Sotol Por Siempre

My first sotol, but i’ve acclimated over the first 20% of the bottle. A semi-impulse buy while browsing for mezcal (thanks high Distiller ratings!). On the nose, a crisp waft of mesquite smoke. Chalk. Lime rind. Yucca? A bit medicinal and antiseptic. Clean and dry. Medium-high viscosity. The flavors flash intensely, and only then begin to evolve. The palate is sharp with unaged spirit, but no harshness... just an electrifying vibrancy. The curtain raises with that same clean and dry (not oily) smoke followed by a brief simple syrup sweetness. Then a huge vegetal, coppery tang puckers the whole mouth with bitter lemon oils drying the cheeks and prevails for minutes, fading ever so slowly while adding limestone alkali. There is an unusual, unsalted meatiness that sets in... not the chewy ham of some Scotches, more of a chickeny flavor - perhaps alligator or rattlesnake. Something that was cooked in unseasoned cast iron, where the metal taste leeches in. The mouth waters throughout from the tanginess and minerality, and just begs you to take another sip. What a challenging and exciting pour. Perhaps moreso than any other spirit I’ve had, this screams of terrior - not just a sensory experience, but transcendental. This stuff damn near teleports you to the Mexican desert, and certainly feels out of place in my current midwestern winter. I can actually see and feel myself in the high desert, the day’s sweat dried into my dusty clothes, with nothing but nature, sky, and solitude for miles and miles. That just feels right. Cheers all. Try some if you haven’t... definitely won’t be for everybody, maybe even me. I’m both enamored and terrified of this stuff.

This is one of those spirits I only recommend trying if you are passionate about trying things that are VERY unique and different. I have gone through about half my bottle and still can't decide if I 'like' it. Its an EXPERIENCE! I also have only tried it neat and chilled. Perhaps there is a cocktail out there it really shines in. The flavors of wet hay, grass, and clay rocks are so strong that more than any other spirit I've tried it really transports you to another place. That place is the desert. Try closing your eyes, sipping it, and see if it happens for you. Just for perspective my ex-girlfriend says its the worst thing she's ever tried ;). Mezcal and Scotch feel tame compared to this. The finish and lingering flavors after a sip will last for a good 10-15 mins. I don't regret buying a bottle. It's definitely expanded my understanding of spirits in a positive way.

Earth and citrus on the nose, with a little wet cement. Palate is like slap in the face with sweet lime followed by less intense earth and minerality. Finish is earthy minerality with a hint of smoke. An excellent spirit, easily worth the $50 I paid for it. There’s a funky note (don’t know how else to describe it) present throughout, but not in a bad way. I’d highly recommend this to someone, particularly if you want something sweet but unusual and different.

Unbelievable how much flavor is in this thing, and very distinctive. The flavor is very heavily hay, pitting soil & river rocks, a little bit of funk with a mineraly finish. Occasionally I got a bit of pineapple and dry smoke. It is impressive how rich & complex it is but I can’t imagine getting though a bottle of this, It’s a little too much for me.

12.20.22 Served: Neat, Rocks Glass Bottle open: Unknown (bar) Last intake: Rye Whiskey Aroma: Blue cheese olives, vegetal, basil, plum wine. Flavor: Sweet, smooth, earthy, smokey, cocoa. Surprisingly smooth and non-piquant. Gentle on the tongue, but plenty of character. Dangerously easy to drink neat.

I could sip this forever! I highly recommend this if you enjoy sipping tequila or mezcal! The tasting notes listed on the professional review are dead I did pick up a little papaya skin profiles on aroma and palate.