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Category: Blanco / Silver

Pasote Blanco Tequila

Posted on April 22, 2022April 21, 2022 by Nick
Pasote Blanco Tequila

Pasote Blanco Tequila

Pasote Blanco Tequila is one of those products that if you went to the website and tried to learn more about it, you’d end up concluding it was just another tequila.  The webpage informs you that they craft their tequila with rain water, blue agave tequila grown in the highlands, and (also) spring water.   The bottle is guarded by guerreros (a reference to aztec warriors that isn’t clearly explained).  Does any of that make you want to buy a bottle for $42?

Fortunately, there’s a good number of enthusiasts in online communities who’ve had favorable things to say about tequila, so how does it shake out?

Pasote Blanco Tequila

Sight: Clear

Smell:  Cinnamon apples and hibiscus flowers pop out immediately.  Notes of roasted agave and lime follow, with a slight smokiness and a grapefruit zest character.   There’s also an almost brown sugar like note with plenty of tropical fruit backing it up.

Sip:  It starts out spicy and builds with black pepper, cinnamon, clove, and roasted spice notes.   The agave and citrus start to kick in, and ripe tropical fruit and slight vanilla sugar tones join them.  There’s a touch of salinity and a very herbaceous character begins to build with hints of smoke.

Savor:  The ending is more spice, smoke, and roasted agave notes with plenty of almost cinnamon sugar.

Pasote Blanco Tequila is a bold and somewhat spicy tequila.   The flavors of spice are the dominate characterestics, but it does a have a bit of sweetness that contrasts against more of the earthy elements.    The roasty agave flavors are a good foil to some of the tropical and citrus notes.   The net mix is a bit sporadic in its presentation, but the flavors are overall delicious, even for sipping.

In Cocktails

Pasote Blanco Tequila passes along its spice and roasted notes along to a Paloma in a balanced but firm way.  The roasted notes even give it a slight smoke character, while the fruitiness compliments the grapefruit soda.    The subtle lime and salinity work well to give it a long and refreshing finish.  In a margarita, the sweetness of the orange bounces off the smokiness and spice of the tequila.  The result is a smooth and silky margarita that leans into a savory meaty flavor with heavy touches of caramel, vanilla, and spice.  The flavor is almost earthy, and lingers.

In Review – Pasote Blanco Tequila

Pasote Blanco Tequila

Pasote Blanco Tequila is versatile and bold.  It plays well in both cocktails and on it’s own.   The flavors are complex, if slightly less subtle than some of the other tequilas we’ve tasted.  The result though is a tequila that balances notes of spice, smoke, and citrus in a way that no one element seems to show up repetitively.  While it costs a bit more, the quality is strongly there at a price in the low $40 and is arguably worth paying for.

Posted in Blanco / Silver, Spirits, TequilaTagged 3 Badge Mixology, Jalisco, Mexico, Nom 1579, PasoteLeave a Comment on Pasote Blanco Tequila

Cenote Blanco Tequila

Posted on April 8, 2022 by Nick
Cenote Blanco Tequila

Cenote Tequila Blanco

Cinco de Mayo is right around the corner, and that means it’s Tequila season!  Last year we went through four tequilas, and this year we’re adding in a newcomer, Cenote Blanco Tequila.  Named after the swimming holes that are created by the collapse of limestone, Cenote features reverse osmosis filtered water from an artisan well by the base of a Volcano on their property.  The water is paired with 100% blue agave that are grown to a minimum age of 6 – 7 years, and distilled in both copper and stainless steel pot stills.  For their blanco tequila, the resulting spirit is aged 3 weeks in American oak to help mellow it.

Cenote Blanco Tequila

Sight:  Clear

Smell:  Notes of black pepper, green bell pepper, agave, and citrus come together in a harmonious and bright mix.   Notes of vanilla and resinous pine hide in the background with a plethora of other green vegetable hints.

Sip:   Starting off smooth, it opens with lime, black pepper, and agave notes. A touch of vanilla and a bit of cedar get together, and give way to some additional spice.    The citrus notes continue to evolve as it goes adding earth, char, and a touch of yeast.

Savor:  The ending is more citrus and pepper and char.  The length continues with a dry yeastiness and charred agave.

Cenote Blanco Tequila is definitely leaning into the drier, citrus and green vegetable side of tequila.  Ultimately, the flavor profile is very balanced, and the smoothness keeps it easy to drink.  The flavors aren’t super in your face either, so you can pensively explore each sip.  This is a nice set of flavors for those looking to upgrade and try something more conservative.

In Cocktails

In a Margarita the Cenote boosts the lime and citrus notes to the forefront while letting the sweetness stay balanced.  The agave notes play around in the background and give it a distinct flavor.  Despite the sweetness that’s present on palate, it’s very dry on the finish.  There’s a very pointed agave funk kind of ending with a healthy dose of black pepper.  This flavor profile can make it a little challenging in cocktails, especially for those used to fruitier, less agave and vegetable forward tequilas.

In Review – Cenote Blanco Tequila

Cenote Tequila Blanco Bottle

Cenote Blanco Tequila is a balanced tequila with a drier profile than other mass market offerings.  The no additive nature and moderate price point makes this an attractive choice for tequila fans looking to branch out into more restrained tastes.   We recommend this as an expansion bottle for your bar, but it might be a little intimidating as a starter.

Posted in Blanco / Silver, Spirits, TequilaTagged Jalisco, Mexico, NOM 1472, Stoli GroupLeave a Comment on Cenote Blanco Tequila

Sauza Silver Tequila

Posted on January 2, 2020 by Nick
Sauza Silver Tequila

Sauza Silver Tequila

Sauza Silver Tequila is not labeled as a 100% Blue Agave tequila.  As far as Tequila goes there’s both 100% blue agave and the other stuff, mixto.   No tequila company is going go out of the way to tell you they’ve made a mixto, and for good reason.  Let’s start with how tequila is made.

Tequila is made in the area surrounding Tequila, Mexico.  To make Tequila, blue agave plants are harvested, roasted, broken down, and then pressed. The resulting juice is then fermented and later distilled. For silver tequilas these tequilas are then bottled.  Alternatively, they can be aged in wood barrels to mellow the flavors.

By law to be labeled 100% Blue Agave – Tequila must be made from 100% Blue Agave.  Mixto by contrast can contain up to 49% other distillate (such as sugar).  It can also contain colors and other additives to help make sure it seems closer to real 100% blue agave Tequilas.

Sauza Silver Tequila with Margarita

So is Sauza Silver Tequila Any Good and How Does It Do In Cocktails?

In a Margarita, the Sauza tends to hide.  The nose is slightly floral and has a nice spice to it.  The flavor starts out very bright and moves forward into slight sweetness and a touch of orange.  The tequila is somewhat peppery and floral in here – and has a hint of spice.   A strong lime ending runs through the end and the tequila comes forward slightly and the finish hints at candied orange.

In a side by side it doesn’t compete as directly on the tequila note.  Instead the lime and Cointreau stand out over the tequila.  In a blind tasting, it was the lightest of the lightly aged tequila, boarding on grain spirit.

If you happen to find tequila’s flavor too strong, you might happen to like Sauza, however, serious tequila fans will find it somewhat boring.    In a cocktail it also might hide in the drink, rather than stand up correctly the way you’re looking for it to while making a new cocktail.

Looking for For Info?

  • Sauza’s Website
  • Honest Booze Reviews give their opinion – and it’s a treat.
Posted in Blanco / Silver, Spirits, TequilaTagged Jalisco, Mexico, SauzaLeave a Comment on Sauza Silver Tequila
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