Jose Cuervo Tradicional Reposado

Like many people who grew up in Canada or the US with "cheap tequila shots", I was scared of the Jose Cuervo label after spending time in Mexico and being introduced to finer tequilas. I only tried the Tradicional because, after spending some time with a bartender in Playa Del Carmen, he let me in on a secret; the tequila that he and his friends drink after work is Cuervo Traditional. But there is a catch. He puts a bottle in the freezer at the beginning of his shift and only takes it out at the end of the night to enjoy with his friends after work. The reason is that this tequila transforms when chilled to freezing. As a room-temperature sipper, this tequila is just what other reviewers have stated: a little harsh and more like a gold than a finer reposado. However, when pulled from a freezer after a few hours, it is a completely different story. Served ice cold (not on ice, which dilutes the flavour that is not overly abundant to begin with) it becomes very smooth and devoid of any harsh bite while a nice mellow flavour shows through. I realize that this can be true of many types of alcohol, including other tequilas, but it is more pronounced in the Tradicional. My numeric ratings are based on this specific serving method.

I had high hopes for this. But once again for the price there are better ones to choose from. Wasnt very smooth like i thought it would be. I bought this Sept.3 2010.
I guess on a side note as far as Jose goes its one of the better ones. But wouldnt buy again.

I wanted to like this. The bottle/label/presentation/price told me it would be a fair, maybe somewhat better than fair tequila, but it's just harsh and pungent. A distant whiff when you open the bottle is good, but any closer and my nose burns, it doesn't feel good drank neat, and it adds a paint thinner "quality" to mixed drinks. The finish burns, and not in a pleasant tequila warmth sort of way.

I know this sounds harsh, it's not a BAD bad tequila. It's good, for bad tequila. But bad anyway. Just because I've had worse doesn't make it good ;)

Sorry Cuervo, I won't be buying this one again... in fact I'm not entirely sure I'll drink the rest of the bottle I have now.

Tasted in a rocks glass on September 15, 2008 quick legs down the glass.

Jose Cuervo Tradicional Reposado

Color: light brown hue
Aroma: agave, rubbing alchol
Taste: a cheap blanco stirred with a stick out of a campfire with a light mouthfeel and strong burn in the finish

For the price you can find many better Reposados. My favorite reposado at the time of this writing have to be Chinaco, Sol Azul, Casa Noble & Corralejo.

Tasted out of a snifter. This reposadao is very basic and something I'd consider for a beginner reposado drinker. Not too harsh, not to subtle. Not breaking any new ground. Just there, a very simple tequila for me. But for $24 bux as a new tequila drinker, you can't go wrong. Yet sooner or later, you'll want to move up to the next level.

Aroma: Slight caramel notes.
Initial Taste: Slight bitterness. An oily mouth feel.
Body: A mildly balanced agave with hints of earth and caramel.
Finish: A short finish with slight alcohol burn.