Powered by 100% agave

Clande Sotol (Red)

Clande Sotol (Red) was distilled by Don Eduardo Arrieta in Chorreras, Chihuahua using wild Dasylirion Leiophyllum. The batches are extremely small, for example an April 2016 batch was only 99 liters.

Rating: (6 reviews)
Brand:Clande Sotol
Sotolero:Eduardo Arrieta
Dasylirion:Leiophyllum
Grind:Hand
Distillation:Copper
Style:Joven
State:Chihuahua
ABV: 48.6%
Batch size: 99 liters (April 2016)
Website: http://www.sotolclande.com/, opens in new window

About this mezcal

This authentic small batch Sotol was distilled by Don Eduardo Arrieta in Chorreras, Chihuahua. Using wild Dasylirion Leiophyllum, Don Eduardo roasts the sotol plants in conical pits and then grinds by axe. Next, the sotol is fermented with wild yeast and distilled in copper stills. The batches are extremely small, for example an April 2016 batch was only 99 liters.

Clande Sotol

Clande Sotol is a brand that celebrates the art and tradition of craft spirits in Chihuahua. Clandestine distilleries used to be found in Northern Mexico and were known as “vinatas.” These facilities were used to produced both Sotol (from Dasylirion) and Lechuguilla (from Agave). Vinatas were prohibited in the early 1900s and Maestro Sotoleros were persecuted and sometimes incarcerated. Sotol Clande represents sotol from different regions and delivers the impact of terroir on this beautiful spirit. The project seeks to support small local producers and improve their standard of living, as well as protect the future of the Dasylirion plant. The ABV will vary by batch. Check your bottle for details.

The labels on their bottles are color coded. The YELLOW label is sotol made by Bienvenido Fernandez. The RED label is sotol made by Don Eduardo Arrieta. The PURPLE label is sotol made by Lupe Lopez. The GREEN label could be made by either Bienvenido Fernandez or Lupe Lopez, and it is an Ensamble that combines sotol and agave, which are cooked, milled, and distilled together. The BLUE label could be made by Bienvenido Fernandez, Lupe Lopez, or Tavi Torres, and it is made with 100% agave.

Member rating

4.08 out of 5

6 reviews

Tyler

Tyler

636 reviews
Rated 4 out of 5 stars1 year ago

In honor of the Lenny Kravitz takeover I’m cracking my old-ish bottle of Don Lalo’s Sotol. Currently wearing sunglasses while writing this review – it is no longer the mid-90s but I guess this is still really cool (especially standing near a bottle of sotol).

Well dang, the juice.. this is some wild stuff. I remember tasting the “red” back in the ‘ol Clande days and had mixed feelings. This is a left turn from Agavetown. There is wet mulch, tart berries, parsley, anise, and al dente green beans. Overall a vegetal and terroir driven Sotol which will never see the likes of day again!.. since it is now being watered down to 43%. Times they are a ching changin’ ($$$) — never thought it would happen this quick to a Sotol producer like this one. Try this or Don Lalo’s Sotoleros bottles if you see them! There are other sotols I like more than this one but you cannot deny the unique and complex sabores de la naturaleza de Chihuahua in this spirit.

Batch: March 2019, 50.3% ABV, Lot 4, 97 liters, glass rested.

In honor of the Lenny Kravitz takeover I’m cracking my old-ish bottle of Don Lalo’s Sotol. Currently wearing sunglasses while writing this review – it is no longer the mid-90s but I guess this is still really cool (especially standing near a bottle of sotol).
Well dang, the juice.. this is some wild stuff. I remember tasting the “red” back in the ‘ol Clande days and had mixed feelings. This is a left turn from Agavetown. There is wet mulch, tart berries, parsl

Read more
meserole

meserole

73 reviews
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars3 years ago

I had purchased this in June 2020 at Old Town Tequila in San Diego for $96, having recently tried the absolutely stunning yellow label (first at Mezcalogia in Oaxaca, then by the bottle from Old Town Tequila)… unfortunately this was super hot, like licorice and anise and red hot candies, without any counterpoint, and I wasn’t able to enjoy it.

Cwschaal

Cwschaal

4 reviews
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars5 years ago

Very surprised to see the disparaging reviews of the this here.
It comes in hot but is incredibly complex with flavors of white chocolate, wet clay, baking spices, and carmelized sugar. Very long finish that evolves and keeps going. Beautiful product, I heard recently that they found dinosaur bones on Eduardo’s palenque so hopefully that doesn’t put him out of production for a while.

Rakhal

Rakhal

421 reviews
Rated 5 out of 5 stars5 years ago

Lot 2. Very one note. ANISE!! I tried my hardest to discern any other flavors but all I got was anise. The Pernod of Sotols. 2.5 stars.

Lot 2. March 2019. Lupe Lopez. I wish that I had written down the year and the producer for that last one I tasted! This one is completely different! It’s in the red bottle but is 100% agave Angustifolia Haw, the batch is only 38 Liters. This is remarkable! It’s like drinking the desert! All earth and minerals. I didn’t get anything else, no fruits, no herbs, no flowers or spices. Just pure desert. I absolutely love this! 5 stars.

Lot 1, December 2018, Lupe Lopez. Angustifolia Haw. Smells like cucumber yogurt raita. A citrus bomb!! Tangerines, oranges, satsumas, bbq sauce, bbq pineapple, and cotton candy. 4 stars

Lot 2. Very one note. ANISE!! I tried my hardest to discern any other flavors but all I got was anise. The Pernod of Sotols. 2.5 stars.
Lot 2. March 2019. Lupe Lopez. I wish that I had written down the year and the producer for that last one I tasted! This one is completely different! It’s in the red bottle but is 100% agave Angustifolia Haw, the batch is only 38 Liters. This is remarkable! It’s like drinking the desert! All earth and minerals. I didn’t get anything else, no fruits, no h

Read more
GreenspointTexas

GreenspointTexas

385 reviews
Rated 4 out of 5 stars5 years ago

Not gettin the love. Different sotol to be sure, but pretty one note and a slightly harsh finish. Pleasant but not incredible

Jonny

Jonny

700 reviews
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars5 years ago

Jan 2017. 53.4%. Lot 2. Bottle 20. Strong sweet aromas! More hints of spearmint, cilantro, and lemon on the nose. Smells awesome! A bit numbing on the palate with notes of perfume, spearmint, cane sugar, flan, grape skittles, and cleaning supplies. This is awesome! This and the yellow CLande are my favorite of the Clande line so far.

Review this bottle

Login or create an account to add your tasting notes

Back to top