Lote 18 (Reminds me of El Tesoro Reposado) The aroma opens with oak at the forefront, quickly followed by a surge of petrichor that sets an earthy, grounded tone. Black cherry and fig emerge alongside clear whiskey and bourbon cues, softened by maple and honey. A faint ethanol singe adds a light prickle to the nostrils, while warm nuttiness (pecan, almond, and walnut), rounds out the profile. A touch of orange citrus lifts the heavier notes and keeps the nose composed. On the palate, oak and whiskey character lead, reinforced by barrel spice and layered wood. Cooked agave shows a warm, sweet–potato–like sweetness, complemented by cinnamon, maple, dates, and fleeting honey. A faint floral note, a familiar yet unfamiliar aged-fruit character (plum, perhaps), and a subtle, musty, toasted-hazelnut note give the mid-palate a slightly rustic character. The finish fades slowly, carrying barrel spice, citrus (lemon and orange), trace salinity, and pepper. Cooked agave lingers beneath it all, closely followed by a soft, enduring bourbon-whiskey impression.

On the first pour, the aroma presents with a potent, clearly defined cooked agave note, with a prune-like depth, intertwined with rich petrichor. The anticipated ethyl sting is notably restrained, allowing lemon citrus and fresh grassiness to come forward. Anise and mint add lift, while petrichor and agave remain the dominant tone, with a faint touch of brine. The palate opens with an immediate rush of agave, wrapped in waves of green and black pepper. Lemon, lime, and orange citrus balance with the elevated proof, while brief flashes of floral character evoke a well-made gin with a juniper-like taste. A grassiness is present but more tempered than in the 40-proof expression, allowing the agave’s earthy sweetness to stay consistent. The finish is unexpectedly citrus-forward, carrying a lingering cooked agave note as the ethyl gradually recedes. Anise and mint linger softly.

The aroma opens with a vibrant burst of pineapple and green apple, balanced by cooked agave, spicy ethyl, and orange citrus. Subtle nuttiness adds warmth to the otherwise fruit-forward profile On the palate, the fruit intensity continues, with ripe pineapple and tart green apple intertwining with citrus and grassy freshness. Cooked agave anchors the brightness, joined by hints of anise, wintergreen, and minerality. Light salinity complements notes of whiskey, soft cacao, and gentle oak, creating depth without heaviness. The finish is refined and airy, with fading brine, oak, and grassiness, while a faint wisp of ethyl lingers delicately on the tongue. Clean, tropical, and vibrant.

The greeting aroma opens with crisp green apple and cooked agave, supported by light wood and a faint whiskey nuance. Subtle dill and a touch of banana add complexity, while a noticeable ethyl sting sharpens the invitation. On the palate, cooked agave leads, joined by honey and butterscotch sweetness, before giving way to a bitter wood tone. Faint whiskey notes return, along with pepperiness, mint, pear, and cinnamon. Waves of ethyl move across the palate, accentuating a bright lemon citrus tang and adding heat to the mid-palate. The finish lingers with clinging agave sweetness, followed by a drying bitterness and a slight palate singe from the ethyl.

The aroma opens with cooked agave layered over a damp, earthy petrichor, followed by fresh grass and a green vegetal note reminiscent of green pepper. Orange zest adds a bright, aromatic lift that sharpens the profile. On the palate, lemon and lime citrus arrive first, crisp and immediate, before yielding to cooked agave and a steady thread of petrichor. Fleeting whispers of ethyl drift through without disrupting the flow, while a faint floral note emerges alongside quick, gripping pepperiness that fades almost as fast as it appears. Subtle green olive and cooling mint round out the mid-palate, adding savory depth and freshness. The finish leaves cooked agave clinging to the tongue, joined by lingering grassiness, pronounced petrichor, light brine, and a soft jasmine note that carries through the close. Easier to drink than I imagined.

Finally got around to trying this legendary bottling. Much & more has been said about Tapatio Excelencia over the years. Does it live up to the hype? For me, yes and no. This is a good spirit, no doubt. An exceptional nose with hints of leather, dark fruits, caramels, vanilla, cinnamon, & even some tobacco notes. The palate is pleasant with cooked agave, stewed apples, plums, apricot, dates, minerality & pepper. The finish was decent with the pepper and leather taking over. Unfortunately the finish feels a bit clipped, and isn’t as interesting as the nose/palate. I enjoyed this, but I wouldn’t consider it particularly unique. I’ve had similar experiences with extra anejo’s I can more readily find. Also, I wish this was bottled at a higher strength. The finish suffered for me because of the lower bottling strength. 40% just isn’t cutting it for me these days, especially when Cascahuin & La Tequileña are bumping up the ABV’s in many of their aged bottlings. With the lack of supply & the creeping prices I could think of other options I’d rather reach for.