Anteel Tequila Reposado Review | Is It Worth It? | The Liquor Connoisseur
- connoisseurofliquo
- Apr 26
- 2 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Anteel Tequila made its name with an unusual ingredient: activated charcoal in the Blanco. The Reposado takes a more traditional path. Crystal and Roger evaluate whether this Black-owned Mexican brand's standard expression earns attention beyond the novelty of its signature bottle.
Bottle Specs
Spirit: Anteel Tequila Reposado
Distillery: NOM 1137, Jalisco, Mexico
Brand: Anteel Tequila — Black-owned brand
Category: 100% Blue Weber Agave Reposado
Age: 2-month minimum oak rest
ABV: ~40%
Price: ~$45–55
Anteel's Story
Anteel was founded by Cleo Tatum and Ty Reese — a Black-owned tequila brand navigating an industry where Black ownership remains rare. The activated charcoal Blanco drew attention when it launched, but Crystal and Roger focus here on the Reposado — the more traditional expression — to evaluate the brand on its liquid quality rather than its visual identity.
Tasting Notes — Nose, Palate, Finish
Nose: Cooked agave with light vanilla from the oak rest and a citrus note that keeps the nose bright. Palate: Smooth and approachable — the two-month reposado rest has softened the Blanco's agave edge while preserving the spirit's core character. Caramel and agave sweetness in the mid-palate. Finish: Clean and medium-short, with agave and light oak fading together.
Is It Worth It?
Crystal and Roger's assessment: yes, with context. At $45–55, Anteel Reposado is competing with established expressions that have more age and brand recognition. The liquid is genuinely good — clean, honest, and better than the price point demands. The brand story adds meaning without being required to justify the quality.
🥃 Crystal & Roger's LC Recommendations
To support Black-owned spirits: Anteel is independently owned and operated. Your purchase directly supports diversity in an industry that needs more of it.
As a cocktail reposado: Anteel Reposado in a Margarita or Paloma lets the agave character shine. It's clean enough to not overwhelm mixers.
For newcomers to tequila: The Reposado's approachability makes it an excellent first bottle for someone curious about moving beyond basic tequilas.
LC Verdict
A genuinely well-made reposado from a brand doing important work in the spirits industry. Anteel is worth buying, and the Reposado is worth drinking.
Drink To Remember, Not To Forget. 🥃
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