The New York World Spirits Competition (NYWSC) awarded Best in Class honors to five Tequilas, one Mezcal, and one Bacanora. The NYWSC is part of the Tasting Alliance’s family of international wine, beer, and spirit competitions. The event featured several hundred entries, many of whom were not well-known to American Tequila enthusiasts. Below is a brief description of the winners, along with tasting notes.
Nobleza 33, Reposado Tequila, 40% ABV, 750 ml.
The top-ranked Tequila, winning Best Overall Tequila and Best Reposado Tequila honors, was Nobleza 33, Reposado Tequila, an ultra-premium tequila crafted by Master Tequilero Engineer Felipe Camarena at the El Pandillo distillery in Arandas, Jalisco, Mexico.
More than 470 Tequila expressions from 197 brands competed in the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC). Five expressions from each category of Tequila made it into the final round. The category winners and overall best Tequila will be announced in October at the SFWSC Gala in San Francisco.
According to Amanda Blue, President of the Tasting Alliance, the organization that sponsors the SFWSC, “the number of entries was a record and underscored the ever-growing presence of Tequila in the US beverage industry.”
The five finalists in the Reposado category are: Nobleza 33, Tequila Nobleza 33 Reposado, 40% ABV; Casa Don Ramon, Tequila Reposado 100% Don Ramón Edición Limitada Cerámica, 40% ABV; El Mayor, El Mayor Reposado, 40% ABV; Los Rijos Reposado Tequila 40% ABV; and 1800 Reposado Tequila, 40% ABV.
Nobleza 33 Reposado Tequila has achieved a monumental honor, winning not only the Best in Class Reposado but also being named Best Overall Tequila at the 2024 New York World Spirits Competition.
Nobleza 33 Reposado is crafted with meticulous attention, aged for 4 to 6 months in American Oak bourbon barrels. This careful aging imparts a unique balance of flavors, creating a tequila that harmonizes the warmth of aged wood with the natural sweetness of agave. The bourbon barrel aging enriches the spirit, offering notes of hazelnut, vanilla, and a soft, woody character that deepens the tequila’s profile.
Nobleza 33 Reposado Tequila reveals a rich golden hue with inviting aromas of vanilla, sweet agave, and light oak. On the palate, you’ll find flavors of toasted hazelnut, caramel, and warm spice, layered over a subtle smokiness from the bourbon barrels.