EZdrinking

Spirit Reviews, Tasting Events and Consulting

Searching for the world's best drinks and what makes them extraordinary. EZdrinking is a drinks blog by Eric Zandona that focuses on distilled spirits, wine, craft beer and specialty coffee. Here you can find reviews of drinks, drink books, articles about current & historical trends, as well as how to make liqueurs, bitters, and other spirit based drinks at home.

Filtering by Tag: Agave Tequilana

Review: Miel de Tierra Añejo Mezcal

Free sample bottled provided by Preiss Imports.

AT A GLANCE

  • Owned by: Miel de Tierra

  • Distilled by: Doña Teresa Rubio Murillo in Jalpa, Zacateca

  • Agave: Tequilana Weber Azul

  • Cooking: Autoclave

  • Crush: Roller Mill

  • Fermentation: Stainless Steel Vats

  • Still Type: Copper Alembic Pot Still

  • Age Statement: 2-5 Years

  • Spirit Type: Añejo Mezcal Artesanal

  • Strength: 40% ABV

  • Price: $65

Miel de Tierra Añejo Mezcal Artesanal is distilled by maestra mezcalera Doña Teresa Rubio Murillo in Jalpa, Zacateca. The agaves are harvested at 10 years old and then cooked in autoclave. The cooked piñas are then crushed with a mechanical grinder, before being fermented in stainless steel vats with a commercial yeast. Given the flavor profile, my guess is the juice is being fermented without the fibers. After fermentation, the must is double distilled in a copper alembic pot stills and the spirit is aged in virgin white oak casks. Doña Teresa then selects casks that had aged between two and five years, vatts them together, and proofs the spirit to 40% ABV before bottling. The town of Jalpa is just 40 miles from the border of Jalisco, so given its proximity, it is not surprising that this mezcal is made almost identically to may añejo tequilas. According to the brand, Miel de Tierra shares a portion of the profits from every bottle sold in helping to conserve wild honeybees in rural Mexico.

TASTING NOTES

Nose: The nose has a lot of wood character, which is not surprising given its age. The aroma consist primarily of sweet aromas of caramel followed by light spicy notes from the oak, and a hint of black licorice.

Palate: On the palate, the flavor has a delicate character from the wood with virtually no flavors from the agave.

Finish: Wood notes of vanilla, caramel oak slowly fade on the finish and ends very soft and light.

Conclusion: Miel de Tierra Añejo is a bit of a disappointment in that all the agave character seems to have been lost during the maturation process. Given how it is made, my guess is that blanco spirit is so clean and well made that, what are probably very delicate flavors and aromas in the joven just get lost in the two plus year of aging. Because of this most fans of mezcal will probably not be excited by this. However, at $65 this is still a pretty good deal for an añejo and would likely appeal to a large number of Tequila drinkers who prefer smooth and sweet añejos without much agave character.

For more information watch my review with Mike Morales on Tequila Aficionado’s Sipping off the Cuff.

Miel de Tierra Añejo Mezcal Artesanal Review | Tequila Aficionado Sipping off the Cuff

Review: Aguamiel Tequila Blanco

Free sample bottled provided by Stewart Group.

AT A GLANCE

  • Owned by: Stewart Group Inc.

  • Distilled by: Destiladora del Valle de Tequila (NOM 1438) in Tequila, Mexico

  • Cooking: Brick Ovens

  • Crush: Roller Mills

  • Fermentation: Stainless Steel

  • Still Type: Copper Pot Still

  • Spirit Type: 100% Agave Blanco Tequila

  • Strength: 40% ABV

  • Price: $30

Aguamiel Tequila Blanco is a 100% agave tequila from Destiladora del Valle de Tequila NOM 1438. According to the brand, the tequila is produced from 8 year old blue agave, roasted in brick ovens for two days, crushed using a roller mill, fermented, double distilled in copper pots, and then proofed to 40% ABV.

Tasting Notes

Nose: On the nose the tequila has great bright aromas of tropical fruit, ripe mango, and lime leaf, supported by notes of honey and cooked agave.

Palate: At first sip the flavor starts strong, and then fades somewhat in the middle. Overall the flavor has a nice balance between cooked agave and a nice mineral character.

Finish: The finish is light with pleasant aromas of pineapple, lime leaves and a little minerality.

Conclusion: Aguamiel Tequila Blanco is a pleasant 100% agave tequila that is equally enjoyable to drink neat or use in a cocktail like a margarita or paloma.

For more information watch my review with Mike Morales on Tequila Aficionado’s Sipping off the Cuff.

Aguamiel Tequila Blanco Review | Tequila Aficionado Sipping off the Cuff.