Recently Pops attended a business dinner where the hosts brought in several tequila brands for a tasting. One of the brands, Codigo 1530, followed up with Bourbon & Banter and asked if we would be interested in sampling their entire line for a review post. Never one to turn down a chance to #drinkcurious, I volunteered to take on the task despite being unfamiliar with the brand.
If you’re unfamiliar with the brand as well here’s what you need to know. Codigo 1530 is an all-natural product with no chemicals, sugar, or flavoring added. They only use organic local yeast and all of the water they use in the production of their product is from freshwater pools and rainwater that has been filtered through the volcanic soil of the Los Bajos region. But instead of me reciting all the facts, take a minute to watch their brand video to get the full story.
Codigo sent samples of each expression of tequila that they produce. Below are my personal tasting notes and thoughts on each as well as the retail pricing that I found by searching the retailers listed on their website as well as an internet search.
Blanco
Unrested/Unaged | MSRP $46.99
Nose: Nice nose (smells great) Very floral. Lots of bright citrus notes (lemon and lime specifically). A few hints of vanilla and coconut.
Taste: Wow. Very impressive for a blanco. Very nice flavor. Delicate on the palate bit it was a bit underwhelming when compared to the nose.
Thoughts: This is one of the better expressions of a blanco tequila that I’ve ever had. I know I said the taste was a bit underwhelming compared to the nose but that isn’t a bad thing, it’s just that the nose was so amazing. Usually you think of a blanco for mixing cocktails. I think using this as a mixer would be a tragedy. Use some big brand mass produced silver to put in your drink and enjoy this one neat with a bit of fresh squeezed lime or a glass of fresh made Sangrita and you may have a new favorite sipper to enjoy while dining on your south of the border cuisine.
Rosa
Rested 1 Month in uncharred Napa Cabernet French White Oak barrels | MSRP $59.99
Nose: The nose is like the Blanco but much more intense. Amazing nose. I can’t stop sniffing this one.
Taste: Very smooth but the flavors are much more muted than the Blanco. The earthy and agave flavors seemed to be masked by the Cabernet notes.
Thoughts: This would be an amazing entry level tequila, especially for people who have a negative perception of the spirit. I’d even say this would be a good one to start with for beginners if tasting neat. The easy drinking nature of this one may really appeal to women when combined with the flavors of the Cabernet barrel.
Reposado
Aged 6 months | MSRP $59.99
Nose: Lots of agave on the nose.
Taste: There is a delicious sweetness on the palate, light caramel notes, complex. There is a lot going on here but it’s hard to pin down to specific flavors. None of them jump out at you but you can tell they are there. The flavors are a bit softer and rounded as compared to the Blanco but not in a negative way.
Thoughts: This is a very impressive Reposado. The barrel aging process really shines here, where the Blanco was very forward on the palate, the Reposado is much more complex. There is a lot more going on but the flavors are all a bit muted but not in a bad way. I wish I had more so I could compare the Blanco to the Reposado and I could really get into the differences that the 6 months in the barrel made.
Anejo
Aged 18 months | MSRP $99.99
Nose: The nose is not nearly as intense as it was on the previous three samples. There is a hint of oak which is to be expected after 18 months in a barrel. It was hard to find anything that really stood out on the nose with this one.
Taste: This one was saving itself for when you drink it as opposed to when you smell it. It’s a flavor bomb. Very smooth, there is no burn or any of the typical harsh flavors you get when drinking most tequilas.
Thoughts: This is a really special tequila. The Anejo has won multiple awards and I can see why. It’s spectacular. A friend that was tasting with me called this the “greatest tequila that he’s ever tasted.” If you’re going to spend up on a bottle of ultra-premium tequila, you can’t go wrong with this one.
Origen – Extra Anejo
Aged 6 years | MSRP $269.99
Nose: This smells like what you’d envision an amazing tequila would smell like. It has a much more of a nose than what you’d expect from a tequila. There is also a stronger agave nose than with the previously tasted expressions.
Taste: Some slight vanilla notes as well as a hint of spice on the finish. It was hard to pin down the spice. I kept going back and forth between black pepper and cinnamon.
Thoughts: This one was really good as well. I had no idea how limited or how expensive this one was until I researched the suggested pricing the day after I did the tasting. 6 years is a long time to age a tequila and you can really taste the effect the barrel aging has on this tequila. Again, it’s really good but you’d have to be really into tequila and/or ultra-aged spirits to spend up for a bottle of this.
I am in no way shape or form anywhere close to a Master Tequilero. Most of my knowledge is bourbon based but tequila is my second favorite spirit and I really do enjoy it. This tasting was fun and I discovered not only a new brand that I had never heard before, but I discovered at least two amazing bottles that I’ll be purchasing for personal consumption. The Codigo Blanco is great. I’m usually not a Blanco fan but this one really opened my eyes. If you like tequila, you need to try this one. By far and away, my personal favorite was the Anejo. It was just flat out amazing and not just for a tequila. This one is a must try if you like sipping tequilas. It’s not cheap but do yourself a favor and find a bar or a restaurant with a good tequila selection and try this. You’ll be glad you did. I’m going to be looking for a bottle of this ASAP for my home bar. The Origen was really good but I can’t justify spending $250+ on a bottle of almost anything, especially a non-bourbon.
Hopefully this article has encouraged you to branch out and try something new or unfamiliar. The Bourbon & Banter team always want you to #DrinkCurious and we will continue to branch out in the upcoming months to give our readers a bit more coverage beyond bourbon. Don’t worry, there will still be PLENTY of bourbon content. We just want to give you some content on other spirits from the perspective of bourbon enthusiasts.
Disclaimer: Codigo 1530 provided Bourbon & Banter with a sample of their products for this review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.
Brent was born and raised in Indianapolis, IN. After graduating from the University of Kansas with a degree in Journalism, he moved back to Indy where he eventually resurrected his family's brand of all beef kosher style hot dogs and opened a restaurant, King David Dogs, in downtown Indianapolis. When he's not juggling the many duties of an entrepreneur, he can usually be found relaxing at home with his wife, their twin boys, and their two dogs. Brent is a member of the Bourbon Society of Indianapolis, a BBQ enthusiast, and a cigar aficionado. Three things that are even better when enjoyed together with good friends. If Brent is not talking about bourbon, he's probably talking about sports, in particular, NFL football and Kansas Jayhawks basketball. You can follow his blog, BBQ and Bourbon here.
Read Brent's full profile.
About the Author
Great review Brent. I really like how you personalized the tasting and put it into layman type terms. I love reading your reviews.
Sounds like a tequila series that we should try. I tend to prefer the extra anejo. We are currently sipping the Gran Patron Piedra which is a truly remarkable tequila. If the Origen is anywhere close to the Piedra, it is worth the price.
BTW, I have no idea what an “organic” yeast strain would be and I am a microbiologist. This is pure marketing BS.
Had an old fashioned at a Mexican restaurant recently made with the reposado and a piloncillo syrup. Outstanding. Been eyeing a bottle ever since.
Jeff,
Thanks for the comment. I’ve never tried the Piedra but the Origen was very good. I just didn’t think it was 2.5x better than the Anejo as far as cost goes. As for the “organic” yeast claim, I”d agree with you on the marketing BS, That term came from their website when researching the brand.
The Gran Patron Piedra is a very special bottle but very expensive. I agree that high prices should be backed up by a superior or unique product and I think that for special occasions the Piedra is worth it but it is certainly not a daily drinker unless you have very deep pockets.
My wife is the tequila drinker in my house and tends to prefer anejo tequilas due to a more complex product. I recently did a blind tasting for her with 4 tequilas and she identified them perfectly. Her benchmark is the Patron Anejo.
In regards to the organic yeast, I work in the food industry and the amount of labeling that is pure marketing is amazing. One example is chicken labele as “no added hormone or steroids”. Sounds good until you learn that hormones and steroids have been banned in the US since 1959. It is just marketing.
I could understand that a statement that they use a wild yeast strain or one that they had developed but the organic designation has no meaning.
I appreciate the article and the tasting. I will look up this tequila and try a bottle of the anejo.
Thanks again.
I just saw a bottle in my local store. I had a good feeling about it, but left it there. After the video and your comments, I’m going back tomorrow to pick it up. Thanks!