Nose: Earthy cooked agave jumps out first, followed by bright citrus and a subtle hint of smoke. There’s a mineral backbone that hints at limestone and the terroir of the region. Palate: The flavor opens with orange and fresh orange peel layered over sweet agave. Mid-palate brings limestone minerality and earthy tones with a light smokiness that adds complexity without overpowering the agave. Finish: Long and satisfying with a nice, warming heat. Cooked agave, limestone minerality, grassy notes, and lingering orange citrus carry through the finish. Overall: This one really surprised me. It’s earthy, mineral-driven, and citrus-forward with just a whisper of smoke that adds character without dominating the profile.
Nose smells like you’re sitting by the fire. I can appreciate the uniqueness of this expression. Agave present along with their signature earth pit influence. Palate is solid and simple as a barrel forward XA. Gotta be in the mood for this one but if you are, it hits just right. Very well made and nice to add variety to your XA collection.
Had this in the XA blind. I had never had it but knew what it was immediately due to the smokiness from the rest of the lineup. I really enjoyed it. Alberto is a great dude and when he wants, knows how to make legit tequila. This brand is proof of it.
Aroma is smoky with oak, cinnamon, and dates. Rich flavor with charred oak and spices, yum. Long spiced finish.
AMM XA Blind Tasting: Aroma has wood/camp fire notes right up front. Lots of cooked agave, peat, black pepper and cocoa. Med-brown color. Palate had a lot of wood (French oak?) with some smoke and fire pit Mezcal hints. Some chocolate. Has a"green" funk to it especially for the color. A nice peppery, camp fire finish. This one was pretty complex. Kind of wild and a standout in a bunch of quality XA’s
This is the perfect Mezcal starter kit, smoke & vegetal notes are front and centre. Once you get past the obvious flavours, it is surprisingly gentle with almond & brown sugar. Soft and short ending, which is difficult to execute with this profile. Overall I applaud the effort, this is unique and worth buying a bottle.
Panel members responded with honest and detailed tasting notes that ended up revealing some interesting trends. Let’s get into it.
High-proof tequilas, once only for hardcore drinkers, are now being released at a steady pace. Why?
Lot 02 Nose: Agave arrives first, followed quickly by clay, minerals, and the scent of fresh petrichor after rain. It leans deeply into the earth, almost an earth bomb, with charred oak adding a darker, lightly smoky register. Lime and a generous lift of mint keep it from feeling heavy, while a touch of black pepper flickers in the background and sharpens the overall profile. Palate & Mouthfeel: The mouthfeel is thin and watery, though with flavors this pronounced it works to keep the profile bright and lifted. Sweet agave leads the way, followed by charred oak, cooling mint, and fresh lime. A measured hit of chili pepper builds gradually, giving the palate a bit of heat and energy without overwhelming the core flavors. Finish: A light trace of smoke from the charred oak lingers into the finish, joined by pepper and lime. Because of the thin viscosity, the finish lands lighter than these flavors might otherwise suggest, tapering off cleanly rather than settling heavily on the palate. Final Thoughts: A deft hand was clearly at work here. Nothing feels overdone or underdeveloped. It’s distinctive and stands apart as a genuinely interesting pour. I thoroughly enjoy it, though its character will likely make it a love it, or leave it experience for drinkers.