Bottle: L014H210268, 01:16 PM, 705, 09/09/2021 Appearance: Clear Nose: Cooked and raw agave, brine/salinity, wet and dry earth, petrichor, minerality, subtle smoke, white pepper, olive, vegetal, green pepper, aloe, and citrus…reminiscent of salty sea air Palate: Cooked and raw agave, brine/salinity, olive, butter, white pepper, more apparent smoke, citrus, grapefruit, lemon zest, cinnamon, herbal, spearmint, and anise…mouthwatering Finish: Alcohol, black pepper, cinnamon, and mesquite…thin mouthfeel and short duration Overall: I’ve been waiting a long time to try this and it didn’t disappoint. It’s rather incredible how the salty/peaty character was imparted with such little barrel exposure. Every aroma and flavor feels intentional and integrated. Now, all I have to do is find another bottle.

LO14H210268 05:34PM 2917 09/10/2020 Volcan De Mi Tierra Limited Edition Blanco Smoke. Special because it was given to me by the man himself, Santiago Cortina Gallardo. Aroma of grapefruit citrus, cooked agave, mineral, pepper and a hint of peat. Buttery mouthfeel with generous alcohol. Flavor: Cooked agave, pineapple, licorice, mineral, pepper, herbal and that hint of peat from the Ardbeg barrels compliments nicely. Long finish with all flavor components carrying throughout.

The aroma opens with rich cooked agave and bright orange citrus, accented by a light, perfumed smoke and earthy pepper. Subtle char and soft grassiness, with a gentle sting of ethyl and a touch of whiskey. On the palate, the smoke is restrained and more supportive, allowing bold citrus (pineapple/orange) and sweet agave to lead. Hints of wood, baking spice, anise, and spearmint thread through, touched with salinity that blends well. The barrel influence is noted and noticed. The finish is gentle and lasting, with lingering agave sweetness, spearmint, a touch of salt, and green grassiness. I anticipated more smokiness from this but the lack of it lets the other flavors shine. The Master Blender did well.

I am really impressed with this expression! Their standard blanco is a solid offering, but this manages to subtly elevate itself into the upper range of tequilas that excite me. The brand's website is vague on the details, but from more research, it appears that this blanco was slightly aged in Ardbeg barrels. As an Ardbeg fan, that has me intrigued. The nose, palate, and finish all offer different variations of the same flavors. I get a sweet agave mixed with grapefruit with a hint of mint and wrapped in a blanket of smoke. And in true fashion, the smoke is only evident when you are focusing on the other flavors. Once you focus on the smoke, it quickly dissipates and melts away. A big win for me.