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Nose: Cooked agave, wrapped in a gentle saline edge that makes the minerality feel alive. Citrus lifts the profile - more zest than juice - and the black pepper folds in with an easy sharpness. Altogether it has this fresh meadow quality, a kind of green, open air note. Palate & Mouthfeel: The mouthfeel stays light and a touch watery, but the flavors don’t thin out. Sweet agave lands right away, chased by a firm line of black pepper. Lime and grapefruit keep things bright, sliding into a grassy note that leans fresh rather than bitter. A soft butter tone rounds things off and keeps things from feeling too sharp. Finish: Black pepper hangs on, joined by grapefruit pith that brings a bright, tart edge with just enough bitterness to stay interesting. The flavors keep flickering long after the sip ends, leaving a light tingling that feels lively. Final Thoughts: A budget heavyweight that punches above expectation- light in body but far from hollow. Easy to enjoy neat, relaxed on a cube, or folded into a cocktail without losing its character.
House of Rare
Karin’s birthday Tequila! Our first taste of this one. I’m saying that so I remember to come back and revisit my notes and score. This one is complex interesting and a bit of a wild ride. First taste was powerful and smoky. The aroma jumps out immediately with smoky agave, some light sweetness, and a perceptible wet cement It’s not the typical Cascahuin profile—it’s way richer. This Tequila coats mouth like none other! The mouth feel is thick and oily. The initial burst of smoke is immediately followed by cement and super sweet agave. There is some light bitterness on the finish and a burst of pepper. At 49% this is where the warmth comes in for me. This is for Destino 2 (cement fermentation). Points low for value. Thanks to Bob F for the bottle!
Nose: Right off the bat, there’s that unmistakable cooked agave. Caramel and vanilla follow with a soft sweetness, and if you lean in, you’ll catch some delicate white flowers in the background. A little black pepper and a pop of citrus keep it bright. Palate & Mouthfeel: It’s light and smooth on the tongue, but it doesn’t waste time - agave hits first, then black pepper shows up right on its heels. There’s a subtle oakiness underneath, with caramel and vanilla adding some warmth. Hints of orange and fresh cut grass bring a fresh, almost springlike edge. Finish: The finish is warm and lingers nicely. You get that cooked agave again, paired with soft oak notes, and just a touch of background cinnamon spice to round it out. Final Thoughts: Clean, flavorful, and easy to enjoy, this reposado stands out. It’s got character without being overdone, and it really lets the agave shine. A solid sipper that feels a little bit special.
Cascahuin repo NTTC sib 43 abv, aged 6 mos in french oak Darker in color than OTT sib Nose: caramel, vanilla, maple syrup and tropical fruit (bananas?) Palate: sweet barrel spices and an earthy flavor and unami Finish: dry
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Nose: Vanilla rises first, soft and warm, followed by a clean line of orange zest and a lift of honeysuckle that gives it a bright, almost sunny edge. Caramel settles in underneath, grounding everything, while the agave stays present enough to keep the profile centered. Palate & Mouthfeel: Light and watery on entry, the agave shows up quickly. Tropical fruit flickers in and out, backed by a touch of vanilla and a gentle run of oak. Orange citrus adds some welcome brightness, and a dusting of black pepper brings a bit of shape to an otherwise easygoing profile. It’s lively up front, though it softens sooner than expected. Finish: A slight oak bitterness shows up early, but the overall exit stays clean. The flavors don’t push far, fading with a quick, tidy dropoff. Final Thoughts: A mid-budget reposado with a gorgeous nose and a palate that opens with promise. The midsection and finish don’t quite keep pace for me, but the overall experience remains pleasant. Very nice for what it is, especially if you enjoy a bright, inviting start.