El Bandido Yankee Blanco

El Bandido Yankee’s slogan is “So Smooth, It’s Criminal” and it ain’t no lie. 

This tequila is made at the venerable El Viejito distillery in Atotolnico el Alto, where they also make the eponymous El Viejito as well as Santo and other brands.

Crafted by Katrina Rojo (one of the few female maestra tequileros) this is a crisp, straightforward blanco that achieves its distinct lack of bite and burn via heavy oxygenation after distillation.

Priced very reasonably, this celebrity brand (owned by NHL great Chris Chelios and NFL vet Jim Bob Morris) makes a great mixer and a satisfying sipper, if not terribly complex.

Restrained aroma overall, with notes of citrus and flowers.

Flavors are primarily cooked agave, black pepper, and more mintiness than exhibited by most blancos. A faintly sweet finish eases the ride even more.