Maestro Dobel‘s newest tequila is lots previous, nevertheless it isn’t a cristalino however a conventional further anejo, full with pure colour pushed from the barrel.
That is truly the second launch of Dobel’s “Atelier Tequila” Further Anejo expression, which launched final yr — and which you’ll nonetheless discover on-line. The bottles are decidedly distinctive, coming in 5 hand-painted variations (verify the picture to see what I imply), every clad in a wood field “created to honor conventional Mexican craftsmen and strategies, in artwork and in tequila.” The 2023 version pays homage to the “trajineras,” that are colourful flat-bottomed boats discovered within the canals of Xochimilco, a borough of Mexico Metropolis.
These tequilas bear no formal or casual age info save that they’re matured “in small American and Jap European oak barrels.” Further anejo tequila, by authorized definition, should be no less than 3 years previous.
So let’s dig in.
There’s loads of peppery agave on the nostril right here, the tequila showcasing a grassy earthiness that we don’t usually discover within the further anejo class. It’s in fact backed up by loads of sweeter, barrel-driven notes, layering vanilla atop the core of pepper and greenery. This works surprisingly properly, making a cohesive complete akin to a spicy dessert relatively than any sort of back-and-forth duality.
The palate shifts the main focus towards sweeter parts, vanilla custard melding with baking spices that layer in notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and a lightweight contact of toasted sesame oil. Creamy and rounded, the tequila makes room for a pinch of inexperienced peppercorn spice and a few jalapeno earlier than returning to a end that soothes with intense notes of vanilla and milk chocolate, creating one thing of a Mexican scorching chocolate character that lingers for half a minute or extra. Plus booze, in fact.
As a aspect be aware, a grievance: The thick lip on the bottle makes the rounded stopper very troublesome to take away as a result of you possibly can’t get your hand round it simply. Repair this for 2024, Dobel!
80 proof. NOM 1122.
A / $250 [BUY IT NOW FROM RESERVEBAR]