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901 Tequila Review

901-tequilaI feel extremely privileged to have been one of the first to touch my tongue to 901, a 100% de Agave tequila. I’ll warn you up front, the minute I learned Justin Timberlake was going to launch his own tequila brand I became an instant skeptic. Sure, the high profile stature of a celebrity can’t hurt a brand but, from a tequila reviewer, I was worried this would be a heavily marketed product with very little substance.

Was I correct? Let’s see!

901 Tequila launched in New York in early May and will be creeping across the US in the future. The suggested retail price is USD $40.00, attacking the premium tequila market. However, there are varying levels of pricing in the premium tequila market, a market full of crazy tequila bottles, names and gimmicks.

The 901 coloring is perfectly clear, excellent start to a Blanco tequila style. We’ve yet to see a blanco tequila that hasn’t held a strong clear coloring so we’re on par with all other non-rested alternatives. So far, it fits the bill and passes the first test.

Once I poured it into my sipping glass I was shocked at the scents, bright salty briney pineapple smells. There is a great deal of character in the nose alone, separating itself from a few other mass market tequila’s like Patron, which often goes without a scent. First impressions mean a lot to me, a silent tequila tells no story. 901 Tequila tells a tropical story of beaches and bright sun with hints of sugary agave.

The initial attack is bright and tropical in flavor profile with an agave-like salty mid-palate transition ending with a tongue numbing burn with a light vanilla aftertaste. The pineapples in my first impression continue through the length of the sip enforcing 901‘s character and differentiating style. The liquid is both smooth and graceful on the palate with a great visocity, leaving you yearning for another sip.

I’ve yet to try 901 Tequila in a cocktail but it’s high on my list of priorities this week, it will happen and I’m sure I will be impressed. When a tequila brings its own personality to the table it carries that personality into its mixing partners as well.

I’m going to have to take back any initial hesitations, 901 Tequila is for real and competes at a good price point. 901 Tequila puts Patron to shame in terms of nose and smooth gracefulness, although both will light a fire in your tummy. Up against a Cielo Blanco or Partida Blanco, 901 falls a bit short but not by much. The tequila brands that beat out 901 Tequila in taste also beat it out in price, leaving 901 to compete against the $40.00 alternative in which their is very little competition against this clear spirit.

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10 Comments

  • Reply
    The Awesomer » 901 Silver Tequila
    July 7, 2009 at 6:37 pm

    […] 901 Silver Tequila $40   Buy It   Hat Tip […]

  • Reply
    901 tequila
    August 31, 2009 at 11:58 am

    Thank you for this great review! Just wanted to let you know that 9/01 is just around the corner, and 901 Tequila is celebrating it with a very special announcement. Hope you will be watching!!!

  • Reply
    Carlos Garcia
    March 25, 2010 at 1:06 pm

    Its a bit to fruity for me. White tequilas should be buttery and aromatic. To me the nose on this tequila is not that unique. This is a mass produced tequila and it is distilled by a tequila house that makes sells tequila to many other brands. If one wanted to taste a REAL good blanco then they should put their hands on El Tequileno Platinum. Winner of this year’s Double Medal at the San Fransisco International Beverage Competition. Bar none is the best blanco out there and it is only $34.99. Thanks!

    • Reply
      Derrick Schommer
      March 26, 2010 at 10:50 am

      Have you tried El Gran Jubileo? That’s a nice spicy little blanco.

  • Reply
    Tom Amador
    July 31, 2010 at 10:01 am

    I haven’t tried the 901 yet, but thank you for the review. You’ve made me curious! I’m going to your site right now to see if you’ve sampled and/or reviewed any of the “Penca Azul” brand tequilas. Their reposado is my absolute favorite tequila, and their silver is my favorite of the silvers. The reposado is a bit pricey at $150, but if you are a reposado fan, it is definitley worth at least one bottle to add to your tequila tasting experiences.

  • Reply
    The Most Irresistible Man at the Party
    August 15, 2010 at 11:57 pm

    […] The good news about this Tequila is that if you are actually drinking it because you like tequila, most critics seem to agree that at a $40 price point it is a strong competitor to other more well known brands. Check out an older review here from the Every Day Drinker. […]

  • Reply
    Steve Hough
    August 11, 2011 at 11:23 am

    I personally think its aweful.

  • Reply
    Barbara Hudson
    February 22, 2012 at 12:25 pm

    Excellent!!!!

  • Reply
    Bill Newq
    May 12, 2012 at 5:17 pm

    I agree with Steve. Not smooth at all and what scent’s? You must have the shnoz of an elephant ’cause I didn’t taste pineapple, vanilla, etc.

    • Reply
      dschommer
      May 12, 2012 at 5:23 pm

      did you add a splash of water before you did the tasting?

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