Yes, I’m rating our own barrel — and I get it, that raises eyebrows. But hear me out. This isn’t just a bottle we made — it’s one we almost didn’t. This cask came from a 400L experimental batch we created while dialing in the profile for Exclusivo Vivo. It was never meant to be released. But Lou tasted through the barrels blind and picked this one — one of just two barrels from that original test lot — and honestly, it’s special. Distilled on September 20, 2021 at NOM 1414 using agave from Arandas. We slow-roasted the piñas in a brick oven at lower temperatures for longer than usual, aiming to retain nuanced fruit and floral esters. We used a modified roller mill with less pressure than standard to reduce bitterness from fiber crush. Fermentation was open-air, using live yeast and the Mozart method (yes, we really do play classical music during fermentation — and no, it’s not just marketing). The barrel itself was seasoned — used 4 times prior — which means it didn’t overpower the distillate. We aged it 29 months and bottled it at the exact same proof it entered the barrel: 47.5% ABV. No water, no additives, no blending. Tasting notes (today, for me): • Nose: Cooked agave jumps out first — rich and buttery — with light florals underneath (we distilled during cosmos bloom season and I swear they left a trace). There’s a background of caramelized sugar, faint black tea, and dried orange peel. • Palate: Starts bright — roasted agave, white pepper, and fresh oak. It builds into this soft floral-meets-spice layer, like dried lavender with a dusting of cinnamon. There’s an almond-like roundness mid-palate that comes from the used barrel, not new wood. • Finish: Long and dry, with a pleasant minerality and lingering agave sweetness. Almost a savory snap at the end — that tells me it held up well in the barrel and never got flabby. This is one of those barrels that reminds me why we started Siempre. Nothing here was designed for mass appeal — it’s a full-flavor snapshot of a moment in time, from a barrel we nearly lost to history. Huge thanks to Long Island Lou for giving this one a voice.

This is one of my favorite Añejo’s. I had no idea that you could approve upon VIVO. All of the great attributes of VIVO with a wonderful barrel enhancement wow great pic!

On the nose: explosion of Hot Tamale Candy (sweet cinnamon), cooked agave, vanilla, toasted oak, baking spices, and dried fruit On the tongue: a perfect dance between toffee and cooked agave. It’s silky, almost creamy, notes of pepper, chocolate, tobacco, and plenty of heat from the 47.5% ABV! This SIB from the GOAT Long Island Lou does not disappoint. It’s for sure unique. The bottle is gorgeous, the colors pop on my bar. The juice is complex and packs a punch. I love a super high proof añejo so it’s a win already for me, but this is a delicious 29 month aged añejo! You can taste the Vivo and the barrel which is exactly what I want in an añejo! Cheers!