With a deep inhale, there's a sharp peppery lift followed by an earthy minerality, vegetal undertones, and a trace of sweet cooked agave. On the palate, warm mint and pine open up with bursts of peppermint, petrichor, and a touch of dill. There's a subtle, bitter grassiness and a green pepper note, rounded out by light vanilla and sweet, cooked agave. A bold, expressive citrus tone briefly commands attention before quickly fading. The finish lingers with cooked agave’s prune-like depth, a grounding vegetal earthiness, and a mineral-rich, fresh-water quality. A faint pepperiness remains, a bit subtle, and complementary. This was much better than expected.

Nose: Cooked agave hits right away, followed by earthy and mineral notes. There’s a noticeable briny character, along with creamy cashew and a subtle lactic funk that adds a savory twist. Palate & Mouthfeel: Sweet agave shows up first with a strong kick from the high proof, then it opens up fast with fresh chile pepper, grassy brightness, citrus zest, and a touch of honey. The mineral-saline and briny lactic flavors come through clearly and give it a really unique, flavorful edge. The mouthfeel is round and coating. Substantial without being heavy, and it carries the flavors well across the palate. Finish: Clean and bright. Honey, cinnamon, and spicy pepper carry through to the end with just a bit of bitterness. It finishes with clarity and impact - no fade, no fuss. Overall: This one’s a standout. Volans always brings that signature saline funk, and it’s firing on all cylinders here. Punchy, complex, and totally satisfying. I’d pour this anytime.

Just opened the bottle, so I'm letting it sit for a bit. Nice, oily legs in the Glencairn glass. Aromas of cooked agave, minerals, herbal, citrus and alcohol. I guess I didn't let it sit long enough to mellow the 53% abv. Flavors cooked agave, black pepper, alcohol, citrus, vegetal, minerals and herbal. There's a lot going on with this HP Blanco. The spiciness hangs around for the long finish.

Rated Blind

Agave bomb on this still strength. Bright clean nose and crisp palate with loads of sweet cooked agave. Nose: cooked agave, black pepper, citrus, minerals, vegetal, mint, and anise. Palate: the nose translates over to the palate with loads of cooked agave, black pepper and citrus. Along with minerals, vegetal, mint and anise coming on the back end. A fantastic still strength with a buttery mouth feel. The finish is short. Really no burn at all for the 106 proof. Definitely let this one open up before going in.

Nose: Agave for days, sweet. Citrus, minerals. It’s almost like an interplay between those and nothing else. There are other aromas coming up, but that agave and citrusy minerality dominate the show. Palate: Wow, the taste is near identical to the aroma, which magnifies the intensity as I’m drinking and smelling it. Agave bomb, very little heat for the proof. The citrus notes are gorgeous, and this is just so pleasant. A little intense for me because of how much the nose and palate mirror for me, but damn good. Pricey, but good.

Full on El Pandillo profile of agave, minerals, Felipe’s copper stills. This has some citrus notes hiding in the ethanol (!!) and roast agave that make up the bulk of the flavor profile. Nice mid tongue buzz on the finish. This is a serious HP Blanco and deserves your attention in a rapidly growing market segment. Thanks Tequila.diva

Fruit, cooked agave, and a tiny bit of lactic roundness in the aroma. (Let it open up a bit before diving in.) Flavor is a blast of sweet agave. Finish is quite short, though, but the agave lingers and costs the mouth.

• Visual: Clear w/thin clear edge • Initial Nasal Impact: Prickle and warming • Aroma: Floral, jalapeno, white pepper, cinnamon, vanilla • Mouthfeel: Buttery w/sufficient alcohol • Flavor: Cooked agave, black pepper, jalapeno (especially on the retro nasal), mineral, tropical fruit • Finish: Long with tropical fruit and jalapeno lingering throughout

I like this better than the regular Volans, lots of agave, mint very vegetal.

From the moment I popped the cork, I was enamored by the nose. To my surprise dill was at the forefront, followed by sweet agave, citrus, morning dew, flowers, cracked black pepper, and green apple. The tantalizing aroma led to an outstanding palate of ripe green apple, banana, agave, brine, oregano, mint, orange peel, and minerals. This is one of, if not the most herbaceous tequilas I’ve tasted. Black pepper arrived on the back palate for a long tingly finish to an exceptional still strength. El Pandillo once again impresses with yet another sensational offering. Volans Still Strength Blanco showcases the strengths of a great highlands tequila. Salud to Felipe & the Allens!

2023 - Lot 001 Nose: Clean nose. Cooked and raw agave, good heft. The more it opens up, the more fruit I get. Starts off tropical fruit which grows into berry and cherry. Mild citrus, earth, and pepper. Palate: Very nice mouth feel. Solid heft and texture. Clean agave with earth and white pepper. Mild sweetness at the front and mid palate. Finish is spicy and long. Volans is a great brand. My favorite is the repo but this still strength is great.

Lot 001 2023 rested 10 minutes N- agave, ginger, minerals, butter T- Cooked agave, black pepper, brine, and only a touch of alcohol heat MF- thin F- long and spicy

Nose: sweet agave / pepper / citrus / spearmint/ flora / Taste: sweet cooked agave bomb!! / cinnamon/ banana/ pear / green apple / orange/ lime / lemongrass/ spearmint/ cream soda / hint of alcohol Finish: sweet and cinnamon spicy linger throughout an incredibly wet mouthfeel that is clean / like a highly filtered water that’s cool / minty fresh on final swallow that lasts and lasts and lasts… This still strength takes full advantage of the higher abv to provide an enormous sweet agave bomb that blows up your palate only to be held together by spicy cinnamon notes that linger until your next sip. This is a fantastic high proof.

Nice strong aroma of cooked agave with jalapeño, vanilla, cedar, and corn syrup. Flavor, some initial heat up front which subsides into agave, cinnamon, chiles, then warm vanilla, black pepper, a touch of anise then a heated finish.

Nice nose with plenty of cooked agave. I smell citrus and mint. Light alcohol but not overpowering. The mouthfeel is buttery with a perfect viscosity. The taste has plenty of agave with a bit of brine and mint. This will be a still strength that many can enjoy

Bright agave with vegetal notes on nose, it’s a very nice nose. Hint of sweetness right as it hits the lips along with pepper. Super creamy palate with a lingering warm finish. Wow don’t think I’ve tried something this creamy. A very well done Blanco but price hurts it.

Wow. Just had a few samples at a tasting event but was blown away. Loads of flavor without too much punch. Agave, citrus, pepper, minerals… yum.

Buttery mouthfeel, sweet and minty agave, white pepper, anise. Wow, the finish is awesome as it lingers and delivers more flavors! Nice still strength!

Wow!! I blind rated this. The aroma kept getting better for me. When I finally sipped it, I tasted familiarity: mint, agave, cut grass, pepper, and a bit of salinity. Finish was also great. Volans rocks!

Upgraded even higher from my video review to a 93. This is one of the best Blanco High proofs ever made

Nose is sweet agave, alcohol, cut grass. Taste is cooked agave, sweet and heavy pepper Finish is clean with long lasting pepper

Nose: sweet cooked agave, tropical fruit, fresh cut hay, mint, and earthiness Flavor: cooked agave, mint, fresh ripe fruit, raw almonds, earthy, and a nice creamy mouth feel Finish: long with sweet agave and moves to white pepper

Stronggggg, beginning middle and end, power! Great agave/grassy flavor, nose is a bit muted for proof, but agave comes through. On pallet initially is very interesting, agave/pine/brine, fire - but a bit of mouth burn which is surprising/somewhat unpleasant. Plenty of other HP/50-55% that dont have that. But for their first ever SS its a win, but plenty to improve on imho, excited for next Volans release.

Every so often, you get a minerally, vegetal nose that really stops you in your tracks, usually with certain HP or SS blancos (Puntas, Wild Common SS, Cascahuin Plata 48, etc). This is one of those for me. Upon first sip, I knew this was a top 10 HP blanco for me. The pungent floral, wet cement nose, the briney viscosity. This has a vegetal finish and an unbelievable amount of cooked notes all the way through. Fermented WITH and without the agave fibers, which explains quite a bit. I definitely seem to be partial to blends of both. In any case, this is an absolutely exquisite and extrordinary SS!