Herradura Blanco Tequila

This may be my top tequila producer. This apparently new release is what many other producers initially offer. However, the traditional Herradura silver with a light aging is hard to compete with. The genuine excitement is finding a tequila that isn't exactly 80 proof. Even if an extra 6% isn't substantial, I anticipate it will be noticeable on the tongue. The most peculiar aspect is the container itself, with its list of peculiarities: it's missing 50ml, it's possibly the only 700ml liquor vessel I've encountered, and despite the polished design, artwork, embossed glass, and included box, it also features a robust anti-tamper seal, a twist-off cap, and an unattractive neck aerator. The aroma is quite potent with ethanol vapor and a raw cleaning agent, yet there's sufficient agave and a vibrant vegetal foundation to prevent it from being overly unpleasant. Upon closer inspection with repeated smelling, there's a subtle trace of cocoa alongside some floral notes within the dominant overall scent. The taste begins quite sharply, with an almost biting ethanol sensation on the palate, distinct from the typical spice or pepper found in unaged tequila. There are no significant initial flavors aside from intensely strong and harsh raw agave. Although the proof isn't high enough to be apparent without checking the bottle, it makes focusing on any milder notes difficult until it has long since faded. Speaking of which, the conclusion offers very basic echoes of the aroma (cocoa, floral, vegetal), but is too weak overall, resulting in a rather unappealing neat experience. While I don't regret supporting the Herradura range, this is undeniably my least preferred offering from them, by a significant margin. The 45 days the silver version spends in barrels initially seemed unnecessary, but now I understand it provided enough character to differentiate it from what feels like a partially prepared, partially premium, questionable volume of a bottle.