Produced at La Alteña distillery (NOM 1139) in Arandas in the Jalisco Highlands, this 2024 Virginia ABC single barrel is made with mature 6-9-year-old Blue Weber agave cooked in stone/brick ovens (hornos) for 48 hours. The sugars (aguamiel) are extracted using a volcanic stone wheel (tahona) and is fermented in open-air wooden tanks with agave fibers (bagasse) using ambient wild yeast. It is then 2x-distilled in copper pot stills very close to the bottling proof of 80 (40% ABV) which reduces the amount of deep well water added. This reposado was aged seven months in an American White Oak ex-bourbon barrel, less than the 9-11 months the blended barrel standard reposado.
The batch (lote) under review is B009-L336 bottled on 13 June 2024 and is bottle 135 out of 240 bottles. This review is based on multiple separate tastings over nine months using Denver & Liely Mezcal and Riedel Ouverture Tequila flute glasses with varying aeration times.
COLOR: Light straw yellow
AROMA PROFILE: Similar to the shelf reposado but with more robust baking spices & fruit – Cooked agave, baking spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, light cloves), fresh citrus fruits (Middle Eastern sweet limes & natural limeade), white pepper, light caramel & vanilla, oak/barrel notes, herbal notes, earthiness – very fruit & baking spice forward.
PALATE: Largely mirrors the nose – Sweet citrus fruits & baking spices-forward, herbal & oak/barrel notes, earthy/muskiness, robust black pepper, anise, & oak tannins on the finish that temper the natural sweetness.
FINISH: 9-10 seconds
MOUTHFEEL/VISCOSITY: Medium in the glass & on the palate
VALUE: Excellent sipping reposado for $60 in my market
ALWAYS ON SHELF/BUY AGAIN? Yes, though single barrel picks will all differ.
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Agave Spirits+ Journey 