Hacienda de Chihuahua has been producing sotol within the desert of Chihuahua for the reason that nineteenth century, utilizing a non-industrial course of that appears to be unchanged for a lot of its existence. The distillery affords a surprisingly massive portfolio of aged and unaged sotol, even a pair of sotol-based cream liqueurs. Right this moment we’re taking an preliminary have a look at a blanco and anejo expression. Each sotols are made out of pinas of the Dasylirion plant harvested from the Excessive Chihuahuan Desert in Northern Mexico. Ideas comply with.
NOM 159.
Hacienda de Chihuahua Sotol Rustico Assessment
Crystal clear, the sotol noses with a shiny sweetness and ample acidity, a showcase for overripe apples and bubblegum, tamarind sweet, and brown banana. Whereas not smoky, it does scent cooked — acidic and sharp, with a lingering, peppery pungency.
The palate is once more very sharp and pushy, extraordinarily fruity and overripe, and slightly arduous to position. The fruit veers into citrus and ginger, searing the palate with extra acidity and rustic funk. Grassy notes creep into the fold because it develops, transferring from there right into a extra smoldering, moist earthiness. Chalky minerals give the end an extra pastoral high quality, whereas a squeeze of lime and citrus on the end perk up for a brighter manner out.
Followers of extra aggressive tequilas and mezcals with much less of a smoky character ought to take pleasure in it.
90 proof. B+ / $50
Hacienda de Chihuahua Sotol Anejo Assessment
This sotol is made out of the identical slow-cooked and fermented Dasylirion pinas, nevertheless it then undergoes a triple distillation course of earlier than getting old for 2 full years in new French oak barrels. It’s bottled at a naked minimal 38% abv.
The oak has imbued a really refined, golden hue, even after two lengthy years of getting old, however its time within the barrel is extra apparent within the aroma which showcases huge prime notes of break up vanilla bean and softer baking spice, all of that are properly complemented by the sotol’s underlying sweetness. The barrel has tamed the acidity, however traces stay with undertones of cooked pineapple, guava, and that very same pink bubblegum notice we encountered within the blanco. Because it opens, issues sweeten additional with ripe melon and cotton sweet notes.
The palate isn’t practically as bracingly candy or piercing because the blanco. And nowhere close to as complicated. The mouthfeel is relatively skinny and watery, even accounting for the discount in proof, and taste struggles to search out a lot footing. Whispers of candy vanilla taffy, cinnamon sugar, and one thing vaguely vegetal are probably the most you possibly can hope for till the end when a little bit of cracked black pepper, cedar, and clove provide, ultimately, a purpose to return for one more easy-drinking sip. Inoffensive however missing character, it’s an honest technique to begin your sotol journey, however I can’t assist questioning what this may style like at a extra respectable abv. -DB
76 proof. B- / $50
Hacienda de Chihuahua Sotol Rustico
USD50
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