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Tres Agaves The Tres Agave range of tequilas is made in the Lowlands at El Llano Distillery (NOM 1109), one of the old- est distilleries in Jalisco. Tres Agaves Reposado is aged between six to nine months in Jack Daniels, Woodford Reserve and Heaven Hill whiskey bar- rels. The amber-colored tequila has a silky body and a generous citrus, light fl oral and herba- ceous nose. The palate is a sublime blend of herbs, lemons, spice, mint and black pepper with a hint of menthol on the fi nish. Trinchero Family Estates Going For The Gold El Cartel Silver 100% Agave Tequila Okay, it's not a reposado, but we couldn't resist including this new stunner while we're on the subject of tequila. —Ed. Uno Mas Like Magave Tequila, ultra- premium Uno Mas is made in the Highlands of Jalisco at Destiladora del Valle de Tequila (NOM 1438). The Uno Mas Reposado is matured for six months in white oak barrels previously used to age bourbon. Its aromatics alone are worth the price of admission. The reposado bathes the palate with spicy, peppery and herbal fl avors that persists well into the lingering fi nish. Magave Tequila Inc. Prepare to be wowed. While many brands have genuinely striking bottles, El Cartel Silver 100% Agave Tequila itself is absolutely riveting—legitimately a work of art. Its unique feature is the edible gold fl akes fl oating in the tequila. Sure, you've seen other spirits and liqueurs that contained gold fl akes, but in each case the fl akes quickly settle on the bottom of the bottle. Not so with El Cartel. Its fl akes literally defy gravity and stay suspended motionless in the tequila. The makers say the effect is achieved through a secret proprietary process. The result is hypnotic. The Highland tequila is crafted at Productos Finos de Agave (NOM 1416) in Jesús María, Jalisco. After harvesting, the agaves are baked in brick ovens and slowly fermented using natural, airborne yeast. The fermented wash—called aguamiel—is then triple-distilled in pot stills and then rested in stainless steel vats to allow its constituent fl avors to become better integrated. The silver tequila is then slow-fi ltered before being bottled at 40% alcohol by volume (80 proof). Fortunately El Cartel Silver has more than good looks going for it. The tequila has a lightweight, oily textured body and an entic- ing fl oral bouquet with spicy cinnamon notes. It has a smooth entry that quickly fi lls the mouth with warm spicy fl avors that slowly fade into a silky fi nish. As for the gold fl akes, you can't perceive them on your tongue. Other expressions . . . The brand also markets El Cartel Blanco 100% Agave Tequila, which is characteristically similar to the Silver version, yet differ- ent. Aside from not containing gold fl akes, it is double-distilled, which produces a slightly fuller bodied spirit. The crystal clear tequila is an aromatic and delightfully spicy tequila. El Cartel Holdings september 2012 / the tasting panel / 95