Bottle: AMM’s First Blind Tasting of 2026, Bottle #1 Appearance: Clear Nose: Cooked agave, citrus, tangerine, oroblanco grapefruit, herbal, mint, spearmint, eucalyptus, minerality, wet cement, wet earth, vegetal, wet grass, brine/salinity, butter, toasted bread, and alcohol…sweet and herbal, with just a touch of heat Palate: Cooked and raw agave, cinnamon, fruity, banana, toasted bread, butter, black pepper, almond, herbal, spearmint, eucalyptus, camphor, citrus, vegetal, wet and cut grass, and alcohol…still herbal, but a bit more savory Finish: Cinnamon, camphor, citrus, and black pepper…medium to long duration with a lavishly rich mouthfeel My blind score: 90 Panelist average blind score: 89.125 Difference: +0.875 Overall: Sake yeasts (eg Kyokai strains of S. cerevisiae) differ from other beer/wine yeasts in that they have been bred to generate high levels of fruity esters while fermenting at relatively cool temperatures and high alcohol concentrations. These fruity esters are typically reminiscent of banana, green apple, pear, pineapple, and lychee. Other fermentation compounds produced by sake yeasts are known to impart floral, sweet/confectionary, and savory elements, with spice notes being subtle and fermentation character minimized. I say all of this mostly to say…when I look back at my blind tasting notes, and considering the novel application of sake yeast to agave fermentation like there is here, I feel fairly validated that I’m not hallucinating and that I’m actually smelling and tasting the things I think I’m smelling and tasting. This was my favorite of the blind group.

Aroma is very unusual on this one in a good way. Very earthy and mesquite. Not Smokey but reminds me of a bbq. Kind of reminds me of the bark on a really good piece of meat. There’s a Smokey element but also a sweet glaze element. Really interested by this one. Green vegetal as well and a hint of agave. Flavor is less complex than the aroma. Green vegetal comes through. There’s a soft sweetness like yam. Not the most complex flavor considering how different the aroma was but good. Finish is short but there’s a medium viscosity which is nice.

Blind tasting with AMM: This was a really enjoyable blanco with a classic, well balanced profile that stayed true from nose to palate. On the nose, cooked agave leads the way, followed by bright citrus and a vegetal backbone. Black pepper adds a bit of lift, while earthy notes round it out and give it a grounded, natural feel. On the palate, the nose translates almost directly. Cooked agave remains front and center, supported by citrus and black pepper. Vegetal and earthy notes carry through, with a touch of minerality adding some structure and depth. The finish is where this one really stands out nice and lingering with a viscous, oily mouthfeel that coats the palate and keeps the flavors hanging on. Overall, a solid blanco with good balance and a satisfying texture that makes it easy to sip and enjoy.

Aroma and flavors are pretty well matched agave, green veg, and minerals. Nice minty green finish.

Aroma is very crisp with good amounts of citrus, cinnamon, and a hint of oak and a floral element. Flavor is very similar to the aroma with bright citrus, barrel spice like cinnamon, some cardamom, and of course oak. There’s also a little bit of a honey sweetness. This wasn’t overly complex but it was a very enjoyable pour and I think would be great as an introduction to tequila.

Blind tasting with AMM: Lovely aroma with sweet agave, fruit, and celery. Flavors are fairly simple delivering sweet agave and pepper and a slight vegetal undertone. It’s watery in the mouth but leaves a nice peppery finish. Easy to recommend.

A nose that jumps out to meet you. Vanilla bean, florals(gardina, wildflower), anise, petrichor, zesty lime peel, orange and fresh green pepper. The palate follows the nose, although it is slightly clipped on the finish. A rush of brine on first arrival as well as green olives, minerality, anise, lime, orange peel and flower garden. The nose is my favorite part of this blanco, it completely envelops you. It’s fresh, zesty and full of character. The palate is also nice with brine, minerality and some green olives coming into the fold. The finish is good, but doesn’t quite reach the level found on the nose and palate.

• Visual: Good viscosity. Clear with clear medium edge. • Initial Nasal Impact: Warming. • Aroma: Herbal, green agave, white pepper, anise, jalapeño, lemon zest. • Mouthfeel: Oily w/ sufficient alcohol. • Flavor: Mezcal - like, BBQ sauce, smoke, anise, citrus - lemon zest, dried tropical fruit. • Finish: Med/long with the smoke , BBQ sauce, anise still there. Mild lemon zest.

There’s a ton of black pepper on the aroma here, it dominates completely. Flavor shows cooked agave, peppermint, grass, a little olive, with a thick mouthfeel. Not overly complex, but a solid sipper.