Last Updated on: 17th May 2024, 10:41 pm
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.
With the assistance of Tequila expert Neil Coleman and customer feedback, I have reviewed and ranked every G4 Tequila release and determined which is the best.
Written by: J Highland
Choosing the Best G4 Tequila
G4 Tequila offers a range of expressions, each catering to a specific preference:
- G4 Blanco: For the purist who enjoys a classic tequila experience. This Blanco delivers a bold agave presence with earthy notes and a peppery kick. Savor it neat to appreciate its pure taste.
- G4 Blanco Madera: For the discerning Blanco drinker seeking a more nuanced experience. This Blanco boasts a rich agave character with hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of minerality. It carries a premium price tag but offers an unforgettable taste.
- G4 Reposado: For those who prefer a smoother tequila with some complexity. Aged in ex-bourbon barrels, this Reposado retains its agave essence while introducing notes of caramel, vanilla, and oak. It's a great choice for those who find Blanco too bold.
- G4 Añejo: For the agave enthusiast who appreciates a drier profile. This Añejo features a warm agave embrace with subtle oak support and hints of vanilla and black pepper. It prioritizes agave over sweetness, making it ideal for those who don't favor heavily oaked tequilas.
- G4 Extra Añejo: For the true tequila connoisseur who values a focus on the blue agave. Aged for 4 years, this Extra Añejo delivers a sweet and velvety experience with bold agave, caramel, nuts, and baking spices. It stays true to G4's agave-forward philosophy.
- G4 Extra Añejo 55: For those seeking a unique and agave-focused Extra Añejo. This 55-month aged tequila defies expectations by showcasing a beautiful agave sweetness despite extended aging. Hints of oak, black pepper, and caramel complement the rich agave character.
- Selection Criteria: 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 from Neil Coleman, and online research, focusing on aroma, taste, finish, and value.
G4 Blanco: A Taste of Agave's Heart
G4 Blanco offers a captivating aroma of roasted agave, earthy notes, and hints of black pepper, reminiscent of lush agave fields. The creamy taste unfolds with blue agave sweetness balanced by earthiness and a touch of saltiness, accented by citrus and grass. The finish is warm and dry, lingering with cinnamon and black pepper.
Embodying classic Blanco traits, G4 Blanco delivers a bold agave presence, earthy depth, and a touch of peppery warmth. Savor it neat or with ice cubes to appreciate its pure, additive-free taste.
G4 Blanco Madera: A Nuanced Blanco Experience
G4 Blanco Madera takes the classic Blanco to new heights. Its aroma entices with cooked agave, citrus whispers, cinnamon warmth, and a hint of briny intrigue. The first sip is a rich embrace of agave, interwoven with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of minerality. This luxuriousness extends to the long finish, where the mineral notes linger delightfully.
Despite a higher proof (90 compared to 80), the heat stays balanced, allowing the nuanced flavors to shine, states tequila expert Neil Coleman.
This is a Blanco for the true connoisseur: well-rounded, brimming with rich agave character, and accented by cinnamon, nutmeg, and a subtle mineral undertone. While it carries a premium price tag, the investment is rewarded with an unforgettable tequila experience.
G4 Reposado: Agave Meets Smooth Oak Comfort
G4 Reposado offers a welcoming aroma: mild agave intertwined with grapefruit, caramel, and a touch of black pepper. The smooth palate highlights agave and black pepper, layered with subtle notes of butter, citrus, and oak. The finish is long, warming with a hint of cinnamon.
Aged for 6 months in ex-bourbon barrels, this Reposado adds delightful complexities. The spirit retains its agave essence, but introduces rich caramel, vanilla, and oak notes, alongside whispers of grapefruit and butter. Compared to the bold Blanco, this Reposado provides a more approachable experience, earning its place among top Reposados.
G4 Añejo: Agave Hero with Subtle Oak Support
G4 Añejo opens with a delicate dance of vanilla, caramel, and a hint of orange peel. The smooth palate delivers a warm agave embrace, interwoven with vanilla and black pepper.
Unlike some Añejos, oak plays a supporting role, enhancing the agave instead of dominating. This drier profile, less sweet than some, caters to those who crave a robust agave experience. The finish is long and warming, lingering with cinnamon and agave notes.
G4 Añejo is an agave enthusiast's dream, but may not suit those seeking a sweeter, heavily oaked tequila. Ultimately, personal preference takes center stage. If you appreciate a subtle oak presence that allows other flavors to shine, and value an additive-free tequila, G4 Añejo is a worthy exploration.
G4 Extra Añejo: Agave Extravaganza with Subtle Oak
G4 Extra Añejo explodes with ripe fruit on the nose, offering pineapple, orange, and hints of agave and oak. The palate is luxuriously oily, showcasing bold agave alongside caramel, nuts, baking spices, and a touch of black pepper. This focus on agave continues through the long, warm finish, lingering with baking spice notes.
Aged for 4 years in ex-bourbon barrels, this Extra Añejo prioritizes agave over oak, creating a sweet and velvety experience. While it stays true to the G4 lineup's emphasis on agave, those seeking a more pronounced oak character may find it less familiar. However, for true tequila connoisseurs who treasure the taste of blue agave, G4 Extra Añejo is a prized possession.
G4 Extra Añejo 55: Agave Majesty with a Whisper of Oak
G4 Extra Añejo 55 defies expectations. The aroma is a study in balance: agave, a whisper of oak, hints of black pepper, and a touch of caramel. The surprisingly buttery palate bursts with rich agave, defying its 55-month aging. Sweet fruit, black pepper, caramel, and a hint of aged leather follow the agave's lead. The finish is a testament to its agave focus, lingering with agave, oak, and a pleasant warmth.
Unlike most Extra Añejos (aged 3 years), G4's extended aging maintains a beautiful agave sweetness, thanks to its subtle oak influence. This unique profile makes it a dream for those seeking a smooth and flavorful extra añejo where agave reigns supreme. An added bonus: it's bottled at 90 proof for a touch more kick.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the Reputation of G4 Tequila in the Market?
- Brand Quality: G4, crafted by the Camarena family, is renowned for its meticulous production process and authentic flavor, marking it as a premium tequila brand.
Pricing Guide
- Pricing Overview (USD):
- Blanco: $45
- Blanco Madera: $85
- Reposado: $54
- Añejo: $81
- Extra Añejo: $125
- Extra Añejo 55: $200
Is G4 Tequila Mexican-Owned?
- Ownership: Yes, G4 Tequila is owned by the Camarena Family, with a long-standing tradition in tequila production dating back to 1937.