SHORT REVIEW: Tequila Ocho Plata Puntas 2024 Tequila – Mirandillas Single Estate

Located at 5,200 feet above sea level, Mirandillas, though still in the Highlands (Los Altos) region of Jalisco, is the single agave estate that is at the lowest altitude of any ranch whose agaves have been used by Tequila Ocho. With gray clay soil, different from the red clay soil elsewhere in the Highlands, Mirandillas is in an area usually not used for Blue Weber agave crops. Los Alambiques (NOM 1474) distillery, headed by master distiller and fifth generation agave rancher and tequila producer Carlos Camarena, used Mirandillas’ 2,200 tons of agaves – harvested from 63,000 mature agave plants – to make a regular plata, a reposado, and the 2024 Plata Puntas. The ranch’s agaves have a very high sugar brix (sugar) level of around 31%.

The 2024 Puntas is the third Puntas limited release since 2021 and is the highest proof (the 2023 was 106 proof & the 2021 was 101 proof). The Puntas releases are composed of the “heads,” selected early stage cuts made by Camarena and usually reserved by master distillers for their own enjoyment.

COLOR: Crystal clear & shimmering with slivers of silver as it reflects the light

AROMA PROFILE: Cooked Agave & sweet Baking Spices including Cinnamon, Cloves, Allspice; Fruity quality akin to a slice of fresh pineapple as you get near the rind (there’s a Vegetal, “Green” note to the tropical fruit sweetness); a hint of Banana/Banana Candy Chew; Black & White Pepper; a hint of Vanilla; Earthy with Minerality like a wet stone; Vegetal notes including Dried Aromatic Herbs, Mint/Spearmint, & Olive; some Floral notes (more like dried potpourri rather than fresh flowers)

PALATE: Mirrors the aroma profile with dominant flavors of sweet Cooked Agave & Baking Spices; Tropical Fruit & Citrus notes; strong Black & White Pepper; a hit of strong Alcohol initially that leaves a pleasant warming sensation on the palate, throat, & chest; Vegetal/Herbal (including Olive & Mint/Spearmint) & Floral notes; creamy salted chocolate; Minerality & Earthiness

-The alcohol hit is initially quite strong, but it dissipates somewhat & melds with the other aromas & flavors the longer it opens up & aerates in the glass.

MOUTHFEEL: Creamy/buttery/oily; Viscous & full (Beautiful viscosity on the sides of the glass)

FINISH: Long

PRICE POINT (IN MY AREA): Limited release; $79.99

VALUE: This year’s Puntas, for me, is the perfect marriage of sweet cooked agave, cinnamon & baking spices, tropical fruit & citrus, herbal notes, & pepper.

ALWAYS ON SHELF/BUY AGAIN? This is a limited release. Having said that, I have a [REDACTED NUMBER] of bottles because I find it just that delicious.