Casa Dragones Blanco Tequila is the second release from a brand that made its mark with Casa Dragones Joven, an ultra-premium tequila that runs $275 per bottle. And while the joven is explicitly for sipping, the brand has given its blessing for the blanco expression–which still isn’t cheap at $75–to be mixed into cocktails.
The Casa Dragones Distillery sits in the highlands of Jalisco, land marked by mature agave plants, mineral-rich volcanic soil and natural spring water. It’s there that co-founder and Maestra Tequilera Bertha González Nieves produces the tequila in small batches. The result is an ode to agave–a tequila that honors the earth and the plant, two things often lost when the spirit is aged in wood. So with Casa Dragones Blanco, you’ve got a refreshingly straightforward tequila that eschews the trend of sweet vanilla and instead opts for bright citrus and biting pepper.
TASTING NOTES
The crystal clear tequila is full of fresh fruit on the nose–most prominentaly grapefruit and green apple. Take a sip, and the agave shines through immediately, followed by hints of black pepper, cloves and mint, plus a juicy tropical fruit note. It finishes light and bright, with more grapefruit and pepper leading to a dry close accented by cooling herbs.
Pour Casa Dragones Blanco over a large ice cube, however, and things begin to change. The grapefruit notes become more prominent on the nose, and even more of those pepper and clove flavors appear. There’s an interesting almond flavor that emerges, too, alongside warming cinnamon.
So either way you want to drink it–neat, on the rocks or mixed into a cocktail–you really can’t go wrong. But for our money, we’ll keep this one sitting squarely in a glass by itself.
Stats:
– 40% ABV
– $75
CE Rating: ★★★★
Like that? Drink this:
– Excellia Blanco Tequila Review
– Tequila ArteNOM Selección de 1580 Blanco Review
– Avion Silver Tequila Review
