Lote 42, 46.12%
Cupreata, manso sahuayo, tequiliana
Some tropical fruit funk, a bit of rubber bands, and some light mesquite smoke. Tried in a 50ml sampler (love having mezcal of this quality in a tiny bottle!) and kinda wish I had more.

2023, 530 liters, no lot number. Full of sugarcane sweetness, mixed with pine and green bell pepper. Unlike the description, this is not a pechuga, but there is some barbecued meat in the aroma. Wonderful.

Lot AE-XXSA2, 2897/3076
It hits like a warm summer evening by the campfire. Big smoke upfront that makes me think of Ardbeg. Loads of bubblegum sweetness that fades into cinnamon and jasmine.

Lot 001-18GS
My partner picked this up in Mexico City, so this is a review of the 38% version. It’s fine for what it is. There’s just a hint of the fruity/fresh plastic of a Tobala. There’s a moderate amount of smokiness that comes through in the finish and it just barely peeks through in a cocktail. There was probably something halfway decent here before they watered it down.

Lot VDM-212
There’s a strong scent of band-aids that is extremely strong on first pour. This faded slightly into the background over time, but surprisingly stays front and center in cocktails. Sipped neat there are cherry syrup and mint flavors, which adds to whole medical vibe. Just a hint of campfire smoke towards the end. I thought this would be a solid cocktail option but I think it will stay in the rotation as a weekday sipper.

Lot 67. This one is a real sweetheart. Roasted agave, brown sugar, and something slightly vegetal/green pepper-like in the distance. I like it. Being able to pick this one up locally is also huge.

Lot 1, bottle 79/126. The first meat pechuga I’ve ever tried and (if other reviews are any indication), it may have spoiled me. There is nothing overpowering here—it’s all pretty subtle. I was expecting a bit of the lamb funk, but it makes me think more of a smoked turkey. There’s also something vaguely tropical and fruity that I couldn’t pick out until I saw Zack mention papaya. I like this one a lot and other people I’ve poured this for have as well.

LOT A-09-M-19
This was one of the first bottles I bought in the US after visiting Oaxaca and it was in no small part due to the legend of Don Aquilino. It’s a complex one. The nose is quite floral and vegetal, almost like perfume. The palate is almost a complete 180. It started off gently savory and peppered but has slowly turned briney, almost like a dirty martini or gulping the ocean. It is delicate and also pretty brutal. A real puzzle for sure.
Bottom of the bottle edit: After leaving this one untouched for a bit (and tbh considering pouring it out), I gave it another try and the briney flavor disappeared. It returned to its gentle and perfumey beginnings. What a ride this one was.

Date: 12/19, Lot 9, Bottle 521/800
This bottle was my first sotol and quickly became my weekday jam. Cedar wood, asparagus, and capers. I read a review where someone said it was like a brand new wallet and that is spot on! I will always make sure to have one of these on hand.

Lot BA0045EBA21 I get some vanilla and lime notes on the front and just a touch of smoke and black pepper in the finish. Moderately sweet and not terribly complex. I dig it, though. Good value for money and easily procured. I hope to introduce friends and make some cocktails with this one.
EDIT: Didn’t find it interesting enough to return to as a sipper. I mostly used this for margaritas and it was pretty good for that purpose.

The aroma on this is incredibly sweet and makes me think of bubble yum and cherry coke. Very balanced with a bit of a fresh leather, cedar smoke note on the back end.