Agave de Cortes Reposado

Item: Agave de Cortes Reposado
Rating: 3.0
Author: The Editors

A reposado that's slightly better than most mezcal reposados – which is a low bar

Score: 3.0/5 agaves

Producer: Agave de Cortes
Maestro: Francisco Cortes Hernandez, Leoncio Santiago
Region: Santiago Matatlán, Oaxaca
Agave: Espadin
ABV: 43%
Price: $48 ($)

Verdict

Better than commercial reposado, not better than the Agave de Cortes extra añejo. The range tells a useful story: the short aging doesn't add enough to the base to matter, and the long aging (extra añejo) is where the oak can finally contribute. At 43% the reposado is competent but the producer's best work sits at the extremes of the aging spectrum, not the middle. Consensus 3.5 is generous. Skip in favor of the extra añejo.

Reposado mezcal at its defensible middle

Tasting notes

Nose: Vanilla, then soft oak, cooked agave, faint smoke

Palate: Clean, the aging doesn't overwhelm but doesn't elevate

Finish: Medium, oaky, warm

The bottom line

Skip in favor of the extra añejo