Cazcanes No. 9 Blanco

The name Cazcanes pays tribute to the Cazcan people and their history in the region. The brand emphasizes traditional production methods and lets the agave speak for itself.

Cazcanes tequila is made at the Tequilera Tap distillery (NOM 1614) in Amatitán, Jalisco.

The agave is slow-cooked and cooled for 24 hours in a low-pressure autoclave, roller-milled, fermented in open-air tanks using natural yeast, and double-distilled with copper coils.

Cazcanes goes to great lengths to truck in water from the Navichi Springs high in the Sierra Madre Occidental mountains. The water begins as rainfall and passes through layers of volcanic rock, picking up minerals along the way.

Most brands take a much more efficient approach by tapping a local well near the distillery, but Cazcanes has been transporting its natural spring water since its days at the original distillery.

Cazcanes offers three alcohol strengths in its lineup: No. 7 (80 proof), No. 9 (100 proof), and No. 10 (108 proof, still-strength). Today I’m tasting the 100-proof blanco.

Nose: Cooked agave, minerals, cinnamon, clove, citrus, and pineapple.

Taste: Cooked agave, pineapple, anise, and black pepper.

Finish: Long, with agave and lingering anise.

At 100 proof, this blanco brings plenty of depth of flavor and holds its own. It’s great neat, but it also shines in cocktails.

More from Cazcanes: All of our Cazcanes coverage, including reviews, lists, scores, and more.