Last Updated on: 6th April 2024, 01:52 am
J Highland
J Highland is a certified sommelier with 30 years in the liquor industry, owning a pub, a liquor store, and moonlighting as an agave spirits distiller.
Discover the differences between 1800 Reposado vs Herradura Reposado in this in-depth comparison and decide which Tequila is better for you!
Quick Note: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as an agave spirits distiller. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions and online research.
Written by: J Highland
1800 Reposado vs Herradura Reposado: Comparison
1800 Reposado: Dominated by oak and caramel and oak char bitterness. Aged 6 months, offers a short, peppery finish. Ideal for “low-end” cocktails where its flavor can be complemented.
Herradura Reposado: Features a balanced mix of agave, vanilla, caramel, and oak, with a sweet and spicy palate. Aged 11 months, it has a long finish with a pleasant bite. Best enjoyed on the rocks, providing a harmonious balance of flavors.
Verdict: 1800 Reposado is geared toward cocktail enthusiasts looking for a tequila with a pronounced oak influence. Herradura Reposado, with its rich agave presence and balanced sweetness and spice, is suited for those who appreciate a sipping experience, states tequila expert Neil Coleman.
Related: Quality Affordable Reposado Tequilas
1800 Reposado: A More Oak-Forward Option for Mixing
- Nose: Vanilla, lemon, oak, alcohol
- Palate: Agave, oak, caramel, alcohol
- Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
- How to drink: Cocktails
- Similar to: 1800 Silver
Bourbon-like Aroma:
1800 Reposado opens with an aroma reminiscent of bourbon, dominated by caramel and oak. The oak presence intensifies over time, revealing oak char bitterness.
Short and Bolder Finish:
The finish is short and slightly harsh, leaving behind a bitter and peppery taste.
Better Suited for Mixing:
While not the smoothest for sipping neat, 1800 Reposado’s bold oak character and shorter finish make it a more suitable choice for cocktails, particularly “low end” ones where other flavors can complement its profile.
Key Points:
- Aged for 6 months in American and French oak barrels.
- Strong oak presence with caramel notes in the aroma.
- Short finish with bitterness and peppery hints.
- Better suited for mixing cocktails due to its bold flavor profile.
- Named after the year Tequila was recognized as a spirit.
- Created by Jose Cuervo in 1975 as a premium sipping tequila, but the taste profile may not suit everyone’s preferences.
Herradura Reposado: A Balanced Reposado with Agave, Spice, and Oak
- Nose: Agave, vanilla, caramel, oak
- Palate: Vanilla, agave, caramel, oak, black pepper
- Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
- How to drink: Rocks
- Similar to: Herradura Añejo
Pleasant Aroma:
Herradura Reposado boasts a subtle and inviting aroma, starting with a hint of agave followed by notes of vanilla, caramel, and oak.
Rich & Balanced Flavor:
The taste offers a rich agave flavor with a sweet fruity note, complemented by black pepper and oak spice.
Long Finish:
The finish is long, with the characteristic Herradura bite, but remains pleasantly sweet with lingering oaky notes.
Harmonious & Enjoyable:
This Reposado achieves a harmonious balance between agave sweetness (caramel, vanilla) and spiciness (black pepper, oak), resulting in a satisfying and enjoyable experience.
Rocks Recommended:
Herradura recommends enjoying this Reposado on the rocks. Adding a large ice ball helps tame the heat and enhance the smoothness of the barrel spice, making it more drinkable.
Key Points:
- Aged for 11 months in oak barrels.
- Balanced flavor profile with agave, black pepper, oak, and hints of fruit and caramel.
- Long finish with a slight bite and lingering oak.
- Recommended to be enjoyed on the rocks.
- First Reposado tequila introduced in 1974.
- Produced by a historic Mexican distillery (since 1870), currently owned by Brown-Forman.
Price comparison
Prices are approximate and stated in USD:
| Tequila | Price |
| 1800 Reposado | $27 |
| Herradura Reposado | $37 |
Specs comparison
| Characteristics | 1800 | Herradura |
| Type of Tequila | Reposado | Reposado |
| Aging length | 6 months | 11 months |
| 100% agave | Yes | Yes |
| Grinding method | Roller mill | Roller mill |
| Stainless steel tank fermentation | Yes | Yes |
| Wood tank fermentation | No | No |
| Cooking method | Autoclave | Brick Ovens |
| Double-distilled | Yes | No |
| Triple-distilled | No | Yes |
| Additives | Unsure | Unsure |
| Certified organic | No | No |
| ABV | 40% | 40% |
| Proof | 80 | 80 |