El Buho Especial Arroqueño

Rating: 18/23 Limited knowledge of this brand, but I enjoyed a previous expression from the same agave type, prompting this purchase for comparison. Chosen for a festive occasion. Nose: Complex, with less fruit than anticipated. It has tartness reminiscent of another agave variety, but with added complexity, subdued smoke, and dry earth. Faint hints of roast chicken, and a bit of musty paper. The tartness is present but balanced by other flavors. Based on the aroma, one might guess a blend of two specific agave types. Palate: Lightly smoky with a flavor profile that is both sour and sweet, like one type of agave, followed by the dry earth notes of another. There is significant nuance, though it deviates from the typical profile expected for this agave type. It's still enjoyable, with subtle tropical fruit notes like tangerine, light orange, light apricot, and a trace of grapefruit. Hints of papery, musty vanilla and a prickly white pepper spice. An underlying mature quality provides nice complexity, evoking the expected agave character. A faint hint of roast chicken is also present. I appreciate the flavor profile, but it seems a bit light. It doesn't feel unbalanced, but rather lacking in body. Very subtle hints of chocolate and cinnamon. Curiously, there's a slight impression of barrel influence. Finish: A lingering stony character with limestone notes, some restrained sourness, and dry earth. Faint traces of barrel spices and a richer vanilla than expected. Mild smoke and occasional fleeting fruit notes. Persistent white pepper and a residual mild spicy burn. Conclusion: A very good mezcal, though it doesn't fully meet expectations. It could benefit from more body, which is surprising given its high proof. Preferred over another specific Espadin mezcal due to its greater nuance, although that other mezcal had a fuller flavor and fun tropical fruit notes. This expression is rated at least an 18, possibly higher, but unlikely to reach a 19. Compared to another peated expression, this one has a more pleasant core flavor but less complexity, reinforcing the 18 rating, with potential for a 19. Another understated and nuanced spirit shares similarities in quality, solidifying the 18 rating.