Batch EVE-SIE-002. The aromas are a mix of berries and cream. Notes of blueberries, red raspberries, and strawberry cheesecake. The palate has notes of fried patacones, mustard seeds, BBQ sauce spices, Worcestershire sauce, and hard shaved cheeses. There’s also this funky, rootsy, earthy element of clay and wet leaves. This is a really solid release from a producer and town that don’t get much attention. Really enjoying this!

Batch HEL-ESB-001. This is a really solid Espadin. I like it a lot. Aromas of vanilla ice cream, Tang, orange grapefruit juice, apple cider, and linseed oil. The palate has notes of anise, burnt sage, and charred oregano. Additional elements of tropical fruit on the palate, including kiwi, guava, and papaya. This is highly enjoyable and seems like something that a lot of different palates would enjoy.

Batch 01-00488. Aromas of green apples, cinnamon, brown sugar, and walnuts. This is like a warm cut of apple crisp. The palate is notably darker, with a bit of the cinnamon and brown sugar on the finish. The palate is most pronounced with notes molasses, cooked butter, and pork fat. The mouthfeel is sticky and and full.

Batch 01-00463. Slightly sour aromas of overripe green apples, cottage cheese, and sour cream. There are additional aromas of coconut, mixed berries, and bubblegum. The palate has a continued note of bubblegum, mixing with strawberry, orange, and pomegranate. Beneath the fruitiness, there is this thick funky lactic element, like a berry Creme Saver hard candy. This is not at all what I would expect from a maguey Cuishe, but it is pleasant and something I could see myself sipping again.

Lot 012-E. This mezcal has aromas of grape Pop Rocks, sour Warheads, lemon zest, and sweet cream. The palate has notes of fresh cherries, jalapeno, and sweet bell peppers. There’s also this starchy element of cheese grits and cheesy sourdough bread. This is really great, especially for the price point of $50-55. You really can’t go wrong with this and it’s a great departure from Espadin that you’d normally find near this pricing.

Lot TV21. Another stellar mezcal from the state of Guerrero. This has aromas of lemon peel, eucalyptus, mint, and steamed broccoli and green beans. The palate has notes of raw honey, molasses, maple, figs, raisins, dates, and hazelnut. This is rich and viscous. It jumps out of the glass and coats the palate.

AGA-LEC-001. Wild nose that is all over the place. This has aromas of newly cut grass clippings, lemongrass, fresh chives, green olives, briny sea water, malted grains, yogurt, and buttermilk. The palate has notes of green pepper, jalapeno, cilantro, slate, pencil lead, and mesquite smoke. This is a dynamic and complex spirit.

NAZ-ARR-001. The nose on this is very different from what I’d expect from an Arroqueno. That said, an Arroqueno from Puebla is quite rare and unique. This has aromas of strawberry, blackberry, and black currant. Those berry-like notes mix with hints of sulphur, spent fireworks, and burnt matches. The palate is sweet and thick. Notes of bubblegum, kiwi, guava, honeydew, and cantaloupe. There’s also this slightly sour pineapple note, like biting into pineapple that is cut too close to rind. This is really nice and has a beautiful finish.

Lote 06. Strong aromas of slate, freshly fallen leaves, and cloves. There are also some aromas like dry erase markers, pencil lead, and gun powder. The palate again is rich with slate, and notes of root vegetables like potatoes, yams, and turnips.

Lot 05. Bottle 94. Aromas of citrus with notes of orange, grapefruit, apricot. There are also aromas of slate and chalky minerals. The palate is a bit sharp, but softens up with time in the glass. It has notes of salted caramel, toasted almonds, sticky corn syrup. This is a really nice expression from Sola de Vega, with some really deep minerality and fruity notes that I enjoy a lot.

Lot 001 from 2019. A little sour on the nose, but also highly sweet and sugary. Notes of sweet green apples, plum, apricot, grape flavored candy, and strawberry shortcake. The palate mostly matches the nose in terms of notes. It’s highly candied and sweet, thick and robust, and high in minerality. For me, this is the perfect cross between the funky sweetness that can come with a raicilla from this region, and the intense minerality that is typically there in Chacolo batches. This is my favorite bottle that I’ve tasted in quite some time.

Lot 001 from 2016. This smells incredible. Notes of Sweet Tarts, Goetze candies, and strawberry Cream Savers. This smells like pure candy. The palate has notes of dark fruits like plums, pomegranate, and black cherries. There are also some hints of sweet cream. The tasting notes are still very sweet, but less so than the aromas. This is balanced and nuanced with deep fruity undertones. I’m enjoying this a lot.

Batch from March 2016, exclusive for El Cerrito Liquor. Aromas of brown sugar, baked goods, green apple, pear, allspice, and nutmeg. The palate is thick and robust. Notes of plum, pomegranate, white onion, clove, and a bit of burning sage. The finish is long and dry with hints of freshly baked sugar cookies. This is sweet, dark, and delicious. This is one that I’ll be reaching for again and again. A fantastic spirit.

Batch REF-TEQ-001. Aromas of havarti, whipped cream, under-ripe strawberries, guava, and green bananas. The palate is a bit sharp. It has layers of tangy, almost sour tropical fruit, like if you made a smoothie of not-yet-ripe guava, mango, and papaya. An additional lemon flavor persists throughout this, but is most present on the finish.

Batch EMA-TEQ-001. Aromas of pineapple, cantaloupe, limeade, key lime pie, and double mint gum. The palate has notes of honeydew melon, coconut, hickory, cedar, and ash. I really wanted to like this one more, but it’s just not very complex and is a bit thin.

Lote GN-01ENS. This has more going on than I’d expect from a 42% ABV mezcal. I can’t say that about the other releases from this brand unfortunately. It’s still a bit more muted than I’d like, but there are some interesting things going on. Aromas of chalky minerals and highly acidic fruits, like lemon and lime. The palate isn’t what I’d expect. Notes of green apples, nopales, tomatillos, and sweet corn.

Batch ENS04/19. An absolutely phenomenal spirit. This is big and fruity with great body and finish. The aromas include notes of mango, pineapple, and strawberry lemonade. The palate continues with the lemonade theme. Additional tasting notes of hot honey, wildflowers, mango, strawberry cream, grapefruit, and orange essence. This is a total tropical fruit bomb. Fantastic!

Lot LSMA01. Aromas of chalk, copper, salt, bran, rolled oats, and vanilla cake. The palate is soft and delicate. Notes of lilac, eucalyptus, aloe, green tea, stewed vegetables, and chardonnay. This is nice and a step outside of what I’ve tasted from Cuentacuentos in the past.

Lot DS002-E+C. Aromas of gun powder, pencil lead, green apples, and iodine. The palate has notes of burnt potato skins, sage, cilantro, granny smith apple skins, and menthol cigarettes. There’s this earthy element to this, like when you can taste the soil on a carrot that is freshly pulled from the ground. There’s also a good amount of heat on the back of the palate.

Lot 01/19 from Alberto Vasquez. Smells floral with lots of slate. Aromas of fresh flowers, confectionary sugar, and apple cider vinegar. The palate has notes of root beer, sarsparilla, molasses, raisins, coffee grounds, and chocolate. This is dark and brooding. This is really solid.