Xoloitzcuintle is named after the famous Mexican hairless dog breed that is said to guide souls on their journey back to the living on Dia de Muertos.
This Xolo high proof extra añejo is aged for 5 years in American oak barrels. Like many of the aged Highland tequilas, I get a lot of fruit on the nose. There’s a mix of peaches, cherries, plums, and nectarines (stone fruits). I also detect cooked agave, light brown sugar, and some slight barrel spices. Overall, it’s a very balanced aroma with the fruit being the most prevalent note.
I taste the buttery cooked agave and some barrel notes immediately. There’s spice that hits right away, thanks to the 92 proof. The barrel notes are dark and dense. There are hints of molasses, black cherries, raw honey, figs, leather, and black pepper. There’s a dry tannic quality that I commonly get from tequilas that are aged in American oak barrels (ex-bourbon).
The higher proof helps to deliver a pleasant density of flavors and a nice, long finish. The sweetness and proof interact nicely. It’s a very pleasant sipper.
Overall, the nose is fruity and juicy, while the taste is denser and darker with a little bit of alcohol proof that delivers some spiciness.
NOM | 1545 |
|---|---|
Agave | Jalisco (Los Altos Southern) |
Cooking | Autoclave (low pressure) |
Extraction | Roller Mill |
Water | Deep well |
Fermentation | Stainless steel tanks, 100% agave |
Still | Stainless Pot w/ Copper Coil |
Age | 5 years in American Oak barrels |
ABV | 46% |
