Desert Door Texas Sotol Oak Aged

Rating: 14/23. Nose: Surprisingly dark, almost like a bourbon. Huh, this is very different from the unaged version's smell, and not what I expected. First, tons of turmeric, but still somewhat sweet. Very dusty, with some vanilla. It opens up to a mellower tobacco (not stale like the unaged version). Then, something bourbon-like with cinnamon and creaminess emerges. I even get a hint of fruit, maybe apples and bananas, if I really search. It's a unique and interesting nose, but less challenging than the unaged version, which I actually prefer. Palate: Again, the palate is lighter with more mineral and harshness than the nose, unfortunately. Quite thin. There's a lot happening, and it comes together better than the unaged version. Immediately, I'm not so impressed as the harsh spiciness hits. It has some bitter wood that definitely tastes like chips left in the spirit too long, but there are also some interesting spices: turmeric, vanilla, a bit of cinnamon, and maybe a dash of nutmeg. There's a weird sweetness to the spices, sort of like the one that really threw me off in another spirit. Eventually, the fruits do open up. I get some vegetable notes, but more dry and herbal, not rotten. I certainly get banana, and apple too. There's even a faint hint of chocolate. I can't say I love most of this palate, but it mellows out as it goes on and surprisingly becomes richer and more interesting. Finish: This might be the best part. The richness of the sweet spices, vanilla, and a bit of fruit lingers. Wafts of turmeric come through but aren't overwhelming. There's some tobacco here and it becomes somewhat stale late in the finish, but maybe that's fitting? I'm not sure how much this benefits from the higher proof compared to the unaged version. It's richer at times but not fuller and still pretty thin on the palate. The complexity is solid though, with an interesting profile that I generally like well enough and flavors that actually work together. The unaged version is more complex, but not in a good way. This really benefits from that Texas bourbon character - very fitting! I think the higher proof must compensate for some loss in impact from aging, as I couldn't tell this was higher proof than the unaged version (bottled at 40%). Both could use a higher bottling proof. I'm looking in the 12 to 15 range for this one, with 12 and 15 both being unlikely. I'm going with 14 because of the nice complexity and interesting flavor. I might buy this if the price is right. If only it were less harsh and thin.

An impactful Sotol from Desert Door distillery in Driftwood, Texas, crafted from Dasylirion Texanum, or green desert spoon. The plants are cooked in a large custom steamer, then machine-shredded and fermented in stainless steel tanks for 5 days with a proprietary organic yeast. The resulting mash is distilled in their custom-built still. The spirit is then matured in oak barrels before being adjusted to 50% ABV with purified water and bottled. It begins with herbaceous and spicy notes; a creamy body follows, offering hints of agave, grass, lime, pink peppercorn, sage, subtle oak, vanilla, thyme, hyssop, and earth, concluding with a robust finish dominated by pepper. September / October 2022

Tried it straight by the pool with a friend. The legs it leaves on the glass are beautiful. On the nose, I get spice with hints of vanilla, strong cedar, mint caramel, lime, and Himalayan salt. The first sip is hot initially, then calms down. I taste wood, mint, vanilla, and toast. Smelling the empty glass, I get flowers, oak, and strong vanilla.

Rich, dry, smoky, and grassy. It's not bitter or harsh. I can't imagine a spirit that better captures the essence of The Desert, making the branding quite fitting. The oak aging seems to perfectly balance and sweeten it. This is my first experience with sotol, so I lack a point of reference, but I find it very captivating.

A delightful scent of caramel, vanilla, black pepper, peppery sotol, grape, mint, lemon, saltiness, grass, and a heavy touch of cedar. The taste is woody and spicy, featuring cedar, pepper, caramel apple, cinnamon, and a whisper of chocolate. A slight peppery sensation lingers in the finish. Absolutely fragrant and intricate. Wonderful.

A distinct blend of flavors where the caramel sweetness isn't the dominant note. Instead, it has a pine needle/tea character that changes the perception of herbal notes while still including sweetness.