Agavero (Licor de Tequila)

Review: Agaver0 (Licor de Tequila)  75/100
a review by Chip Dykstra (Aka Arctic Wolf)
Posted on August 12, 2010

Agavero is a blend of 100% blue agave Tequila (Reposado and Anejo), and the essence of the Damiana Flower.  This is not a true Tequila spirit but rather a Tequila based liqueur. Lazaro Gallardo, the founder of Los Camichines Distillery, in Jalisco, Mexico, is credited with creating Agavero in 1857. It is produced as a sipping liqueur meant for those who want a lighter, sweeter and more refined Tequila experience. Bottled at 32 per cent alcohol by volume, Agavero boasts being named, in 2002, as one of the top 50 spirits in the World. I thought I would investigate its charm.

In the Bottle 4.5/5

As you can see, Agavero  comes packaged in a very attractive dark green/turquoise bottle which looks as though it must have a genie in it.  Although I rubbed the bottle quite vigorously I can testify that no such genie was forthcoming.  But, (all joking aside), I think this is a very nice bottle presentation.  Had the bottle been completed with a nice solid straight sided cork instead of a metal screw-cap, I would have scored it perfectly. (An actual genie inside would have scored bonus points.)

In the Glass 8.5/10

The Agavero is a bronze/brown  coloured liqueur which is consistent with the heritage of a blend of the Reposado and Anejo Tequila in the blend. Tilting the glass leaves a thick film of liquid film on the sides which drops thick legs down the inside. The aroma is very sweet and sugary mixed with a muted punky agave scent. There are the vaguest hints of orange citrus, passion-fruit, peppery spices, and lime. The different scents are somewhat melted together and this is not aggressive at all. The normal spicy aroma I usually encounter in Tequila has been tamed.

In my Mouth 45/60

The agave flavour, the orange and lime citrus notes, and the hot pepper burst are all pummeled into submission by a sweet sugary syrup. The result is a mild, somewhat pleasing combination of punky agave and sweet syrup. However, I found that this first impression of the liqueur was the best impression I received. Over time the spirit, although pleasing at first, quickly became cloying. In fact,  after a few sessions with the Agavero, I came to describe it as more of a Tequila Syrup than as a refined dessert liqueur for sipping.

In the Throat  10/15

Tequila, in my understanding, is supposed to burn. This liqueur does not burn the throat in the least. But what it does do, is leave the palate and the throat coated in a morass of thick sugary syrup. The flavours under the syrup are pleasing, but the sweetness is just too much, even as a dessert.

The Aftermath 7/10

What can I say except that I am unimpressed. The brochure leaflet on the stem of the bottle mentions Agavero receiving the honor of being named one of the top 50 spirits of 2002, and also mentions a  90 – 95 rating from Wine Enthusiast.  My own opinion unfortunately is much to the south of those accolades.

Suggested Cocktail:

I found enjoyment mixing sweet summertime Margarita style cocktails using Agavero and Silver Tequila together with the Lime. The resulting cocktail is quite sweet and perfect for serving with crushed ice on a hot summer day.

The Agavero Margarita

20 ml (3/4 oz) Silver Tequila
15 ml (1/2 oz) Agavero
20 ml (3/4 oz) Triple Sec
15 ml (1/2 oz) Lime Juice

Place all ingredients in a Blender with 3 large ice cubes
Blend until Smoothish
Serve with a wedge of Lime
(If the cocktail is too sweet for your taste, just squeeze in more lime from the wedge.)