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Aged in French oak for 6 months and bottled at 43% ABV. It’s got a welcoming aroma of vanilla, amaretto, and a touch of fruit. Flavors of vanilla, an effervescent pepper, fruit, and slight oak bitters. A little extra pop from the over-proofed 43% ABV. Aged 6 months but this is much darker than other Cascahuin and the flavors amped up from the oak too—the French barrel makes its presence known!
Lote 948 03 11 18 Impressive complexity in the aroma - opens with crisp citrus and subtle minerality. Then, the classic barrel/cooking spice follows. And, very distinct cooked agave is completely present. Always impressive when an aged expression manages to maintain the agave notes. While the aroma is complex, the flavor may be even more so. Smooth fruit (pear, apple, plum) sweetness is quickly followed by a black pepper heat. Also, caramel and baking spice. The evolution and blending of flavors is something special. Soft, lingering heat in a medium to long finish. 12-23-2025 Annual XA tasting “warmup”
Fresh crack pour. Will need to revisit
Nose: Vanilla rises first, soft and warm, followed by a clean line of orange zest and a lift of honeysuckle that gives it a bright, almost sunny edge. Caramel settles in underneath, grounding everything, while the agave stays present enough to keep the profile centered. Palate & Mouthfeel: Light and watery on entry, the agave shows up quickly. Tropical fruit flickers in and out, backed by a touch of vanilla and a gentle run of oak. Orange citrus adds some welcome brightness, and a dusting of black pepper brings a bit of shape to an otherwise easygoing profile. It’s lively up front, though it softens sooner than expected. Finish: A slight oak bitterness shows up early, but the overall exit stays clean. The flavors don’t push far, fading with a quick, tidy dropoff. Final Thoughts: A mid-budget reposado with a gorgeous nose and a palate that opens with promise. The midsection and finish don’t quite keep pace for me, but the overall experience remains pleasant. Very nice for what it is, especially if you enjoy a bright, inviting start.
Nose: Cooked agave, wrapped in a gentle saline edge that makes the minerality feel alive. Citrus lifts the profile - more zest than juice - and the black pepper folds in with an easy sharpness. Altogether it has this fresh meadow quality, a kind of green, open air note. Palate & Mouthfeel: The mouthfeel stays light and a touch watery, but the flavors don’t thin out. Sweet agave lands right away, chased by a firm line of black pepper. Lime and grapefruit keep things bright, sliding into a grassy note that leans fresh rather than bitter. A soft butter tone rounds things off and keeps things from feeling too sharp. Finish: Black pepper hangs on, joined by grapefruit pith that brings a bright, tart edge with just enough bitterness to stay interesting. The flavors keep flickering long after the sip ends, leaving a light tingling that feels lively. Final Thoughts: A budget heavyweight that punches above expectation- light in body but far from hollow. Easy to enjoy neat, relaxed on a cube, or folded into a cocktail without losing its character.
House of Rare
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I was able to taste this from a sample I received and I think I’m going to have to hunt one down There is no denying this one oof Chava’s masterpieces. The nose is amazing once it settles in as the alcohol is the first notes coming from the Riedels lip followed by cooked agave and soft notes of caramel, vanillin and holiday spices. Tasting comes with a nice agave sweetness that shows off the French Oak. Very warming on the palette and the back of the throat. Love the spice notes of cinnamon, nutmeg and clove. Ha a soft touch that lingers for a medium to long finish. He had me at French Oak!!!