MRCH 2018, Lot D5004-TO; Bottle 796/1348
?- clear
?- soft drying impact effect.
Aromas of some VA; green & vegetal, coriander, fresh herbs, green bell pepper, green peppercorn, green anise, rubber/plastic, pickled watermelon rind.
Adequate towards powerful intensity & complex production.
Average length and fine character.
?- astringent effect with coating highlights; generous smooth-rough alcohol; medium-full body.
Primarily sour taste with sweet highlights; buttery smoothness.
Flavors of vegetal, aloe vera, light peppercorn, wood, tart guava, waxy apricot.
Concentrated flavor intensity, slight complex character, bold yet harmonious balance.
Pleasant and very long finish.
Very good to Excellent overall impression.

*Round and balanced. The VA nose blows off. It’s slightly monotone, but pleasant. Need to revisit for more complexity, developing character.

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or more on Agave Spirits certifications through the Agave Spirits Institute.

MM AGL (RIP); 509 Lts; May 2019.
?- clear
?- soft drying impact effect.
Aromas wet soil & clay, peanuts, walnuts, almonds, pine nuts, mint, white, yellow & green teas, lemon zest & juice, light honey & chili peppers.
Adequate & complex production.
Average length and very fine character.
?- astringent & coating effect; sufficient smooth alcohol; medium-full body.
Primarily sweet, sour, bitter, piquant & savory taste; buttery smoothness.
Flavors of wood traces, spices, green chili, peppercorn, red/black tea, lime & lemon zest, nutshells, cured meats, savory truffles.
Concentrated flavor intensity, complex character, harmonious balance.
Pleasant and very long finish.
Excellent overall impression.

*Disconnect between nose and palate, nothing unpleasant, rather surprising, well balanced and great unique character.

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or more on Agave Spirits certifications through the Agave Spirits Institute.

MM JB; 300Lts, March 2020 – Texas Label.
?- clear
?- drying impact, slight prickling effect.
Aromas of greenness; aloe vera, vegetal & ginger, green beans, raw pine wood, and pine cone, barely cooked sweet potato, light honey, lemon & lime zest, light rubber/plastic.
Adequate & complex production.
Average length and fine character.
?- astringent effect with warming and coating highlights; sufficient rough-smooth alcohol; medium-full body.
Primarily sour taste with salt, bitter & piquant highlights; buttery-oily smoothness.
Flavors of greenness; aloe vera, peppercorn, ginger spice, lime pith & zest, chamomile, honey & agave nectar.
Medium concentration flavor intensity, slight complex character, bold & harmonious balance.
Straightforward and very long finish.
Very Good to Excellent overall impression.

*Bold yet harmonious, well balanced in spite of an initial of rough tactile alcohol sensation, but great typicity and character.

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or more on Agave Spirits certifications through the Agave Spirits Institute.

Maestro Mezcalero Artemio Garcia Cruz, 100% Destilado de Agave, Joven, Ensamble de Jabali, Madre Cuixe, Cuixe, Pulquero, Espadin, Tepextate & Tobala, “Maguey Melate”, Batch ArtERS001, Bottle #818 of 410 liters; 2020.
Lote 0319ER
?- clear
?- drying impact, slight warming effect.
Aromas of floral, perfume, ripe papaya, mango, guava, cooked banana, dragon fruit, passion fruit, dry palm leaves, piloncillo, pecorino cheese.
Powerful & complex production.
Average length and fine to very fine character.
?- coating effect with warming and astringent highlights; sufficient smooth alcohol; full body.
Primarily sweet, sour, bitter, piquant, taste with salt highlights; buttery smoothness.
Flavors of tamarind, sweet & ripe fruits: peach, pear, mango, guava, quince; pepper or ginger, cajeta, pulque ferment, and wild raw honey.
Medium concentration flavor intensity, complex character, harmonious balance.
Pleasant and very long finish.
Excellent overall impression.

*Lot’s of complexity, well crafted, and showcase of terroir and polyculture.

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or more on Agave Spirits certifications through the Agave Spirits Institute.

Lote DS003CR; 2018; Bottle #396/1180.
?- clear
?- drying & prickling impact with warming effect.
Aromas faint VA; ripe peach, apricots, apples, pears, mamey, watermelon rind, elderflowers, violets, tarragon, raw sugarcane.
Adequate & complex production.
Average length and fine character.
?- coating effect with astringent highlights; sufficient smooth alcohol; medium-full body.
Primarily sweet taste, with bitter & sour highlights; buttery smoothness.
Flavors of ripe peach, apricot, pear, apple, ginger, pepper, tamarind, lime & lemon zest, raw wood.
Medium concentration flavor intensity, complex character, harmonious balance.
Pleasant and very long finish.
Excellent overall impression.

*It’s round with a few tension points, great balance, and interesting character,

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or more on Agave Spirits certifications through the Agave Spirits Institute.

Lote DS001TP; 2017 – Bottle 84/264.
?- clear
?- light warming impact.
Aromas of floral, linden, wool, clay, stone, violets, guava, quince, raw sugarcane, honeysuckle, apple, pear, aloe vera.
Adequate & complex production.
Average length and very fine character.
?- coating effect with warming and astringent highlights; sufficient smooth alcohol; medium-full body.
Primarily sweet & sour taste, with bitter highlights; buttery smoothness.
Flavors of light tamarind, guava, quince, pepper, ginger, lemon & lime zest.
Concentrated flavor intensity, complex character, harmonious balance.
Pleasant and very long finish.
Excellent overall impression.

*It’s quite round, very pretty, and shows fine typicity and character with balance.

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or more on Agave Spirits certifications through the Agave Spirits Institute.

Maestro Palenquero Jose Jaime Morales Aquino, Oaxaca, Eau de Vie de Mango Ancestral, “Maguey Melate” Batch # JosMan001, Bottle 41; 2020.
?- clear
?- drying impact, slight prickling and warming.
Aromas of green mango, white pepper, mamey, guava, quince, kiwi, honey.
Adequate & slightly complex production.
Average length and fine character.
?- coating & astringent effect with warming highlights; sufficient smooth alcohol; medium body.
Primarily sweet & sour taste, with bitter highlights; buttery smoothness.
Flavors of mango, pineapple, papaya & guava.
Medium concentration flavor intensity, slight complex character, harmonious balance.
Pleasant and very long finish.
Excellent overall impression.

*great flavor, balance and character.

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or more on Agave Spirits certifications through the Agave Spirits Institute.

Maestro Palenquero Jose Jaime Morales Aquino, Oaxaca, Eau de Vie de Ciruela Ancestral “Maguey Melate” 160 Lt Batch Jai-Plu001; Bottle #63; 2020; MEXICO.
?- clear
?- drying impact, slightly prickling.
Aromas of plum blossom, apricot, peach, nectarine, hay, mint, barnyard, savory plum pit.
Adequate & semi-complex production.
Average length and ordinary character.
?- coating, astringent and warming effect; sufficient smooth to rough alcohol; medium body.
Primarily sweet & sour taste, with bitter highlights; buttery smoothness.
Flavors of tamarind, hay, barnyard, savory, truffle, pepper, smoked pepper, light clay.
Medium concentration flavor intensity, slight complex character, harmonious balance.
Straightforward and long finish.
Very Good overall impression.

*has a few rough edges, mostly in the alcohol sense, also lacks length, and more plum character on the palate. However, it’s pleasant. It is way more rustic than any plum eau de vie or brandy from Europe. That is not against it. But the lack of plum character in comparison is.

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or more on Agave Spirits certifications through the Agave Spirits Institute.

Lote 0319ER
?- clear
?- drying impact.
Aromas of light VA, green, vegetal and organic hay character, raw wood, barn floor, dried pine needles, pine cones, pine nuts, savory herb – oregano & thyme, honeydew melons.
Adequate & complex production.
Average length and ordinary character.
?- coating effect with warming and astringent highlights; sufficient smooth alcohol; medium body.
Primarily sweet & sour taste, with bitter highlights; buttery smoothness.
Flavors of lime & lemon, faint smoke, raw wood, basil, fennel, ripe grilled peaches, raw honey, mint & rosemary, honeydew melons.
Medium concentration flavor intensity, complex character, harmonious balance.
Pleasant and very long finish.
Excellent overall impression.

*Other than the initial VA impression on the nose which blew off, the in-glass aromas evolved dramatically, very nice experience. Well balanced, and quite nice.

Learn more about organoleptic evaluation at the International Wine & Spirits Guild’s seminar in Fine Spirits,
or more on Agave Spirits certifications through the Agave Spirits Institute.

Lote 081118EJ, Bottle 72/280 @ 2018
?- clear
?- pungent, drying & prickling impact.
Aromas of pear & apple, menthol, eucalyptus, horseradish, aloe vera, cedar wood, pepper, elderflower, honeysuckle, and leather.
Adequate & complex production.
Average length and ordinary character.
?- astringent effect with coating highlights; sufficient smooth alcohol; medium-full body.
Primarily sour & sweet taste, with bitter highlights; buttery smoothness.
Flavors of eucalyptus, menthol, ripe pear & apples, leather and wood.
Medium concentration flavor intensity, slight complex character, harmonious balance.
Pleasant and very long finish.
Very Good to excellent overall impression.

*It’s quite round, velvety and smooth, great balance, shows great craftmanship, nonetheless, not very complex. I expected so much more based on the hype surrounding these rare black Jolgorios…alas, will have to revisit. Hard toss between 4 and 4.5 for now.

Learn more about organoleptic evaluation at the International Wine & Spirits Guild’s seminar in Fine Spirits,
or more on Agave Spirits certifications through the Agave Spirits Institute.

Lote 00119.
?- clear
?- faint drying impact.
Aromas of cajeta, marzipan, candied fruits, floral, sage, caraway, panforte, dill and maple ham.
Adequate & complex production.
Average length and very fine character.
?- coating effect with astringent highlights; sufficient smooth alcohol; medium body.
Primarily sour taste, with sweet, bitter & savory highlights; buttery smoothness.
Flavors of caraway, coriander, lemon peel, pepper, cilantro, lemon candy.
Medium concentration flavor intensity, slight complex character, harmonious balance.
Straightforward and very long finish.
Very Good overall impression.

*I really wish more of the Iberico came through on the palate. I really wanted to like this. I really enjoyed the complex nose too, but somehow the palate seemed disconnected. May have to revisit. Nonetheless nicely balanced overall.

Learn more about organoleptic evaluation at the International Wine & Spirits Guild’s seminar in Fine Spirits,
or more on Agave Spirits certifications through the Agave Spirits Institute.

?- clear
?- faint drying impact.
Aromas of light plastics, fresh herbaceousness, cucumber, aloe vera, lemon oils and lemon peel, waxy guava, white pepper and light honeys.
Adequate & slightly complex production.
Average length and ordinary character.
?- coating effect with astringent highlights; sufficient smooth alcohol; medium body.
Primarily sour taste, with sweet & bitter highlights; buttery smoothness.
Flavors of pepper, lemon zest, light honey, and raw wood and fair smoke.
Medium concentration flavor intensity, simple character, correct balance.
Straightforward and long finish.
Very Good to excellent overall impression.

*Very nicely balanced. Is it going to change your life? No, but it’s a very nice introductory value ensamble.

Learn more about organoleptic evaluation at the International Wine & Spirits Guild’s seminar in Fine Spirits,
or more on Agave Spirits certifications through the Agave Spirits Institute.

Bottled 2018.
?- clear
?- drying impact.
Aromas of green savory herbaceous, thyme, rosemary, sage, bay leaf, ginger, guava, quince, lime oil, fresh pine, Irish moss, mineral clay, limestone chalk.
Adequate & complex production.
Average length and ordinary character.
?- coating, warming and astringent effect; sufficient smooth alcohol; medium-full body.
Primarily sour, sweet & bitter tastes; buttery-oily smoothness.
Flavors of quince, guava, ginger, pepper, pine, laurel, lemon & lime zest, leather, mineral clay & chalk, resin & sap.
Medium concentration of flavor intensity, slight complex character, correct balance.
Pleasant and long finish.
Very Good overall impression.

*Very green character, very well balanced though, very pleasant.

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or more on Agave Spirits certifications through the Agave Spirits Institute.

LOT E-17-MXC-19
497 Liter Batch.
53% Mexicano & 47% Cuishe
50.9 ABV.

?- clear
?- drying impact.
Aromas of fresh & savory herbs and vegetables, soft/light rubber & plastics, fresh pine and pine basket, floral, honey, aloe vera, wet sand and caliche.
Adequate & complex production.
Average length and fine character.
?- astringent effect slightly coating; sufficient smooth alcohol; medium-full body.
Primarily sour taste, with sweet & bitter highlights; buttery smoothness.
Flavors of pine and hay, aloe vera, fresh herbs, ripe agave, raw wood, floral honeys.
Concentrated flavor intensity, slight complex character, harmoniously bold balance.
Pleasant and very long finish.
Excellent overall impression.

*very nicely balanced, very good typicity, though nothing extraordinary, but very well crafted.

Learn more about organoleptic evaluation at the International Wine & Spirits Guild’s seminar in Fine Spirits,
or more on Agave Spirits certifications through the Agave Spirits Institute.

Batch 71DPVC12 – 2019.
Bottle 121/160.
?- clear
?- drying impact.
Aromas of wax, wool, golden raisins, peach, candied tropical fruits, berries, cherry brandy.
Adequate & complex production.
Average length and fine character.
?- coating & astringent effect; sufficient smoothened rough alcohol; medium-full body.
Primarily sour, sour and bitter taste; buttery smoothness.
Flavors of venison, fruit, ginger, pepper, wax.
Concentrated flavor intensity, slight complex character, harmonious balance.
Straightforward and very long finish.
Very Good to Excellent overall impression.

*Very nicely balanced, very interesting profile. Does have savory notes, but are intermingled with a surprising funky wax-like character. Will revisit.

Learn more about organoleptic evaluation at the International Wine & Spirits Guild’s seminar in Fine Spirits,
or more on Agave Spirits certifications through the Agave Spirits Institute.

Lote 31.
?- clear
?- faint drying & warming impact.
Aromas of vegetal notes, lots of herbaceousness, thyme, oregano and floral honeys.
Adequate & complex production.
Average length and fine character.
?- coating & astringent effect; sufficient smooth alcohol; medium body.
Primarily sour & bitter taste, with sweet & savory highlights; buttery smoothness.
Flavors of soil, dirt, vegetal, floral, clay, ginger, and light peppercorn.
Medium concentration flavor intensity, slight complex character, harmonious balance.
Straightforward and very long finish.
Very Good to excellent overall impression.

*I really wish more of the wild boar came through, I think it got lost with all the herbaceous and vegetal notes. Interesting sample, and unique.

Learn more about organoleptic evaluation at the International Wine & Spirits Guild’s seminar in Fine Spirits,
or more on Agave Spirits certifications through the Agave Spirits Institute.

Bottled 2018.

?- clear
?- drying impact, light warming.
Aromas of perfume, flora, bee pollen, floral honey, wax, linen, wool, green vegetal, cucumber, pine sap, tropical guava, starfruit, ginger, quince.
Adequate & complex production.
Average length and very fine character.
?- coating, warming and astringent effect; sufficient smoothened rough alcohol; medium-full body.
Primarily sour & sweet taste, with bitter highlights; buttery-oily smoothness.
Flavors of tropical mango, guava, papaya, starfruit, ginger, honey and peppers.
Concentrated flavor intensity, slight complex character, harmonious balance.
Pleasant and very long finish.
Excellent overall impression.

*Very elegant & pleasant with great balance.

Learn more about organoleptic evaluation at the International Wine & Spirits Guild’s seminar in Fine Spirits,
or more on Agave Spirits certifications through the Agave Spirits Institute.

Batch ARMM-01
Bottle 38/60 from 2019.
?- clear
?- drying impact.
Aromas of earthy clay, wet stone, chalk, wet soil and pine, honeysuckle, mandarin, wax, floral, green peppers, aloe vera, lemon, green apple skin.
Powerful aroma intensity, complex production.
Average length and fine character.
?- Coating effect; smooth sufficiently generous alcohol; medium-full body.
Primarily sour taste with sweet & bitter highlights; buttery smoothness.
Flavors of lemon & lime zest, ginger, peppers, aloe vera, tart apple, honey, earthy clay, and ripe roasted vegetal note.
Concentrated flavor intensity, slight complex character, harmonious balance.
Pleasant and very long finish.
Excellent overall impression.

*Elegantly balanced & rounded. Not overly complex, but not underwhelming, very nice display of terroir and typicity.

Learn more about organoleptic evaluation at the International Wine & Spirits Guild’s seminar in Fine Spirits,
or more on Agave Spirits certifications through the Agave Spirits Institute.

Lote #YJ11-20
Bottle 1115/5100
?- clear
?- drying impact, light prickling.
Aromas of some VA, light leather, ham, meat, pepper, spice, wax, plastic, rubber.
Adequate aroma intensity, simple production.
Average length and ordinary character.
?- Astringent, and slight coating effect; smooth sufficient alcohol; medium body.
Primarily sour, sweet and bitter taste; buttery smoothness.
Flavors of wax, guava, floral honey, ginger spice, green peppers, lemon zest, quince and pear.
Concentrated flavor intensity, complex character, correct balance.
Straightforward and very long finish.
Very Good overall impression.

*VA blows off after some time, good balance, not extraordinary, but nice entry.

Learn more about organoleptic evaluation at the International Wine & Spirits Guild’s seminar in Fine Spirits,
or more on Agave Spirits certifications through the Agave Spirits Institute.

Lote #5DJC01-20
Bottle 380 of 720A
?- clear
?- drying impact.
Aromas of lime zest, soft plastic, menthol, sappy, vegetal, bell peppers, fresh peppers, raw wood, under ripe tropical fruits.
Adequate to powerful aroma intensity, simple production.
Average length and fine character.
?- Astringent, and coating effect; smooth sufficient alcohol; medium body.
Primarily sour and sweet taste; buttery smoothness.
Flavors of citrus zest, peppers, wood and under ripe tropical fruits.
Concentrated flavor intensity, simple character, correct balance.
Straightforward and very long finish.
Very Good overall impression.

*Not very complex character, but very well balanced, and with fair typicity.

Learn more about organoleptic evaluation at the International Wine & Spirits Guild’s seminar in Fine Spirits,
or more on Agave Spirits certifications through the Agave Spirits Institute.