El Bandido Yankee Reposado 750ML

El Bandido Yankee Reposado 750ML is a 100% Blue Weber Agave tequila from Los Altos, Jalisco, bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof) in a 750ml bottle. Awarded 90 points by the Beverage Testing Institute, this additive-free reposado stands apart for its use of stripped and recharred American oak bourbon barrels and the oversight of master distiller Karina Rojo at the historic El Viejito Distillery.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40% (80 Proof)  |  Origin: Los Altos, Jalisco, Mexico  |  Reposado — Aged 4 Months  |  Distillery: El Viejito (NOM 1107)

Production & Heritage

El Viejito Distillery, operating under NOM 1107 in Jalisco, produces El Bandido Yankee under the direction of master distiller Karina Rojo. The agave is harvested from plants grown in the red volcanic clay soil of the Los Altos highlands at elevations exceeding 6,000 feet — conditions that encourage higher sugar concentration in the piñas. The spirit is twice-distilled in small-batch copper pot stills, then rested for four months in American oak bourbon barrels that have been stripped of their original char and recharred, a deliberate step that intensifies the wood's influence on the young tequila while maintaining the agave's natural character. The brand is certified 100% additive-free.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Roasted agave takes the lead, followed by bright citrus and warm cinnamon. Underlying notes of toasted wood and a faint earthiness round out the nose.

Taste: The entry is clean with baked agave sweetness and a citrus brightness that immediately gives way to cinnamon spice at mid-palate. Oak and vanilla emerge as the liquid develops, joined by subtle pepper and herbal tones that keep the profile grounded and savory.

Finish: Medium in length with a warm agave presence that lingers alongside toasted oak and a whisper of cedar. The texture is smooth and refined, gliding through with light herbal and vanilla notes at the close.

How to Drink El Bandido Yankee Reposado

This reposado rewards sipping neat or over a single large ice cube, where the interplay between roasted agave and recharred oak unfolds gradually. Its balanced oak character also makes it highly versatile in cocktails. A Paloma benefits from the cinnamon and citrus aromatics, which amplify the grapefruit soda. In an Oaxacan Old Fashioned riff (substituting for a standard reposado), the toasted oak and pepper spice hold up well against mezcal and bitters. A classic Tequila Sour gains depth from the vanilla and baked agave sweetness that balances the fresh citrus acidity.

Best For

• Introducing a tequila drinker to additive-free, highland-style reposados
• Building a home bar collection focused on craft agave spirits
• Gifting someone who values transparency in tequila production
• Sipping alongside a slow weekend dinner with Mexican or Southwestern cuisine

Frequently Asked Questions

What does El Bandido Yankee Reposado taste like? It leads with roasted agave and citrus brightness, transitions into warm cinnamon and oak at mid-palate, and finishes with toasted wood and vanilla. The profile leans savory, with pepper and herbal undertones balancing the natural agave sweetness.

How does El Bandido Yankee Reposado compare to Espolòn Reposado? Both are 100% Blue Weber Agave reposados bottled at 40% ABV, but El Bandido Yankee uses stripped and recharred bourbon barrels rather than standard used barrels, which tends to produce a more pronounced oak and char influence despite the shorter four-month rest. El Bandido Yankee is also certified additive-free and sourced exclusively from highland agave grown above 6,000 feet.

Is El Bandido Yankee Reposado good for sipping neat? Yes — the balanced oak influence, smooth texture, and layered agave character make it well-suited for neat sipping, especially for drinkers who enjoy a reposado with noticeable but not overpowering wood presence.

Where is El Bandido Yankee Reposado made? It is produced at El Viejito Distillery (NOM 1107) in Jalisco, Mexico, using agave harvested from the Los Altos highlands — a sub-region known for its red volcanic clay soil and high-altitude growing conditions above 6,000 feet.

What foods pair well with El Bandido Yankee Reposado? Carne asada benefits from the smoky oak and pepper notes. Mole dishes complement the cinnamon and earthy agave character. Grilled shrimp tacos with citrus slaw echo the tequila's bright citrus aromatics. Aged Manchego or Oaxacan string cheese pair well with the vanilla and toasted wood. Dark chocolate with a high cacao percentage matches the deeper roasted tones on the finish.

What sizes does El Bandido Yankee Reposado come in? The standard and most widely available size is the 750ml bottle.

Is El Bandido Yankee Reposado worth the price? It positions as a mid-range reposado that punches above its price tier, backed by a 90-point rating from the Beverage Testing Institute and additive-free certification — two markers of quality that many higher-priced competitors in the category do not carry.

Why El Bandido Yankee Reposado?

The stripped-and-recharred barrel technique is the detail that separates this reposado from the crowd. By removing the spent interior of used bourbon barrels and applying fresh char, the distillery creates a more active wood surface that imparts deeper toasted oak and vanilla character in just four months of aging — without burying the agave. A 90-point score from the Beverage Testing Institute and a 90-point score from Tastings.com confirm that the approach delivers results. Add the additive-free certification and the highland terroir of Los Altos clay-grown agave, and this expression makes a credible case as one of the more thoughtfully produced reposados in its price range.