Pasote Tequila Blanco

The aroma of this tequila is captivating. It immediately brought to mind a hot August day, just before a severe thunderstorm arrives. The scent of minerality from the hot earth, grass, and paved surfaces. The sharpening magnetism and welcome break in the humidity as the breeze picks up. I can almost visualize the distant haze over the cornfields dissipating, the darkening skies approaching, and the thunder cracks rumbling louder and louder. An excellent use of rainwater in the distillation process here. A very smooth and inviting nose with wintergreen, vanilla, citrus peel, and slight vegetal notes emerging. The body is smooth and velvety with a little added viscosity but remains very crisp and refreshing. The palate is rich with the aforementioned characteristics but adds a touch of luxurious sweetness with hints of caraway, white pepper, and black olive appearing late. Very approachable for even the newest Blanco tequila drinkers and quite unique and robust for the seasoned connoisseur. A delicious and welcome addition to the Blanco market that truly justifies the modest price.

No color. Upon opening the bottle, it is quite closed and dry. However, that austerity fades after the neck with a bit of time and air. The nose remains somewhat muted with aromas of fresh agave, white pepper, a freshly opened ream of white paper, poblano, tomatillo, cement, lime, ash, red apple, a bit of diesel -- and for lack of a better term, some coca leaves or high-quality cocaine. Admittedly, I have very little experience with hard drugs. Still, I've served this to a couple of friends more knowledgeable than I, and they have agreed that there is a certain South American accent to the nose. But, the star of the show is clearly the palate. Unctuous, oily, and earthy with flavors of dark chocolate, fresh fennel, dried blueberry, kirschwasser, a bit more citrus, grass, celeriac syrup, and cacao nibs. The dry finish is driven by the dark chocolate and cacao earthy notes with a bit of sea salt and hints of peanut and almond. It somewhat resembles some diabetic or hippy candy brittle that's actually beneficial. Superb!

Produced in Pueblo San Julian, Jaliesco, Mexico, NOM 1584; made with 100% blue weber agave, cooked in a stone oven, double distilled, with no additives. Tasted neat, at room temperature. Clear with large, coating legs in the glass. The nose is floral and vegetal, briny yet sweet. A whiff of mineral smoke and lime. Like rain on warm concrete. In the mouth, sweet grass, strong saline and stone minerals, sweet and funky and earthy (perhaps more than smoky). A rich, coating mouthfeel that persists. Only a hint of ethanol. A little dry lime, bluestem grass, and pepper appear in the slow, vegetal finish. It presents a funkier, earthier, and more mineral profile than citrus; the funk clouds a clear agave flavor. I appreciate the mineral component. Great coating mouthfeel and lingering aftertaste. The tall bottle and minimalist labeling are nice (unlike the old sprayed white paint Aztec design shown on the main listing). A pleasant earthy sipping blanco.

It smells fruity (tropical), minty, and sweet, with some earthiness in the background. There's a good amount of spice and enough earthiness to balance the sweetness. Pineapple is present. The earthiness is slightly drying and emphasizes the minerality. It's tasty, but a couple of flavors overpower the others. The fruit doesn't really get a chance to make a significant impact. It's surprisingly not very bitter for an earthy spirit. It's quite interesting, but lacks significant depth and complexity. It's barely sippable on its own. I'm not very impressed, though it would make an excellent mixer.

A fresh, peppery, lightly vanilla-scented nose with prominent vegetal notes. The agave character shines through. The mouthfeel is very smooth and slightly creamy. The initial impression is clean and flavorful, with a white pepper spice on the back of the palate. The finish is medium-long, with vanilla emerging at the very end. A beautifully evocative blanco that's excellent for sipping neat or enhancing your top-shelf Margaritas.

Consumed neat. The nose is rich, featuring agave, minerals, cooked fruits, alongside notes of brine, vegetal characteristics, black pepper, and citrus. The palate is sweet, with fruity agave, brine, pepper, citrus, stone fruits, and hints of herbs and vegetation. The finish is lengthy, sweet, and balanced with tartness, citrus pith, and pepper. An outstanding blanco. It's rich with agave and fruit, balanced with complex yet subtle flavors that reveal themselves during a leisurely tasting session.