Manuscrito Cuento Corto

I’ve never been much of a ‘book person’, but I love a great story. Manuscrito’s new special edition Cuento Corto 50% blanco is like curling up with a good book you can enjoy with your taste buds.  Books are for nerds, but this ‘spirited’ story is an adventure in flavor you can’t put down.

Cuento Corto means ‘short story', but that description detracts from one of its best features, a long and delicious finish. The final lingering tastes and mouthfeel are luxurious.  The texture is silky and has an oiliness that coats the palate exceptionally well. It’s very interesting that this is a barrel-rested blanco which kind of continues the ‘short story’ concept.  In this case, the agave had barely enough time to kiss the barrel before the story ends. 

From the first sip it’s an explosion of flavors; rich cooked agave and American Oak attack boldly and light up the palate with intensity.  A unique blend of mild cinnamon and spicy black pepper unify into a plot twist that is exceptional, memorable, and delicious. The 50% ABV really lets the flavors deliver a jaw dropping performance without a lot of extraneous alcohol notes. The delicate vanilla and caramel barrel notes collaborate well with the light vegetal sweetness, surprisingly deep minerality, and unexpected earthiness.  All of those complex flavors create a huge action scene that plays out across your palate as the exceptional finish turns the final page. 

Master Distiller Oscar Vasquez Camarena is the author putting this Tequila tale in the bottle at El Sabino, NOM 1643.  His background as a Master Chemist shines through on the balanced yet complex and huge flavor pops that are as enjoyable as a surprise ending in a ‘whodunnit’.  I can’t wait for the next short story from Manuscrito to keep my palate thoroughly entertained.

Nose:  cooked agave / earthiness that could be perceived as a very faint smoke note / pepper / hint of cut grass / hint of dried fruit / citrus / bell pepper / brine

Taste:  sweet cooked agave / mild cinnamon / bold black pepper / hint of vanilla / vegetal / hint of green apple / dried fruit / citrus / bell pepper / black tea / earth / minerals 

Finish:  very heavy viscosity and fantastic oiliness cover the entire palate and allow the massive cinnamon and pepper bomb to linger until a fresh and spicy minty note takes over / the end of the sip leaves an incredible and luxurious mouthfeel that is hard to beat