Tequila El Rocio
Alto Canto
48%
NAS
Alto Canto, Spanish for "High Song," distills its tequila using remarkably high-altitude agaves grown at 9,000 feet above sea level. Its dedicated distillery boasts traditional brick ovens, a volcanic stone tahona, an additive-free recipe and a malolactic fermentation process. In other words, lots of tidbits to peak the interest of a discerning agave fan. This is the brand's High Proof Blanco bottled at 48% ABV.
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A buttery sweet cream note takes center stage. Underneath, wafts of roasted agave, moss, lemon rind, slate and minerality carry through plenty of welcome vegetality.
Lovely mouthfeel; not viscous, per se, but sweet and welcoming with gentle hints of vanilla, pear and honeydew. Like the nose, the overall effect leans hard into greenery, punctuated by flavors of bell peppers, mint, leeks and a touch of lactic funk usually reserved for mezcal.
Vanilla once again rears its head, followed by white pepper, cinnamon and orange zest. No ethanol burn to speak of, surprisingly so for a bottle billed as high proof.
Quite impressed by the balance on this. With so many tequilas hitting the market at 40% ABV, the small handful that go in the other direction tend to full-throttle it toward 55%. Alto Canto proves that something delicious can be made in between. This is easily the most naturally sweet, fruit-forward blanco that's come out of the current high-proof trend, and I'd love to see more just like it.
92
Disclosure: The producer provided this sample to review free of charge, and without expectation of review or rating.
