Style: Reposado tequila
Age: 6 months
Proof: 80 (40% ABV)
Region: Los Altos, Jalisco

The name Mayenda says quite a bit about this new brand’s approach to tequila. Mayenda is a portmanteau of “Leyenda”, the Spanish word for “legend”, and Mayahuel, the Aztec Goddess associated with the agave plant. Master tequilero Jesus Susunaga, and his team at Casa San Nicolás (NOM: 1440) in the highlands of Jalisco, have set out to create a high-end, agave-focused sipping tequila for all to enjoy.

To achieve this they infuse the tequila with roasted agave and agave miel from the cooking process just before the final distillation, with the intent to imbue the finished tequila with even more agave flavor. The brand-new Mayenda Reposado takes that base distillate and then subjects it to a unique double-cask process in which it matures for six months in both used American oak barrels and unused European oak. Let’s see how the combination of barrels plays with Mayenda’s agave-forward approach.

Tasting notes

First and foremost, the color of Mayenda Reposado is very light with a slight golden tint. This implies two things — the influence of the oak should be relatively minimal and there is a lack of artificial caramel coloring. Both are good signs. On the nose, the tequila presents an aroma of cooked agave with caramel and vanilla with mango and pineapple. On the palate, notes of charred pineapple, agave, and agave are the most noticeable. On the mid-palate, there’s a warming pop of clove and cinnamon before the brief, yet satisfying finish of honey and caramelized tropical fruit ends the experience.

Final thoughts

Mayenda Reposado is a smooth, straightforward tequila that provides a pleasant sipping experience. For the most adventurous connoisseurs of agave spirits who enjoy exploring the fringes of the category, Mayenda may come off as uncomplicated. But that’s not who this tequila is for. In a world overflowing with mass-market tequilas dripping with glycerine and vanilla extract, Mayenda offers a drinking experience that’s pleasant and approachable to those newer to the category but presents a focus on the agave in both the aroma and flavor. I would personally like to try the tequila at a higher proof point to see if it might provide a bit more depth and a longer finish, but I’m not the average drinker. Most people will find Mayenda Reposado to be an easy, tasty sipper and a perfect companion for the summer.