Jose Cuervo Devil’s Reserve – Tequila’s answer to Fireball whiskey.
I was making my routine stop at the Fort Bliss Class Six to get my Barrel Proof Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel prescription refilled and I saw this Devil’s Reserve being offered as a sample. Alongside one of Cuervo’s better quality Tradicional Reposado. Plus she gave me the shot glass. #winning.
For those that don’t know shit about fuck (to quote Julia Garner) when it comes to tequila, the Tradicional is probably your lowest high quality Cuervo. Just a tad above the Especial Silver that does not claim to be 100% agave. But that’s OK. It serves its purpose and has its following. My real go-to (100% blue agave) tequilas consist of 1800 Silver or Jose Cuervo Tradicional Silver/Plata. They are both excellent for either sipping or making my margaritas. Both are produced at the same place, or Norma Oficial Mexicana (NOM) 1122.
Pro-tip: if you find a tequila you really like, look closely at the label and determine what number the NOM is. Then you can find another brand that might be cheaper that is made at the same place. All bottles of tequila must have the NOM on there.
So then. NOM 1122 is the La Rojeña Distillery. Owned by Jose Cuervo, produces many other brands as well to include 1800, Gran Centenario, and Maestro Dobel (which has a fantastic crystolino that I despise on principle – why the fuck are you going to age something just to filter the age out and make it a silver again and charge twice as much? They can piss right off.)
But I digress. I’m here to tell you about the new Devil’s Reserve. Made with what is most certainly NOT 100% agave, especially since it has pineapple and jalapeno (flavors or the real deal? Who knows?) in the mix.
Regardless, this stuff hits the spot. You start off with that classic tequila flavor, but a hint of sweet, sweet pineapple and a slow afterburn of the jalapeño. Clocking in at 30% alcohol, a full 10% lower than your standard 40%, it’s pretty smooth. Except for the jalapeño.
MSRP off their website has it starting at $21.99 but I’m sure you can find it cheaper elsewhere. Class Six had it today (Friday, September 26, 2025) for $15 plus that spiffy shot glass.
Go ahead and listen to that devil on your shoulder and get you some.