🥃 Tequila reposado
Tequila class under NOM-006-SCFI-2012: at least two months in direct contact with oak containers of any size; Aged for export.
Tequila reposado (“rested”) is a tequila class under the Mexican standard NOM-006-SCFI-2012. It has been aged for at least two months in direct contact with oak. The standard does not limit the size of the container: it may be a 200-litre barrel or a large vat. Strength ranges from 35 to 55% ABV.
Rules. The oak may be of two kinds, which the standard calls roble and encino. Reposado may be softened: with caramel colouring, oak extract, glycerine or sugar syrup, together no more than 1% of the weight. A blend of reposado with añejo or extra añejo remains reposado under the standard. For export the class may be called Aged.
History. According to Difford's Guide, the term “reposado” was introduced in 1968; before that only unaged and aged tequila were distinguished. Today reposado is one of the most widespread classes.
Barrels and taste. According to VinePair, reposado is usually rested between two months and a year, often in ex-American whiskey barrels, less often in French oak; some producers use large vats (pipones) of up to 10,000 litres. The wood adds light notes of vanilla and spice, but the agave stays in front. That is why reposado is used both in cocktails such as the Margarita and neat.
Why this matters to you. “Reposado” guarantees at least two months in oak, but no more: the period up to a year is set by the producer. Colour can partly come from caramel, since softening is allowed. Only the “100% de agave” mark shows the share of agave. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| Legal basis | NOM-006-SCFI-2012, item 4.36.3; Aged for export (item 5.2.2) |
|---|---|
| Minimum maturation | at least 2 months in direct contact with oak |
| Cask type | oak (roble or encino) of any size; often ex-American whiskey barrels |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | 35–55% ABV at 20 °C |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Tequila reposado → packed in → 🍷 Oak barrel ← packed in ← 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Packed in
- 🍷 Oak barrel, 🥃 Ex-bourbon barrel
- Made from
- 🥃 Blue agave
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Related to
- 🥃 Margarita
- Part of
- 🥃 Tequila classes, 🌵 Tequila
- Similar and different
- 🌵 Mezcal, 🥃 Tequila blanco, 🥃 Tequila blanco, 🥃 Tequila joven, 🥃 Tequila joven, 🥃 Tequila añejo, 🥃 Tequila añejo, 🥃 Tequila extra añejo, 🥃 Tequila extra añejo
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that reposado is aged for at least a year?
No. The minimum is two months in direct contact with oak. From a year in barrels of up to 600 litres, the tequila may already be añejo.
What barrels is reposado aged in?
In oak containers of any size: often ex-American whiskey barrels, and also French oak and large vats.
What does Aged mean on a bottle of tequila?
It is the name of the reposado class permitted by NOM-006 for the international market.
Can caramel be added to reposado?
Yes. Softening with caramel colouring, oak extract, glycerine or sugar syrup is allowed, together no more than 1% of the weight.
Since when has the reposado class existed?
According to Difford's Guide, the term “reposado” was introduced in 1968.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Oak barrel — A wooden barrel of oak staves in which wine matures and breathes.
- 🥃 Ex-bourbon barrel — American white oak cask of 180–200 litres used for bourbon: bourbon may only be aged in new charred casks, so used ones go to Scotch, Irish whiskey and rum.
- 🌵 Mezcal — A Mexican distillate of 100% agave of any species: 35–55% vol.; categories mezcal, artesanal and ancestral; appellation of origin since 1994.
- 🥃 Tequila blanco — Clear tequila class under NOM-006-SCFI-2012 (blanco, plata, Silver for export): no softening additives, under two months in oak; 35–55% ABV.
Similar
🥃 Tequila añejo · 🥃 Tequila extra añejo · 🥃 Tequila blanco · 🥃 Tequila joven · 🥃 Tequila classes · 🥃 Mezcal with worm (con gusano)
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- NOM-006-SCFI-2012, Bebidas alcohólicas — Tequila — Especificaciones (DOF 13.12.2012): 4.1 abocado (caramel colour, natural oak extract, glycerine, sugar syrup); 4.36.1–4.36.5 classes blanco/plata, joven/oro, reposado (≥ 2 months, direct contact with oak), añejo (≥ 1 year, ≤ 600 l), extra añejo (≥ 3 years, ≤ 600 l); mixing rules; 5.2.2 export names Silver, Gold, Aged, Extra aged, Ultra aged; 6.1.1 35–55 % vol.; 6.1.1.1 abocantes ≤ 1 % of weight; ≤ 75 g/l sugars with additives
- Difford's Guide: Tequila classifications — blanco 0–59 days, joven/oro usually unaged with caramel, reposado from 60 days (term introduced 1968), añejo from one year in casks up to 600 l, extra añejo from three years (introduced March 2006), cristalino (2011), mixto ≥ 51 % agave sugars
- VinePair (25.02.2022): A Guide to the 5 Different Types of Tequila (and Cristalino) — flavour and use of each class; reposado 2–12 months, often ex-American whiskey barrels, pipones up to 10,000 l; añejo 1–3 years, often 200 l ex-bourbon; extra añejo recognised 2006; cristalino not a CRT category
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)