901 Tequila is probably best known for its celebrity co-founder, Justin Timberlake. He’s certainly not the first entertainer to back a spirits brand, and that affiliation alone moves bottles off shelves. But we thought we’d take it for a spin to see how it stacks up against other 100% agave tequilas.
901 Tequila first launched in 2009 with a silver tequila, and the brand recently announced two new expressions — 901 Reposado and 901 Anejo. We’ve got a bottle of both, so we’ll start with the Reposado.
901 Reposado Tequila is aged in oak barrels for a minimum of eight months. It pours a light straw color in the glass. On the nose, it’s full of agave, vanilla and light caramel, with mild hints of oak. Take a sip, and it’s more of the same, plus a bit of spice and pepper. It’s clean, smooth and easy-going throughout, finishing long and dry.
901 Reposado is a solid example of oak-aged tequila. The oak is present, but not overbearing. And from start to finish, it’s balanced and drinkable. The profile is very similar to other comparably-priced reposados in the category, so there’s nothing here that really stands out (minus the questionable, graffiti-like bottle). But we’ve already poured ourselves another glass, and if you’re looking for something new, we’d recommend giving this one a whirl.
Stats:
– 40% ABV
– $45
CE Rating: ★★★
