Nose: Agave comes through clean, backed by a light honey note that doesn’t overreach. The yeast sits right behind it - warm, bready, and clearly part of the profile rather than a stray edge. White pepper adds a dry lift, and a vinous streak shows up as green grapes or a lean white wine, giving a quiet brightness - that coupled with the yeast is leaning a little funky. Palate & Mouthfeel: Medium body with a slick feel that shows up faster than expected. Agave stays steady, but the green grape character becomes more defined, adding a fresh, tart curve. Bell pepper pushes forward with real presence, bringing a crisp vegetal tone. The yeast circles back (think honey wheat bread), rounding things out but also steering the profile in a very specific direction. Finish: My friend Christine’s apt use of “pepper fizz” nails it. There’s a near effervescent lift to the pepper and yeast that feels unusual…not quite carbonation, but close enough to make you pay attention. It lingers more in sensation than flavor. Final Thoughts: It’s clearly well made, just not a profile that hits for me. The mix of yeast, bell pepper, and that almost sparkle on the finish takes it somewhere I don’t personally enjoy, even though the craftsmanship shows.

Vessel: Glencairn Nose: Malolactic, Yeast, Honey, Vegetal, Dusty Palate: Pepper, Must, Vegetal Yeast Finish: Vanilla, Pepper, Honey, Cinnamon, Minerality Didn't blow me away but it wasn't bad. I'm glad I got a sample of this because I'm not sure I would buy a bottle of this. That said, it's well made and I wouldn't judge anyone who really loved it. Just not my cup of tea.

I revisited and let it open up. the nose gota little better but the palate was still not for me. joven lote 1 sample from Brad Ruppel Agave Swappers the nose has a briney funkiness thats not my favoirte. the palate is yeasty and funky with a pepper fizz finish. Just not for me.

Nose- green agave, vegetal, minerals, Malolactic funk. Palate- cooked agave, brine, olives, sea salt, vegetal, whiskey barrel notes. Finish cooked agave, briney, pepper. This is outstanding!

50% ABV, first batch from El Cerrito 23

Aroma: strong agave presence in addition to fruit, brine, maybe some light barrel notes Taste: matches the aroma, with a strong peppery kick. The pepper is quite strong and lingers. Also a touch of effervescence. Finish: lingers for quite a while. Overall: it’s a very unique flavor profile. Not something I would drink every day, but you can tell it’s well made and would probably be great in mixed drinks. I was actually kind of surprised how the aroma didn’t match up with the taste and finish. The pepper caught me by surprise.

This overproof Joven hits home, another winner from this brand.