This one isn’t resonating with me. More of a subdued tobala. I love that I get the banana notes (runts) that others have mentioned. Also get some sweet tarts, sugar water, and an overwhelming taste that overall just doesn’t sit well (synthetic, rubber perhaps).
Review #129

Light and buttery…classic espadín. Not overly smoky or harsh in a bad way. A light, sweet fruit finish. Pleasantly surprised on this one. (Didn’t get the lot#)
Review #128

Lot 10, 44.6% ABV.
One of the better raicillas I’ve tasted. Nose is a sweet, along with a balance of what I call the ‘raicilla funkiness’…but not overbearing like I’ve had with past raicillas. I get more fruity notes on the taste – cantaloupe, mint, floral water, some orange peel. Really quite good, and I was lucky to snag a bottle when I was visiting Los Cabos area. Also, I appreciate the almost 45% ABV, vs the 40% earlier versions that some people have been tasting. 4.25 stars.
Review #127

There’s of course a sharp smell and taste that’s customary w/ puntas. Searching between the alcohol forward puntas smell though there is something crisp, sweet, and slightly floral lurking. Peppery, tropical fruity, and overall enjoyable. I can see how some people would be put off by the strong alcohol smell/taste, but I think with some “practice” you can learn to pick out the notes in-between, and once found, those notes seem to be more intensified vs a “normal” mezcal. With that said, not your every day sipper (at least for me) with the 60+ ABV, but very happy to have had this in the Melate box!

Bit on the lighter side for my preference, but I love that the Tep. notes shine through. Get some watermelon along with the more classic tepeztate notes. All around very enjoyable, and this particular bottle got better with some air time! 3.75 stars.

LOTE: VDM-211
Lots of smoke throughout, but agree with others that this is a step up from the normal Vida. The extra % of ABV really does help. I also get some orange peel smell & taste, with a slightly sour finish. I would use this in both a cocktail for extra humph and complexity, and sip in a pinch.
Review #124

Lote: ACR013
Sweet & tangy smell. Reminiscent of other Cuentacuentos bottles. Very fragrant and I love that.
Taste is more subdued – green veggies, but soft and has a watery viscosity to it that makes it appear to be a lower ABV. Closer to a 3.75.
Review #2: Batch ACR052
Great smell with some sweet greeness to it. Very inviting. Taste at first seemed a bit hotter than I’d prefer, but mellowed out nicely. Tropical fruit, with some banana notes and leather. Well rounded, and this batch might be closer to 4 star than the previous one I tried.
Review #123

Edition 5 – 2020 Harvest – 53% ABV
This is one of the current highest rated bottles – so no pressure…. However, I hate to be the lower of averages, but this one isn’t all that. Def. not worth the price tag, so glad I only got a 2oz sample. Unique & intriguing smell. Taste is a bit hot yet subdued. Not overly complex, which is why it stays at a four rating for me. Some notes of fruity pear, candied, chalky. Pleasant aftertaste that burns nicely.
Review #122

Lot 2 (produced in Jan 2000). 41.3% ABV
Funky smell, with some green. Spicy & peppery. Watery viscosity. I surprising can get that ‘chicken ceasar salad’ that Zack mentioned. This taste is super unique to me, and I can’t say I’m a fan of this “raicilla funkiness”. I’ve had some great raicillas that aren’t this potent (and yet lower ABV), and can’t say this will be one I’ll really be excited to try again.
Review #121

Lot 8 from 09/20 batch.
Smoky & stronger than expected. Mandarin & tropical fruits. Overall a bit hot though as I sipped through the 1.5 oz sample. 3.75 stars
Review #120

Didn’t get the lot number on this one. Sweet and not as ‘grassy’ as I except with some of the sotols I’ve had. Bit of a licorice bite with some pleasant caramel.

Edition 8 – 2006
Light & crisp (seems weaker than 48%). Slightly buttery, and not overly complex or standout. Average espadin for an above average brand.
Review #118

2017 Distillation, 47.1% ABV
Clay, strawberry fruit rollup smell. Tase is delicate & not overpowering. Lots of fruit, clay is balanced & smooth & tangy. 4.25
Review #117

S-09-TOB-19
Great sweet, fruity, and tangy smell – definitely get the strawberry shortcake on the nose. Great taste, crispy, and creamy. Little funkiness in there as well, which I attribute to the clay. Solid tobala for sure, but not my favorite it would seem. I do love the strawberry notes though.
Review #116

Doing a side by side with the Ramos’ tequilana, I must say that this comes out on top.
Still has that Ramos “greenness”to it, but this Coyote seems to be more candied and softer than the azul. Earthy with full-mouth complexities and all around deliciousness.

Classic Ramos’ right here. Green, Vibrant, and Earthy. This is what tequila wants to be when it grows up. I’m biased here as the Ramos’ are one of my favorite producers, but this is solid. Refrescadora seems to smooth out everything together as well. 4.25 stars.

Edition 2 from 2019.
Softer than the Madrecuise and not quite as good (although close). I was lucky to sample those two back to back. Creamy and carries the sweet Tobala notes. Light greenness in there too. So far all the Dixeebe line seems to be delicious. 4.25 stars
Edition 3 (US import version)
Strong nose of citrus, and some orange peel. Smokier than the espadin I tried side by side, but better. Still a 4 star mezcal.

This bottle definitely improved with some airtime . . . sweet & fruity smell. Bubblegum, strawberry. Still a tad harsh in the taste, but overall the underlying creaminess and sweetness prevail.

Lote: 26
Green & sharp smell. Little sour on taste with a slight burn. Taste has some candy, fruit, more green – very pleasant. Slight burn though, but overall very enjoyable! And agree with others – if only tequila could taste like this!
Review #111

Sweet w/ a green, peppery spice. Soft & delicate with solid sweetness throughout. A Unique tobala compared to what I’m used to tasting. A 2oz sample, and I didn’t grab the lot number. Very comparable to the tepeztate, and not sure out of the two I’ve tried, which one I prefer.
Review #110.