Agave Notes publishes independent tequila reviews, ratings, tasting notes, and related editorial content. This policy explains how tequilas are evaluated, how products are obtained, and how Agave Notes handles potential financial or commercial relationships.
1. Reviews Reflect Personal Opinion
Every review and rating published on Agave Notes reflects my personal opinion and tasting experience.
Tequila preferences are subjective. A flavor, aroma, level of sweetness, alcohol presence, or finish that I enjoy may not appeal to another person, and the reverse is equally true.
The purpose of each review is not to declare that a tequila is objectively good or bad. It is to explain what I experienced, what I liked or disliked, and how strongly I would personally recommend it.
2. Rating Scale
Agave Notes uses a rating scale from 0 to 4, scored in increments of 0.5.
The overall score is based primarily on:
Taste
Finish
Aroma
Taste has the greatest influence on the final rating, followed by finish and then aroma.
The score reflects my overall enjoyment of the tequila rather than a mathematical average of separate category scores. Factors such as balance, harshness, sweetness, complexity, alcohol presence, and how well the flavors work together may also influence the final result.
The scale generally represents the following:
0: Strongly disliked
0.5: Very poor
1: Poor
1.5: Below average
2: Average
2.5: Good
3: Very good
3.5: Excellent
4: Exceptional
A rating should be understood as my personal assessment at the time of tasting, not as a guarantee that every reader will have the same experience.
3. Aroma, Taste, and Finish Profiles
Each review may identify specific characteristics experienced in the tequila’s:
Aroma
Taste
Finish
Individual flavors or characteristics are assigned an intensity rating from 1 to 4:
1: Subtle
2: Noticeable
3: Strong
4: Dominant
These intensity ratings describe how prominently I experienced a characteristic. They do not indicate whether the characteristic was good or bad.
For example, a strong vanilla flavor may be enjoyable in one tequila and overly dominant in another.
Flavor identification is inherently subjective and may be influenced by the serving method, glassware, temperature, food, environment, and the condition of the bottle.
4. How Tequilas Are Obtained
Unless a review clearly states otherwise, tequilas reviewed on Agave Notes were purchased by me using my own money.
Most reviews will be based on tequila purchased by the bottle. In some cases, a review may be based on tequila purchased by the glass at a bar, restaurant, tasting room, or event.
When a review is not based on a personally purchased bottle, the circumstances will be disclosed within the review.
Agave Notes does not currently accept complimentary bottles or samples from tequila producers, distributors, retailers, public-relations firms, or other commercial parties.
Should that policy change, any complimentary product or material benefit will be clearly disclosed within the applicable review.
5. Independence From Brands and Retailers
Agave Notes does not currently work with tequila brands, producers, distributors, or retailers in connection with its reviews.
Brands do not preview, approve, revise, or influence reviews before publication.
No producer, retailer, advertiser, or other outside party may alter a rating, tasting note, conclusion, or recommendation.
Factual corrections are welcome. If a producer or other party identifies an objective error, such as an incorrect distillery, alcohol percentage, production detail, or bottle designation, the information may be reviewed and corrected.
A factual correction will not result in a rating being changed merely because a brand disagrees with the opinion expressed.
6. Compensation and Advertising
Agave Notes does not accept payment in exchange for favorable reviews, ratings, recommendations, or editorial coverage.
Compensation will never determine or alter a score.
Agave Notes may eventually display advertising or enter into other commercial arrangements. Any such relationship will remain separate from the review process.
Advertisers will not receive:
Guaranteed positive coverage
Advance approval of reviews
The ability to change ratings
Preferential treatment within reviews
The removal of criticism as a condition of advertising
Advertising relationships, if introduced, will be identified where appropriate.
7. Affiliate Links
Agave Notes does not currently use affiliate links or earn commissions from product links.
If affiliate links are added in the future, they will be clearly identified. Agave Notes may receive a commission when a reader makes a purchase through such a link, at no additional cost to the reader.
The existence of an affiliate relationship will not affect a rating, recommendation, or review conclusion.
8. Review Dates and Bottle Information
Every review will include the date of the rating or tasting.
When reasonably available, a review may also include identifying information such as:
Batch or lot information
Bottle date
Production date
Nom number
Alcohol content
Bottle size
Purchase location
Purchase format, such as bottle or glass
Tequila can vary between batches, bottles, production periods, and markets. A review reflects the specific tequila tasted on the date shown.
A review should not be interpreted as a permanent assessment of every past or future release sold under the same product name.
9. Retasting and Rating Changes
A tequila may be reviewed or tasted more than once.
A score may be updated if:
The tequila is retasted
A different batch is evaluated
The product formulation changes
Additional experience changes my assessment
An earlier review contained a significant error
When practical, meaningful score changes will be identified or explained.
A revised rating does not mean the earlier rating was dishonest. It means the review reflects a different tasting experience or a later assessment.
10. Serving Conditions
Unless stated otherwise, reviews are generally based on tequila tasted neat.
Serving conditions may vary, and factors such as temperature, glassware, resting time, food, previous drinks, and the environment may affect the experience.
A tequila reviewed as part of a cocktail may be discussed separately from its performance when consumed neat.
11. Editorial Integrity
Agave Notes is committed to publishing honest opinions, including when a tequila is disappointing, unusually sweet, overly harsh, unbalanced, or simply not aligned with my preferences.
Reviews will not be deliberately altered to please producers, advertisers, retailers, readers, or other reviewers.
At the same time, criticism will be directed toward the product and the tasting experience rather than toward individuals.
12. Standard Disclosure
Unless otherwise stated within a review:
The tequila reviewed was purchased by me. The rating reflects my personal opinion and was not influenced by any producer, retailer, advertiser, or other outside party.
13. Questions and Corrections
Questions about this policy or requests to review a potential factual correction may be sent to:
Agave Notes
Email: contact@agavenotes.com
Location: Oregon, United States
Effective date: July 24, 2025