The production of this begins with selecting Agaves with higher Brix Levels. 32 Brix being the average. Prior to slow cooking in traditional Stone/Brick Ovens, the Agave are completely shaved of any remaining Pencas. After cooking the Agaves are macerated with Roller Mills where Deep Well Water is added. The collected Aqualmiel is fermented in Stainless Steel Tanks with Natural Yeasts. Once fermented, the Mosto is twice distilled in Copper Pot Stills. The Añejo begins it's aging process in New French Oak Barrels for 1 year and 3 months. From there, the Tequila is transferred into Used French Oak Port Barrels that were charred and scraped. The Tequila is then aged for another 1 year and 3 months. This gives a total of 2 years and 6 months and only 6 months from being an Extra Añejo. It's bottled in the Representative Green Bottle at 40% ABV. Aroma: This is an amazing dessert in a glass! Immediately a very fragrant ripe Banana mixes with Vanilla and Caramel. Butterscotch and Honey also offer some sweeter touches just before you can still tell this is still Tequila with the Cooked Agave coming through. As this evolves in the glass more French Oak notes come through with Molasses, Cocoa, and Candied Citrus. A softer Cinnamon note is present. At the top of the glass Florals and bits of Mint show themselves. And as a backbone a little Leather and Tobacco push through. Taste: Cooked Rich Agave and Oak offer their strong tasting notes right up front. Butterscotch, Vanilla, and ripe Banana are the first sweeter tastes before a touch of Black Pepper and Cinnamon jump in. A rich Honey and Candied Citrus add more delectable flavors. There is also a continuation of Molasses and Chocolate notes. Among all these Sweeter and Spicy tastes, a little Herbalness and cured Tobacco notes give more depth and complexity. Finish: With all these sweeter flavors, a complete balance of Rich Notes blend with Spicy Notes with a Herbalness all the way through for a good long run. AMM-89 Salud!!!

from 2014

Nose: Starts out like Cherry Garcia melted in a glass; almond, cherry, dark chocolate, and a little vanilla. Underneath that, caramel and orange zest show up to remind you this came from a barrel and not a pint of Ben & Jerry’s. Palate & Mouthfeel: Baking spices creep in slowly and hang around. There’s a musty, leathery edge that adds some weight. Barrel notes take the wheel - dried fruit and cooked agave showing up strong. It drinks a bit hotter than I prefer, it’s boozy enough to distract from some of the nuance. Finish: The spice and heat linger, riding on top of the dried fruit and oak. Not a lot of sweetness left in the rearview, just more of the dry, woodsy notes. Final Thoughts: I came in expecting more sweetness and got a bit more attitude than I was prepared for. Although there is some obvious sweetness, overall it leans savory, leathery, and dry. Great for someone chasing those deeper barrel notes, but a little off track for me when it comes to aged agave. Not bad at all, just not my lane.

Just a taster, will have to revisit