Fina Estampa Tequila Blanco

This review is long overdue. I was lucky enough to find Fina Estampa locally when I first started drinking tequila. I immediately fell in love with this blanco, and kept wondering if I would ever find one I like better. So far, the answer is no.

The nose is full of sweet cooked agave, but what comes through stronger is ripe banana, and maybe a little coconut. There is a bit of alcohol as well, almost giving the impression of fermented banana. Factor in the presence of nutmeg, and as I have often said about this blanco, you basically have banana nut bread. It is very unique, and although there are other blancos with a sweet smell, this one stands alone.

The taste is very reminiscent of the nose, but now the agave comes forward. There is still an impression of fermented banana and baking spice, but it moves to the background at this point. A slight alcohol tingle moves around the tip and edge of the tongue. I also get a tinge of licorice on the back of the tongue. The body is heavy, oily, chewy, with a wonderful coating that creates a slight numbing throughout the mouth.

In the finish, the numbing continues down the back of the throat. The flavors continue, with a little raw agave and green pepper coming into play now, adding to the complexity.

Overall, this is simply an amazingly enjoyable tequila. I could easily drink this all night...and probably drank 4 oz while doing this review. But this juice has become scarce, and I'm not certain whether it is still being imported anymore, so rationing is recommended. Finally, the bottle is shaped like a giant flask...nuf said.

This is a really interesting and delicious blanco. Off the top of my head, I can't think of one that I like better.

Aroma: Agave, citrus and a combination of what smells like a sugar cookie (butter, vanilla, etc)
Initial Taste: Awesome agave flavor with hints of citrus and vanilla.
Body: Medium body that is oily and coats the tongue and glass nicely. Mild pepper notes and fruit give it a unique and delicious taste on all parts of the tongue.
Finish: A nice heated finish that last a decent amount of time. You can taste nearly all of the flavors in the finish. It's a bit different every time because you notice something different.

This is a wonderfully complex anejo that is as delicious as it is smooth. A sipper for sure and if you can get it for the bargain price that Wine & Liquor Depot has it for a $30...go get it. It's worth it at $50.

Purchased from Wine and Liquor Depot in Van Nuys for $28 bux. Tasted out of a snifter. At $28 dollars, this is an excellent bargain. Top shelf all the way and for a great price. You just cant beat it. Not too complex, but a very decent blanco nonetheless. Aroma: A nice nose of fruit, floral, and grass. Initial Taste: A semi oily mouth feel. On tip of tongue its sweet with no bitterness. First taste was fruity. Body: A very agave body, with hints of fruit. Finish: A semi heated finish of medium duration, with a fruity aftertaste.

Tequila Fina Estampa Blanco NOM 1436 Purchased online from Shoppers Vineyard as it is not available in my state. Tasted in Riedel glass on 2/9/08. Clear and bright in the glass. Aroma-Nose was a very pleasing blend of sweet bread and nutmeg with hints of butter, eggnog, pastry baking, and mild alcohol. First taste has a velvety agave bite with a mild mouth numbing effect. Fina is fairly strong and pleasantly pungent with a superior body. A smooth finish and mild alcohol burn makes this tequila go down way too easy. This is a very good balanced Blanco. Drink it straight, sipping and enjoying it slowly or it makes a wonderful mixer. The price makes this an outstanding value. You just can’t go wrong with this Blanco. An original bottle shape and one of the few tequilas that use outer packaging make for a special presentation.

Fina Estampa Tequila Blanco, NOM 1436. Crystal clear in color. Due to very complex noses, I almost enjoy smelling this tequila as much as drinking it, almost. 1. (Immediately after removing the cork), raw sour dough, new saddle leather, overly ripe apples & bananas, yeast. 2. (After airing), early morning dew on newly mown hay, summer. The initial taste is agave sweet & slightly smoky laced with spice. It is medium light to medium in body with a warm, glowing after sensation. The finish envelopes the tongue from middle to back & rolls off in diminishing fashion. This is an amazingly smooth blanco, start to finish, & deserves to stand next to the other finest tequilas on the top shelf. A/A+