Volans Blanco Tequila

Rating: 16/23 Nose: Sweet, mineral, light. Not much agave detected, though a bit of sweetness from it is present. Some nice white pepper stands out, along with a light touch of tobacco smoke. Perhaps the faintest hint of roast pork. Palate: Sweet, minerals, light agave, grass, white pepper. Some other herbal notes are here. A little vanilla, which is unexpected for a blanco. The grass and minerality have some interesting depth I didn't anticipate. A bit of subtle cinnamon. Faint tropical fruits (lime and pineapple). A little dry earth that turns into turmeric. Finish: Clean paper, minerals, faint agave sweetness, a touch of white pepper, occasional hints of tropical fruits, and some faint, indistinct herbaceousness. - Conclusion - I'm surprised by how much this emphasizes mineral, grass, and spice flavors. It's a clean profile but lacks the boldness I typically seek in a blanco tequila. However, it certainly doesn't have the flaws of Cazadorez Reposado. When tasted side-by-side, the Cazadores tastes bitter and artificial, almost causing me to gag. This manages to have a milder profile somehow, but it's cleaner, more balanced, and has more nuance. I wouldn't say this reaches the level of 7 Leguas Blanco, though. Don Julio Blanco seems to be closer in quality to this. I wouldn't rate it below a 13, but I don't see how it could reach a 16. Actually, I'm starting to really like it. I wouldn't go below a 14 anymore. There's some nice complexity and balance. It's still not blowing me away by any means, but this is better than I initially gave it credit for. Actually, this might even be a 16. I think I'll settle on a 15 for now. Actually, this compares quite favorably to Partida Añejo (15/23). Of the two, I think this is better. I might upgrade it to a 16. Okay, this has really grown on me, so I'm raising my rating to a 16. This is in a close competition with 7 Leguas Blanco, but isn't quite as good as Fortaleza Blanco Still Strength. Thanks for the sample, a friend!

Nose: Earthy cooked agave, sweet grass, black pepper, vanilla cream, caramelized vegetal notes, sautéed bell pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, lime, squash, stewed apple, floral notes, briny minerality, and a mild ethanol burn. Taste: Juicy sweet cooked agave, toffee, vanilla, tropical fruit, cinnamon, powdered sugar, nutmeg, clove, black and chili pepper, earthy vegetal notes, prominent minerality, salted caramel, and a mild alcohol bite. The medium-long finish features lingering juicy agave, peppery notes, salted caramel, and background spice. This is exceptional. It possesses more depth, balance, and complexity than any Blanco I've previously tried. It delivers a juicy, mouth-watering explosion of flavor.

Served neat. The aroma is vibrant and intricate. Notes of agave, fresh herbs, citrus, a touch of black pepper, salinity, and anise. The taste is delightful. Sweet, fruity agave, herbal notes, citrus, slight pepper, and even a hint of cinnamon. The finish is pleasing and balanced with sweet and subtly bitter herbs. A tequila that is a masterpiece.

The agave is prominent, and the finish is clean and smooth. As a fan of Blanco Tequila, this ranks among my top five. It's excellent value for the cost.

Agave and ash on the nose. The taste brings out agave sweetness. It has a bit of viscosity. Slightly bitter. Very similar to its sibling bottle from G4.