Review: Tromba Tequila (Blanco)   87.5/100
A review by Chip Dykstra (Aka Arctic Wolf)
Refreshed July 2020

Tromba is a 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. (My sample bottle is 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. 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 (Blanco) 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

When I brought the glass to my nose, there was a light but firm punky agave scent within those breezes with had melded very nicely into the typically sharp peppery note of the highland tequila.

There is very light fruity agave sweetness rising into the air which reminds me of grilled pineapple. There are also  hints of spearmint, and a touch of licorice and melon. All of this accented by a fine white pepper spice which is neither so strong that it overwhelms the fruitiness of the agave, nor is it so mellow that it is lost to the breezes.

In the Mouth 52/60

When I sipped on the silver spirit, I noticed a light underlying flavour which reminded me of fresh baked bread. Soft punky flavours of boiled squash and grilled pineapple were followed by light flavours of fresh mint, grapefruit and citrus xest. As I swallowed, the peppery highland spice began to build heating the palate and throat, although it never builds to the point of discomfort.

The spirit is perhaps milder than many will expect and depending on your tequila preferences this will be either quite nice or perhaps just a touch disappointing. I was hoping for just a little more thrust of flavour and this means that for myself, Tromba Blanco seems destined for Margaritas, Palomas and other cocktails.

In the Throat 13.5/15

The milder flavour profile has the benefit of giving us a smooth finish. Although the throat and tonsils are heated with spice, there was no burn. Within the spicy heat I could taste lingering sensations of lime zest, spearmint and a touch of anise.

The Afterburn 8.5/10

As indicated earlier, Tromba has recently moved to a new distillery (Tequila el Viejito, S.A. de C.V.). When I compared my tasting notes to the review I published 5 years ago, I see some similarities but I also see some subtle changes in my perceptions. That flavour of grilled pineapple for instance seems to have popped up in my new tasting notes while it was absent earlier. I think it is safe to say that you should check the NOM on the bottle you are purchasing to see whether it matches the bottle I am reviewing.

Tromba (Nom 1499) is a very nice cocktail spirit. The Palomas and the Margaritas which I made for myself tasted wonderful, and below I have shared a serving suggestion which I enjoyed equally as well.

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Serving Suggestion

Cara Cara oranges are a navel variety orange grown in California’s San Joaquin Valley. They have a bright orange peel with just a touch of a pinkish hue, and their interior flesh is distinctively pinkish similar to a pink grapefruit. The flavour of this orange is unique representing a sort of hybrid mixture of tangerine and traditional navel orange flavour with an unusual (but delightful) sweetness which is ideally suited for cocktails.

Cara Cara Margarita

2 oz Tromba Blanco Tequila
1 1/2 oz fresh squeezed Cara Cara Orange Juice
3/4 oz fresh squeezed Lime Juice
1/2 oz Orange Curacao
1/4 oz Simple Syrup (1:1)
Ice
Cara Cara Orange Peel

Add the first five ingredients into a metal shaker with ice
Shake until the sides of the shaker frost
Strain into a chilled martini glass
Garnish with a small peel of Cara Cara Orange
Enjoy!

Note: 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)