Chambers said: “This feels like a category where producers are trying to experiment and push the limits a little bit within the rules. It was a pretty great flight.”

Sierra Tequila is known worldwide for its unique shot ritual: Cinnamon - Sierra Tequila Reposado - orange. Completing the flight was Sierra Milenario Tequila Extra Añejo, which walked away with a Silver medal. The Tequila was found to have a “hint of coffee” on the nose, with slight “vegetal notes” on the palate, complemented by a “balanced sweetness”. Looking across multiple categories, from premium to ultra premium, blanco to mixto, with entrants from producers of all scales, the competition saw a number of Tequila and mezcal brands awarded medals for their superior quality.A Silver medal was given to coffee‐flavoured Sierra Milenario Tequila Cafè. Two more Silver medals were hailed in the Tequila Liqueur round. El Sueño Watermelon Liqueur pleasantly surprised the judges with its “fresh watermelon notes” and some “light earthiness”. Silver winner Horus was likened to a “very well done chocolate cream”. In the 100% Agave Mezcal – Blanco heat, two Master medals were enjoyed. Ojo de Dios Mezcal was one of the recipients.

At the top end of the price spectrum, another Master was discovered: El Tequileño Añejo Gran Reserva. “It has very good notes of oak, cinnamon and caramel from the barrels,” commented Gomez. “For me, when I move to añejos, those producers and brands have to properly balance the oak elements with the agave. Here, this was done exceptionally well.” In the super-premium contingent, Patrón Añejo Tequila secured the top accolade. The Tequila still had distinct agave flavours, but maturation had “mellowed things nicely”, finishing with a “little pepper and slight saltiness on the palate”. In addition to its corners and edges, the gold label has the inscription: Sierra Tequila Reposado, imported, Hecho en Mexico, handcrafted from Agave Azul. The Sierra Tequila Reposado Mexican gold bottle is finished off with a golden Sombrero hat which completes the look. Chambers said: “Quality‐wise, this was a solid tasting. And you’re starting to see one or two producers pushing the boundaries of what can be done.”

Get to know the delicious taste of Sierra Reposado Tequila

It is made with blue tequilana webber agave, extracted from the Altos de Jalisco, produced by Sierra Unidas distilleries. Tanner remained equally enthused about agave‐based spirits. He added: “I think we’ll see, perhaps like gin, in a year or two there will be a more ‘contemporary’ Tequila category with different barrel finishes and a more experimental level. The judges then turned their attention to aged Tequilas, beginning with a flight of Mixto Tequila – Reposado. In this round, two Silver medallists were discovered. Sierra Tequila Reposado secured Silver for aromas of “fruit, vegetal notes and a touch of pepper”, leading to “some warming spice” on the palate. El Sueño Tequila Gold also took home Silver for delivering “some grassy notes” on the palate, and a “nice spiciness”.

El Tequileño Reposado Rare received a Gold in this flight, hailed for its “slightly floral aroma” with “pepperiness” on the palate and a “long finish”. Fellow Gold medallist The Bad Stuff Reserva Especial Extra Añejo had plenty of “lime zest and pepper” on the nose, which led to a “well rounded and balanced” spirit. Tequila Avíon Reserva 44 was awarded a Silver medal, with its “agave aromas mixed with some icing sugar sweetness”. In the following flight, Mixto Tequila – Reposado, a Gold medal was awarded to Tequila Olmeca Reposado, with its “caramel and woody aromas” and “great mouthfeel”, which led to an overall “nicely rounded Tequila”. A Silver medal was delivered to Sierra Tequila Reposado. “This had some nice vegetal notes that were well balanced with the wood and caramel,” noted Gomez. In the 100% Agave Mezcal Añejo flight, two more Silver medals were claimed. The first was secured by Señorío Añejo, which had a “vanilla sweetness” on the palate that complemented “very slight smoke” notes. Mijenta Reposado also scooped a Master, praised for its “lovely long finish with oak and earthy, smoky notes lingering for ages”.From there, the competition moved onto Flavoured Tequila, where a Gold medal was handed to 1800 Coconut, with its “inviting, fresh coconut” aroma and “agave notes on the finish”. Like pure gold, the Sierra Tequila Reposado Mexican Gold radiates through the white transparent glass of the stylishly designed bottle in the authentic Mexican design. El Tequileño Reposado Gran Reserva was awarded a Gold medal, enjoyed for having a “nice sweetness on the palate, but with the agave flavour still shining through”.