El Jimador Tequila Bottle Review & Tasting Notes (2023)
Last Updated on August 22, 2023 by Lydia Martin
We’ve been trying to find the best tequila to impress our taste buds for an affordable price.
Good thing we came across one of the most famous Mexican spirits called El Jimador.
This brand is serious about making quality tequila, and it quickly became one of the top-selling brands in Mexico.
In this El Jimador tequila review, we’ll take a closer look at how it surpasses other brands.
Overview on El Jimador Reposado Tequila
El Jimador tequila flagship name honors the master harvesters of the blue agave plant for tequila and mezcal production. [1]
Aged and bottled at 80-proof, El Jimador Reposado offers an enticing aroma packed with agave flavor that shines through the drink.
This spirit made a lot of recognition because of its value—a pretty good tequila, not as much as neat, but compliments any concoctions or shots.
Quick Facts
| NOM | 1119 |
| Brand & Region | Reposado Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico |
| Alcohol Proof | 80-proof (40% ABV) |
| Agave Type | Tequilana Weber (Blue Agave) |
| Age Statement | 2 months |
| Color | Light golden hue |
| Rating | 3 stars |
| Average Price | Around $22 for 750ml (Drizly) |
What’s El Jimador Reposado Tequila?
Launched in 2000, El Jimador Reposado is one of the four tequila offerings from Casa Herradura.
However, Brown-Forman now owns it after it acquired the Mexican tequila company in 2006. [2]
El Jimador Reposado is naturally fermented and double distilled. It is aged for two months in American oak barrels before bottling.
What El Jimador Reposado Tequila Tastes Like
Nose
It has an appealing aroma, and it starts with roasted agave scents on the nose, followed by vanilla, oak wood, and pepper spice with a hint of alcohol.
As for the alcohol scent, it is still manageable on the nose. Also, we noticed that the aromas got more intense after swirling.
We got more vanilla, sweet fruits, citrus, sweet cooked agave, toasted wood, and black pepper aromas.
Palate
The alcohol taste welcomed our palate as we savor the tequila, but it is mellowed by sweet oak, light citrus, caramel, vanilla, and light cinnamon flavors mingling around.
There’s a pleasant taste of toasted hazelnuts and agave flavors. After a while, the flavors develop a light earthy quality with black pepper hints with light vegetal and medicinal notes.
Finish
It has a warm, relatively smooth long finish with alcohol astringency. It has lingering oak, vanilla, peppery spice, and a bit of cinnamon flavor at the tail end.
Our Thoughts
First Sip
From our first sip, we’re surprised by its pleasing agave aromas on the nose leading to more complexity on the mouth and a bittersweet aftertaste.
El Jimador tequila has some medicinal and alcoholic hints upfront but is mellowed by sweet vanilla. Adding ice might help smoothen a few rough notes for our second drink.
Second Chance
After adding ice, the harsh notes tuned down the pepper heat and some bitterness from the vegetal and medicinal hints, making it a better sipper.
“El Jimador has tremendous upside for the business, given its strong heritage and popularity in the Hispanic community…”
– Jerry Preyss, CEO of Scoppechio
However, other fruit and agave flavors are also tuned down, and significant hints of black pepper are left.
Why We Like It
- El Jimador is great for making Margaritas, Palomas, and other classic tequila cocktails.
- El Jimador Reposado has a rich combination of flavors and a solid alcohol punch, making it a tasty and enjoyable tequila.
- It is a budget-friendly tequila. At around $20, El Jimador Reposado makes one of the top tequila bargains in the market.
Drawbacks
- The medicinal and other harsh notes are present on the palate. Although it is bearable, sometimes, the mouthfeel has a prominent bitter and light vegetal hint.
- El Jimador Reposado is not a good tequila sipper. This solid spirit complex flavor is better with ice or mixed in a cocktail.
El Jimador Reposado Tequila Rating
We’re surprised by how pleasing its aromas are and how complex the flavors of El Jimador Reposado are—so we’re giving it a 3-star rating.
Like El Jimador Silver tequila, it has a lot of exciting flavors with alcohol and peppery heat that can stand on cocktails. But El Jimador Reposado is bolder and has more of an oaky tequila.
It is a good tequila for its price. The aromas and flavors of this spirit have quite the same level of complexity, making it a delicious and affordable tequila.
Would We Buy It Again?
Yes, we’ll buy another bottle of El Jimador Reposado, although it is not the best sipper.
We recommend mixing El Jimador Reposado in various fun concoctions, making the perfect delicious punch at parties.
But for bottle alternatives, here are some of our recommended bottles:
- El Jimador Blanco Tequila (40% ABV)
- Jose Cuervo Tradicional Reposado (40% ABV)
- Hornitos Reposado (40% ABV)
- 1800 Reposado (40% ABV)
FAQs
Is El Jimador Reposado a good tequila?
Yes, El Jimador Reposado is a good tequila. We enjoy its inviting aromas and warm seasoned flavors, and it adds layers of flavors to a cocktail.
How do you drink El Jimador Reposado tequila?
You can drink El Jimador Reposado tequila by neat sipping it in a shot glass, in a Margarita, or in a mixed drink with lime juice and grapefruit soda.
Which is better, Jose Cuervo or El Jimador Reposado tequila?
When it comes to sippable tequila, Jose Cuervo is better than El Jimador. Jose Cuervo is smoother and has fewer harsh notes, though not by too much.
Final Thoughts
A bottle of El Jimador made a good impression on our tequila-drinking experience. No doubt, it became one of the best-selling tequila in Mexico.
It is made of 100% blue agave plants, designed to offer a premium drinking experience, especially in a mixed drink like a Margarita.
Although El Jimador is not quite a good tequila sipper, you can enjoy it best in shots or mixing in cocktails.
It is a perfect choice if you’re looking for relatively inexpensive yet quality tequila.
References:
- https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=el%20jimador
- https://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/29/business/worldbusiness/29tequila.html
