Adictivo Tequila Reviews

Last Updated on: 13th May 2024, 06:45 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.

Written by: J Highland

Key Takeaways from Adictivo Tequila: Sweet and Smooth Tequila Experience

Unique Aging Process:

Adictivo Plata stands out with a three-week aging in French oak casks, offering a distinctive sweetness uncommon in typical silver tequilas.

Sweet and Smooth Profiles:

Each variant of Adictivo tequila, from Plata to Extra Añejo, emphasizes a smooth, sweet taste profile with notes of vanilla, caramel, and honey, differentiating it from more traditional, peppery tequilas.

Extended Aging for Enhanced Sweetness:

Adictivo Añejo and Extra Añejo undergo longer aging periods in new French oak barrels, deepening the caramel and vanilla flavors while adding subtle oaky notes.

Ideal for Sweet Palate Drinkers:

These tequilas are perfect for those who prefer their spirits to be less harsh and more mellow, featuring sweet, rich flavors that can dominate the traditional agave essence.

Versatile Drinking Experience:

Recommended to be enjoyed on the rocks, these tequilas can also be sipped neat due to their smooth finish and lack of harshness.

Comparative Profiles:

Adictivo tequilas are often compared to other premium tequilas like Mi Familia Flores, Clase Azul Reposado, Casamigos Añejo, Avion Reserva 44, and Don Julio 70, highlighting their premium positioning in the market.

Cristalino: A Special Mention:

The Adictivo Cristalino offers a unique experience by filtering the Extra Añejo to remove color and intensify smoothness, making it an interesting choice for those looking for an exceptionally smooth and sweet tequila.

Conclusion:
Adictivo Tequila variants offer a distinctly sweet and smooth drinking experience, making them a standout choice for those seeking a less traditional, more dessert-like tequila. Whether you are new to tequila or a seasoned enthusiast looking for something different, Adictivo’s range provides intriguing options to explore.

Quick Note: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions from Neil Coleman, and online research, focusing on aroma, taste, finish, and value. In addition, I moonlight as an agave spirits distiller.

Sweet and Smooth: Exploring Adictivo Plata Tequila

Nose: Agave, vanilla, caramel
Palate: Agave, vanilla, caramel, citrus
Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
How to drink: Rocks
Similar to: Mi Familia Flores

Adictivo Plata is a unique silver tequila that offers a distinct taste profile compared to standard silver tequilas.

A Hint of Sweetness

Unlike most silver tequilas which are bottled right after distillation, Adictivo Plata undergoes a special three-week aging process in French oak casks. This short aging period gives Adictivo Plata a subtle amber color and adds a touch of sweetness to its flavor profile. Some drinkers describe the taste as sweet, with hints of fruits like pear, apple, and vanilla, alongside a touch of white pepper.

Short and Smooth Finish

The sweetness is complemented by a smooth and easy finish, leaving no lingering burn behind. While some may find the sweetness a bit too much, it can be a good option for those who enjoy a mellow tequila experience.

Is it for you?

If you're looking for a silver tequila with a unique twist, Adictivo Plata's touch of sweetness and subtle oak influence might be worth exploring. However, if you prefer the classic peppery bite of a standard silver tequila, you might want to try an unaged option.

Adictivo Reposado: A Tequila for Sweet Tooths?

Nose: Caramel, vanilla, honey, oak
Palate: Caramel, honey, vanilla, oak
Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
How to drink: Rocks
Similar to: Clase Azul Reposado

Sweet Notes Take Center Stage

Adictivo Reposado's aroma leans towards alcohol with a touch of brown sugar. Unlike some tequilas, the blue agave isn't prominent on the taste. Instead, a sweetness reminiscent of artificial honey is the star, along with hints of vanilla from the French oak barrels. The finish is smooth and oily, with a lingering sweetness.

A Departure from Tradition

The sweetness gives this tequila a vodka-like quality, which some may find strays from a classic tequila profile.

Sweet sips or Mixed Magic?

For those who enjoy a touch of sweetness in their tequila, Adictivo Reposado can be enjoyed neat or on the rocks. However, if you prefer the typical peppery bite of a tequila, you might want to consider a different expression.

Adictivo Añejo: Oak Influence Meets Sweetness

Nose: Caramel, vanilla, oak, cinnamon
Palate: Caramel, oak, vanilla, cinnamon
Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
How to drink: Rocks
Similar to: Casamigos Añejo

Aromatic Promise

Adictivo Añejo offers an inviting nose with pleasant aromas of oak and toasted almond. This hints at a richer experience compared to the Reposado.

Sweetness with a Hint of Oak

The flavor delivers a bold initial punch of caramel, oak, vanilla, and a touch of cinnamon. While some may enjoy this sweetness, it fades quickly, leaving a short finish. This sweetness is a hallmark of Adictivo tequilas, and may limit some drinkers to just one serving.

Añejo vs. Reposado

The Añejo shows improvement over the Reposado with the addition of oaky notes, offering a touch more balance. This is likely due to the extended aging period - 24 months in new French oak barrels compared to the Reposado's eight months. The extra aging also deepens the color, resulting in a darker amber hue.

Adictivo Extra Añejo: Sweetness Reigns Supreme

Nose: Caramel, vanilla, oak, butterscotch
Palate: Caramel, vanilla, oak, honey
Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
How to drink: Rocks
Similar to: Avion Reserva 44

Oak & Heat Peeking Through

Adictivo Extra Añejo boasts a nose and flavor profile with hints of oak and a noticeable warmth. However, the defining characteristic is its intense sweetness.

Extra-Aged & Extra-Dark

This tequila undergoes a lengthy aging process - a whopping seven years, which is significantly longer than the standard 3-4 years for Extra Añejo tequilas. This extended aging results in a deep, Coca-Cola-like color and a stronger oak influence compared to other tequilas in this category. However, the extra aging seems to do little to temper the dominant sweetness.

Adictivo Cristalino: Smoothness Meets Sweetness

Nose: Caramel, vanilla, oak
Palate: Caramel, vanilla, oak, honey
Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
How to drink: Rocks
Similar to: Don Julio 70

Subtle Hints on the Nose

Take a deep breath and explore the aroma of Adictivo Cristalino. While subtle, hints of agave and oak peek through, accompanied by whispers of cherry, vanilla, and a touch of alcohol.

Smooth Sipping, Light Body

The first sip reveals a smooth and gentle experience, free of any harshness or burning sensation. However, some might find its body a bit thin for the price point. The sweetness takes center stage, offering distinct notes of vanilla and apple.

Engineered for Sweetness

This pronounced sweetness might raise an eyebrow. Unlike the earthy agave notes typically associated with tequila, Adictivo Cristalino leans into a sugary profile.

Extra Añejo in Disguise?

Adictivo Cristalino is essentially the Extra Añejo tequila filtered to remove color and some harsher components. This filtration process results in an even smoother experience but also intensifies the sweetness.

Tequila or Something Else?

The smoothness and sweetness undeniably make Adictivo Cristalino easy to sip, but some may argue it strays too far from the traditional tequila profile. Whether it qualifies as a true tequila or a tequila-inspired liqueur is a matter of personal preference.

Frequently Asked Questions

Pricing

Blanco: Approximately $56
Reposado: Approximately $62
Añejo: Approximately $75
Extra Añejo: Approximately $110
Cristalino: Approximately $110

Drinking Suggestions

Blanco: Best on the rocks
Reposado: Ideal on the rocks
Añejo: Suitable for neat or on the rocks
Extra Añejo: Preferably neat
Cristalino: Enjoyable on the rocks

Ownership and Production of Adictivo Tequila

Adictivo is a Mexican brand, owned by Gildardo Partida, a third-generation distiller.
Produced at Compañia Tequilera Puerta de Hierro in El Arenal, Jalisco, the company also produces other brands, including Cava de Oro.

Sweetness and Additives in Adictivo Tequila

The pronounced sweetness suggests the likely use of artificial sweeteners or additives, though not definitively confirmed.
The use of additives is common in some Tequilas to ensure consistency, but it may not appeal to everyone.