La Gritona Reposado 700ML

La Gritona Reposado 700ML is a 100% Blue Weber agave reposado tequila from Jalisco, Mexico, bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof) in a 700ml format. Awarded 95 points by Wine Enthusiast, this expression stands apart in the reposado category for its deliberately agave-forward profile — the result of aging in barrels intentionally stripped of residual oak character.
Quick Facts: ABV: 40%  |  Origin: Valle De Guadalupe, Jalisco, Mexico  |  Aged 8 Months  |  NOM 1533  |  Distiller: Melly Barajas
Production & Heritage
La Gritona is distilled by Melly Barajas — one of Mexico’s few female tequila distillers — at her facility in Valle De Guadalupe, Jalisco (NOM 1533). Highland-grown Blue Weber agave is steam-cooked in thick-walled earthen ovens for 24 hours, then naturally fermented in open steel vats over an unusually long 8- to 12-day cycle before distillation in steel stills fitted with copper coils. What truly distinguishes this reposado is its barrel program: the spirit rests for eight months in reused American whiskey barrels (sourced from Jack Daniel’s) that have been lightly charred and previously used for other tequilas. This deliberate stripping of residual oak, whiskey, and color means the barrels soften and round the blanco without imposing the caramel-vanilla overlay common to most reposados.
Tasting Notes
Aroma: The nose opens with raw agave and garden greens, followed by delicate white flowers and a trace of mint. A subtle fruity funk — almost tropical — lingers beneath the herbaceous top notes.
Taste: The entry is bright with cooked agave and vegetal character, quickly moving into lychee and faint floral hints at mid-palate. Black pepper and cinnamon emerge alongside a whisper of ripe-banana funk, while freshly cut grass keeps the profile rooted in its highland agave origins. Sweetness is restrained throughout.
Finish: Long and drying, with grapefruit peel and pink peppercorn trailing off into a punchy, bright close. The absence of heavy oak influence lets the agave character persist cleanly through the final moments.
How to Drink La Gritona
Sipping neat at room temperature is the most rewarding approach — the entire point of this tequila is its transparent agave character, and dilution or ice will flatten those delicate vegetal notes. That said, the bright, peppery profile translates well into cocktails. A Paloma benefits from La Gritona’s grapefruit-peel finish, which amplifies the citrus soda. In a Ranch Water, the herbaceous backbone holds its own against sparkling mineral water and lime. A Margarita built with this reposado will lean savory and green rather than sweet, making it ideal for those who prefer a drier style.
Best For
Tequila drinkers transitioning from blanco who want reposado smoothness without heavy oak
Gifting to a spirits enthusiast who values artisanal, small-production distilling
Side-by-side tastings comparing agave-forward versus barrel-driven reposados
Hosting a tequila-focused dinner party with food pairings
Frequently Asked Questions
What does La Gritona taste like? La Gritona Reposado is herbaceous and agave-forward, with cooked agave, tropical fruit, black pepper, and freshly cut grass leading to a long, drying finish of grapefruit peel and pink peppercorn. It deliberately avoids the vanilla-caramel sweetness typical of most reposados.
How does La Gritona compare to El Tequileño Reposado Gran Reserva? Both are well-regarded highland reposados, but La Gritona leans significantly more vegetal and agave-driven due to its spent-barrel aging program, while El Tequileño Gran Reserva delivers a more traditional oak-influenced profile with greater sweetness. El Tequileño Gran Reserva typically comes in at a lower price point, making the comparison relevant for value-conscious buyers.
Is La Gritona good for sipping neat? Absolutely — the eight-month aging softens the spirit just enough for comfortable neat sipping, while the spent barrels preserve the bright agave personality that rewards slow, attentive drinking.
Where is La Gritona made? La Gritona is produced at NOM 1533 in Valle De Guadalupe, Jalisco, Mexico, by distiller Melly Barajas. The Blue Weber agave is sourced from the highlands of Jalisco, known for producing fruitier, more herbaceous agave.
What foods pair well with La Gritona? Ceviche with citrus and jalapeño mirrors the tequila’s bright acidity. Grilled fish tacos with salsa verde complement the herbaceous notes. Aged goat cheese echoes the peppery finish. Roasted poblano peppers reinforce the vegetal character. Fresh mango with chili-lime seasoning bridges the tropical fruit and spice in the mid-palate.
What sizes does La Gritona come in? La Gritona Reposado is available in a 700ml bottle, which is its standard format for most markets.
Is La Gritona worth the price? La Gritona positions as a premium small-production reposado, and its 95-point Wine Enthusiast score validates its standing in the category. For drinkers who specifically seek agave-forward character over barrel influence, it delivers a profile that very few competitors at any price point replicate.
Why La Gritona?
The spent-barrel aging method is the defining detail here — by using American whiskey barrels that have already been exhausted through multiple fills and light charring, Melly Barajas has engineered a reposado that gains texture and roundness without sacrificing agave transparency. That approach earned 95 points from Wine Enthusiast, a score that places it among the highest-rated reposados on the market. The extended natural fermentation of 8 to 12 days also contributes complexity that shorter ferments cannot achieve, adding the tropical fruit and funky depth that reviewers consistently note. In a category increasingly dominated by additive-laden, oak-heavy expressions, La Gritona stands as a purist’s reposado built to showcase the plant itself.