Final review in the Don Pablo mystery series. The rarity of the spirits and their consistent high quality is more than I could've imagined. Pretty safe bet that I wouldn't have run into any of these spirits with his generosity. Experiencing them blind has been extremely educational.
This one turned out to be Bacanora. It's my first time learning about the spirit or tasting it. So I'll let Mezcal Reviews do the heavy lifting:
"Bacanora production dates back to at least the 1600s with the Native Opata interacting with the Spanish and their stills. There’s a chance that distillation in Sonora dates back farther than that, but that seems uncertain. The spirit of Bacanora was declared illegal in 1915, and it remained illegal for 77 years, until 1992.
The Mexican government granted Bacanora with a Denomination Of Origin in the year 2000, and NOM regulations were established in 2005. According to the rules outlined in the NOM, only agave Angustifolia Haw (also known as maguey Pacifica) can be used to produce Bacanora. In 2006, the Bacanora Regulatory Council was created in the state of Sonora to regulate, standardize, and commercialize the industry. Currently, there are thirty-six municipalities within the state of Sonora where the agave Angustifolia Haw must be grown, harvested, and distilled in order to be considered a Bacanora. The Sonoran desert extends north into Arizona, all the way up to Tucson, where Bacanora was once produced in the late 1800s and early 1900s."
Nose: Expressive and bright. Floral honey. Vanilla. A little soapy. Pear. Beeswax. Pie crust.
Flavor: Floral and fruity again. Honey. Herbal cola. Lemon. Orange rind. Rubber (blows off after half the glass).
Structure: Soft/mellow. Dips a little sweet and dries out. Mostly in an approachable mid-range.
Alcohol Integration: Drinks like 90-95 proof. Soft texture with decent weight. Gets a little chemically in the nose and finish.
Score: 6 (Solid) Enjoyed it. Reminds me of Calle 23 Criollo with all the fruit and florals - just missing a gear or two. The chemical/rubber/soapy notes distract at times.
Reveal: Marques de Sonora Bacanora - 47%
Post Reveal: Had the misconception that Bacanora was smokier/earthier. Really excited by all the bright notes.
Rating System
10 - Reevaluate The Budget
9 - Stash Two (If Able)
8 - Stash One (At The Right Price)
7 - Highly Recommend It To Strangers
6 - Solid - Above Average
5 - Acceptable For The Situation
4 - Not Vocally Complaining
3 - Wish I Was Drinking Something Else
2 - Nothing Nice To Say
1 - Drain Pour