First Taste: Gran Centenario Rosangel Tequila

Where are the great flavored tequilas? Ever since I first tried a few infused tequila recipes from Lucinda Hutson's great tequila cookbook, "¡Tequila!" (now out of print) in the mid-1990s and realized how well quality tequila took on fruit aromas and flavors, I've been waiting for producers to do something really interesting. But this surpasses all my expectations. Gran Centenario Rosangel is a fascinating reposado that spends an additional two months in Port pipes and then is infused with hibiscus flowers. The result is a rosé-hued tequila with a nose of rich porty-sweetness, white flowers, agave and vanilla. At first on the palate it’s crisp and citrusy and then there's a brisk return of port notes, followed by bright floral qualities that zip across the palate. Rosangel finishes clean and crisp, a lip-smacker by any definition; it's an all-around lovely spirit that benefits from its completely unexpected direction, and opens the tequila cocktail spectrum considerably. There's considerable prejudice among spirit know-it-alls against flavored booze, but Rosangel may change your mind - Bravo for a great idea that works better than anyone could have imagined. (Imported by Proximo Spirits.)
My score: 7