BOTTLE DETAILS
- DISTILLER: Tequila El Rocio (NOM 1636)
- MASH BILL: Blue Weber Agave 100%
- AGE: 25 days in oak for blanco; no growing older for high-proof blanco; 2 months to 364 days for the reposado
- YEAR: 2024
- PROOF: 80-98 (40%-49% ABV)
- MSRP: $80 for blanco, $90 for high-proof blanco, $105 for reposado
- BUY ONLINE: Sip Tequila
STEVE’S NOTES
SHARE WITH: Tequila followers.
WORTH THE PRICE: Not for me … however different skilled palates imagine in any other case. See beneath.
BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Bar.
OVERALL: It isn’t usually I obtain a full line of tequilas without delay, however after I do, it is a glad event. Tasting throughout blanco, reposado and anejo gives a broad take a look at the tequila unadorned, aged modestly or for an extended interval. Effectively made and correctly aged tequilas style nice and carry a home type via each expression.
Within the case of Alto Canto (which interprets to “highland track,”) I acquired one bottle every of blanco (80 proof), high-proof blanco (a.ok.a. nonetheless energy at 98 proof) and reposado (80 proof). After I first tasted all three, I believed they have been tight and a few head area within the bottle to loosen up a bit. After many weeks, revisits of sips and a cocktail or two, they rounded off properly.
What I discovered throughout all three expression was a faint and distracting bitter/tart notice, and never the customarily nice “funk” tied to agave spirits which can be fermented with airborne yeast. After I learn the Alto Canto product literature within the field and discovered that the distillery–located at 9,000 ft within the Jalisco mountains–creates a cycle of malolactic fermentation, the tart notice made sense.
“Malo,” for brief in winemaking circles, is a second fermentation that creates three fundamental outcomes: a extra viscous mouthfeel, distinctive aromas like buttered popcorn (by creating diacetyl), even baked bread (which I famous in an outline beneath); and a few acid, which brightens fruit notes, particularly in wine.
Lengthy story quick, I did not just like the acidic contact, however realizing my palate is however one, I believed it smart to query my opinion by studying others’ takes on Alto Canto at TequilaMatchmaker.com (TMM). The location’s critiques (written and ranked by the member group’s scores, in addition to these from a smaller, collaborative panel) are all the time dependable. Of the 15 critiques on TMM, a number of who talked about the acid notes regarded them pleasantly. One reviewer wrote, “In the event you just like the funk, that is proper up your alley!! Robust flavors however not overpowering. Nice selection.”
Simply one of many 15 reviewers paralleled my tackle the slight tartness. Meaning 93% of these reviewers appreciated Alto Canto’s uncommon traits. I respect that sufficient to level it out and be truthful to Alto Canto.
Anybody who’s reviewed something sometimes finds themselves the outlier amongst different commenters. When that is occurred to me, I typically assume, “Y’all are loopy,” however on this case, I defer to the TMM of us for what’s a sound majority opinion.
At BourbonBanter.com, we encourage others to “drink curious” somewhat than inform anybody what to not drink … until it is vodka. This spirit seems worthy of your personal examination.
To my very own outcomes:
Blanco:Â On the nostril is a faint malolactic bitter notice woven via aromas of cooked agave, ripe fruit, cooked inexperienced bell pepper, somewhat sage, mild minerality, butterscotch, lemon sweet and Hawaiian rolls.
The palate begins with roasted agave, malo-tartness, gentle inexperienced pepper spice and never quite a bit else. Mouthfeel is barely buttery although the end is clear and quick lived.
Reposado: Moist barrel and potting soil lead on the nostril earlier than cooked agave overcomes them. Tamarind (seemingly that malolactic contact), roasted pine nuts, barrel spice and a touch of cinnamon be part of grilled pineapple.
The palate begins barely bitter adopted by flat coca-cola, some barrel spice and somewhat cooked agave. Not quite a bit happening right here. The end disappears shortly.
Excessive proof blanco: The nostril leads with cooked agave and white pepper, baked bread, Juicy Fruit gum and expressed lemon peel.
On the palate, it is brilliant, mild and spicy, and abundantly fruity and floral. White pepper is adopted by spring flowers and lean minerality. General, the spirit lacks physique and the end is simply too temporary. Nevertheless it’s positively my most popular spirit of the three, and I stay up for utilizing it in cocktails.
BRAND NOTES
Alto Canto is distilled on the highest altitude of any tequila in Mexico utilizing natural agaves cooked for 72 hours in conventional brick ovens. The agaves are macerated by tahona (a volcanic rock wheel) to stop stressing the fibers, then transferred to wood tanks for pure fermentation. A second malolactic fermentation brings flavors to their peak.
Wild malolactic fermentation happens over 80 hours, with endemic yeasts creating a novel taste profile. The fermented product is then distilled in copper stills. The excessive altitude causes the alcohol to evaporate at a decrease temperature, leading to a smoother tequila. Alto Canto ages its tequilas in new American oak barrels inside a constructing comprised of native adobe bricks, which breathe the terroir and permit for a sluggish extraction of flavors and aromas.
This course of, referred to as Tequila de Altura, reinvents the tequila custom in its purest type. Excessive altitude and decrease pressures lead to higher high quality. The endemic yeasts, distillation course of, and mountain growing older create unmatched spirits.
BLANCO: Notes and hints of vanilla, caramel, butter and moist soil.
HIGH-PROOF BLANCO: Easy and cooked agave taste, hints of pepper, citrus, minerals and moist soil.
REPOSADO: Cooked agave taste notes, and aromas of wooden, dried fruits, nuts, vanilla and most soil.
Disclaimer: Bourbon & Banter acquired a pattern of this product from the model for assessment. We recognize their willingness to permit us to assessment their merchandise with no strings connected. Thanks.
