its people. This inspiration is demonstrated on the backs of Tequila Tromba bottles through the work of Mexican artist, Marina Pallares. Marina. Her original work, entitled “Tromba”, is featured on the backs of Tequila Tromba bottles.

Tequila Tromba (Reposado) arrives in the elegant medium tall decanter shown to the left. It has a square base design which tapers from the shoulders to the bottom of the bottle. (A bottle tapered in this manner is much easier to hold than a straight sided bottle.) The clouds featured on the front label of the bottle symbolize the local ‘big rain’ which arrives in the Los Altos highland tequila region every spring. The ‘big rain’ provides the moisture (and the rich red clay provides the nourishment) which produces the fine highland agave. This ‘big rain’ is called Tromba and gives the spirit its name.

In the Glass 8.5/10

I poured out a small sample of Tromba Reposado into my glass and began with a good look at the spirit before I began to nose it. The tequila has a light straw colour reflecting time it has rested in Oak. I gave my glass a light tilt and a slow swirl, and I discovered a light sheen was left on the inside of the glass, the crest of which gave up a multitude of small leggy droplets which ran back down into the spirit at a moderate pace.

When I brought the glass to my nose, I a mild punky/fruity agave the scent rose into the air which seemed to bring hints of grilled pineapple and baked squash into my consciousness. Running alongside the agave fruit was a slightly sharp peppery note which is typical of highland tequila. I often call this peppery note which is prominent in Highland tequila, “highland squeal” as it comes across to me a squeal of spiciness. Zesty citrus accompanies the white pepper adding to the spiciness. A light caramel sweetness resides within the agave and grilled pineapple note. Their are hints of vanilla and almond, as well as just a smidgen of oolong tea and chocolate. This is quite nice, although some will find the squeal of hot pepper disconcerting.

In the Mouth  51/60

The tequila translates well from the nose to the palate. It is perhaps a little softer on first taste, but the squeal of pepper I noticed in the air comes through and builds with each sip. The flavour is typically highland, with bright citrus and hot pepper alongside the punky agave flavour. The spirit sits squarely on the fence which separated the realms of sippers and cocktail mixers, which is no bad thing. I found I enjoyed the spirit over ice, but my suspicion is that many will prefer a Margarita instead.

To confirm the premise of this suspicion, I mixed a basic Margarita (recipe here), and as I thought the serving was splendid. Later I mixed a variation (shown below) which adds grapefruit juice to the construction as well as both lemon and lime juice. I am not sure why, but I have found that reposado tequilas seem to like a little grapefruit juice. The serving was so nice that I have made it my recommended serve for the Tromba Reposado.

In The Throat 13/15

As indicated the spirit when sipped is perhaps a little smoother than the nose would indicate. I think this is why I found the spirit could reasonably be considered a sipping tequila as well as an outstanding mixer. This smoothness shows in the finish which features light agave flavours coupled with just a touch of hot highland squeal. Hints of caramel linger.

The Afterburn  9/10

When I added my categories, I was surprised that the spirit had not scored better overall. To account for this I bumped my Afterburn up half a notch to account for the fact that I really enjoyed sampling the Tromba Reposado. The spirit carries classic highland agave flavours complete with a nice light squeal of white pepper. It can be sipped, and it also makes great classic cocktails.

You may read some of my other Tequila Reviews (click the link) if you wish to have some comparative reviews.

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Suggested Serving

Grapefruit juice and Tequila are an ideal combination for cocktails. For this cocktail I wanted the sour tartness of lemon and lime but I also wanted a nice punch of grapefruit flavour to dominate. Constructed in the style of the Margarita, I decided to call this particular construction, the Valerie Project.

The Valerie Project

1 1/2 oz Reposado Tequila
2/3 oz Fresh Grapefruit Juice
1/4 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
1/4 oz Fresh Lime Juice
1/4 oz Orange Curacao
dash  sugar syrup
Ice
citrus Coil

Add the first six ingredients to a Metal cocktail shaker with ice
Shake until the sides of the shaker frost
Strain into a Martini Glass
Garnish with a citrus coil

Enjoy Responsibly!

Note: If  you are interested in more 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)