Santanera Tahona 100% Agave Blanco Tequila (750ml)

Casa Santanera's founder, Pablo Lara has a family history in agave cultivation and distillation. Working against the commercial orientation of the mainstream Tequila industry, where the art of Tequila has been replaced by chemistry and mass production, his operation has become a byword for doing things right. The attention to detail extends to creating packaging and labels from recycled agave fibres, to honing in on single terroir, certified organic Tequilas. Fermentation takes place in cement tanks with agave fibers included.

The 'Tahona' Blanco is named after a kind of stone mill wheel that's traditionally used to produce Tequila. Carved from a volcanic rock, agaves crushed by a tahona are said to achieve a broader aromatic spectrum and a longer permanence of flavours in the mouth - a claim confirmed during our tasting. The opening sniffs offer plump, ripe, roasted agave aromas expressed as capsicum, menthol tobacco and fresh herbs, punctuated by spikes of white pepper. The bouquet loses some steam in the second and third passes, but the delivery makes good in a superbly creamy, full-bodied and beautifully rounded attack that has just the right touch of juicy agave sweetness, tempered by grilled lime, cinnamon bark, salted zucchini and cracked pepper in a lengthy, herbaceous finish. Its robust character, youthful vibrancy and sheer purity make Santanera's artisan effort a winner on every sensory account. Put simply, you couldn't ask for much more in a Blanco. Sip it straight like a fine single malt or take your cocktails to new heights. 41% Alc./Vol. Kosher certified.

Other reviews... Nose on this Blanco is something special, citrus notes are bright/fresh lemon-lime. Cooked agave and slight alcohol. Anise, agave, pepper, citrus and brine are all present at first sip. Finish is has long lingering pepper with brine and cooked agave on the pallet. Another amazing Blanco from NOM 1123. - tequilamatchmaker.com