Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/80298
Reposado Rhythm CATEGORY REPORT SULTRY SIPPER OR CLASSY COCKTAIL STAR, TEQUILA'S "MIDDLE EXPRESSION" OFFERS THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS by Robert Plotkin R eposado is the bestselling expres- sion of tequila in its homeland of Mexico. Not surprisingly, 100% agave reposados are equally popular in the United States. According to the 2012 Technomic's Adult Beverage Report, the ten leading brands of reposado grew an impressive 5.7% in 2011, accounting for 1.5 million 9-liter cases in a category that totaled 12.8 million cases. In a category full of creative options, what is it about these "rested" tequilas that has continued to captivate the American mainstream? Sazerac's Tequila Master, David Grapshi, thinks reposados embody the best characteristics of both blancos and añejos. "Skillfully crafted reposados are things of beauty," says the veteran tequila-maker. "They have the fresh, youthful exuberance of a blanco and the mature fl avor profi le of an añejo. Sipping a classy reposado neat, you should still be able to taste the herbaceous, peppery fl avor of the agave and the slightly smoky character of the oak barrel. Reposados offer consumers the best of both worlds." 90 / the tasting panel / september 2012