http://www.tequila.net/ http://www.tequila.net/images/stories/tequila_rss.gif http://www.tequila.net/ 200-2341 http://www.tequila.net/sotol-reviews/anejos/hacienda-de-chihuahua-sotol-anejo.html Around the turn of the century when we were concerned about agave shortages I decided to try Sotol. I purchased a bottle from a distributor in Old Town San Diego. I had low expectations, but was actually pleasantly surprised. Somewhere between Mescal and Tequila I enjoyed the initial taste (perhaps because of my expectations). Has an earthy flavor, but not too spicy. Its not tequila so as long as you have realistic expectations you may appreciate the subtle differences. Definitely worth a try, I think you would like it. ]]> Sun, 11 Mar 2012 03:55:41 -0400 200-2243 http://www.tequila.net/sotol-reviews/anejos/hacienda-de-chihuahua-sotol-anejo.html An excellent spirit (sotol) for the price. Full of flavor, with a mild spiciness. It's got a more earthy flavor than traditional anejos, but I like that - a lot. It's got a little bite at the end and the aroma isn't as nice as many other great tequilas I've had. But at this price (it goes for under $30 where I live), it's about as good as you'll find. Plus, you get a history lesson on Mexican spirits when you buy a bottle! ]]> Fri, 20 Jan 2012 23:23:17 -0500 46-2222 http://www.tequila.net/sotol-reviews/reposados/hacienda-de-chihuahua-sotol-reposado.html Aroma - Sweet with grassy & nutty undertones and a bit of alcohol. Initial Taste - Earth, not at all bitter with a little bit of agave-like sweetness, but different than tequila. Body - Medium Finish - A bit of pleasant alcohol burn and a tiny bit of sweetness. Overall a very enjoyable drink for the price point of $25. The bottle is simple yet very cool as well. I'd recommend this to someone looking for a new hard liquor. ]]> Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:29:39 -0500 200-2221 http://www.tequila.net/sotol-reviews/anejos/hacienda-de-chihuahua-sotol-anejo.html It's like tequila's less athletic cousin. Still a lot of agave characteristics, but a more "grassy" taste than the overall sweetness of agave. A very smooth brand with a nice aroma, medium body and a smooth pleasant finish. The price was right at $25 at Hi Time as well. It's not tequila, but it's a nice drink if you want a little change of pace. ]]> Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:25:48 -0500 1588-2124 http://www.tequila.net/sotol-reviews/liqueurs-flavored/hacienda-de-chihuahua-crema-de-sotol.html Tried this product on 11-11-2011 in Ottawa Canada at a wine show... taste on the mouth excellent this is a rich cream drink and the hint of pecan is not overwhelming, good with ice or without. Would buy this and serve it to friends. Watched several women taste the product and it was clear 90% or more had very positive reactions to the taste and texture. This will be a winner in Ontario if priced right, there was no price set at the show availability to be by December 2011. This will be lovely drink when ice fishing, perfect to put the black bottle in the snow and sit in the sun. ]]> Sat, 12 Nov 2011 13:52:31 -0500 415-2073 http://www.tequila.net/sotol-reviews/reposados/mesteno-sotol-reposado.html I'm a sotol newbie, so my comments should be taken in that context. This was the first sotol I've ever had, so I didn't know what to expect. I thought the drink was not as sugar-cane sweet as I had feared, though it is a tad on the sweet side, indeed. Nose-to-finish, the Mesteno Reposado held up pretty well in terms of consistency. I didn't hate it, as a long-time tequila drinker, it seemed more like a "light," inexpensive tequila more than a $30's-plus one...the alcohol content says, "38%" on the bottle. Would I go back to this one for another purchase. No, I would not. I hope to give HCD a try next. ]]> Sun, 18 Sep 2011 23:11:40 -0400 1267-2050 http://www.tequila.net/sotol-reviews/blancos/don-cuco-sotol-suave.html Aroma: Very similar to the Tradicional, but milder on the nose. Initial taste: Iodine, grass, smoke, citrus, coriander, and pepper. Body: Semi-oily with a wonderful mouthfeel. Intensely complex with a load of flavors dancing around. Finish: Iodine and smoke leads to grass and citrus which leads to spice and pepper with mild hint of toasted almonds on the background. Smooth, smooth, smooth. This one may be too easy to drink and acts as a fantastic late-afternoon precursor to a meal. This may be one of the most fun and enjoyable spirits I've ever had. Scotch whisky drinkers will find a lot to like with this one. ]]> Wed, 24 Aug 2011 22:30:02 -0400 1268-2049 http://www.tequila.net/sotol-reviews/blancos/don-cuco-sotol-tradicional.html Aroma: Rawhide, leather, smoke, grass, citrus, earth. Initial taste: Iodine (similar to Islay single malts), citrus, and earth flavors come on dry. Body: Viscous, rich, and complex body that develops sweetly. Smoke, citrus, and pepper. Finish: Vegetal finish with smoke and iodine lingering. Incredibly smooth. Sotol isn't for everyone's taste, but this one is a proper introduction to the spirit. Deliciously complex. ]]> Wed, 24 Aug 2011 22:24:26 -0400 200-1831 http://www.tequila.net/sotol-reviews/anejos/hacienda-de-chihuahua-sotol-anejo.html Bought My first bottle in Dec.2010. From the first sip I know I had found a great drink. It was light, refreshing and very smooth. To drink it any way other than neat should be a sin. Since then I went ahead and bought a case. You can never have to much of a good thing. Remember Sotol is not a tequila. It is only 76 proof but are you drinking it for the alc. or for the taste? ]]> Fri, 18 Feb 2011 22:55:19 -0500 46-1777 http://www.tequila.net/sotol-reviews/reposados/hacienda-de-chihuahua-sotol-reposado.html Very smooth, but then it's only 38% ALC. My friends have tried it up against $50 bottles of Anejo's tequilas, and they say this Sotol is in that league. ]]> Sat, 01 Jan 2011 19:29:29 -0500 201-1538 http://www.tequila.net/sotol-reviews/blancos/hacienda-de-chihuahua-sotol-plata.html I had to remind myself I am tasting a wild agave and not a 100% blue agave tequila.. I wanted to try this because of recommendations from friends. Aside from the very pleasant aroma, this wasn't a pleasurable experience for me, and mostly bitter from beginning to end. I tried to keep my ratings based on it's own wild agave qualities..But to be perfectly honest, thats tough to do. Im not a huge fan of mescal, and this only perpetuates it.. If you like more alcohol presence, bitterness throughout, and a pungent finish. This is is the way to go. If you like mescal, this is great. But it's just not for me. ]]> Fri, 21 May 2010 01:49:51 -0400 200-1409 http://www.tequila.net/sotol-reviews/anejos/hacienda-de-chihuahua-sotol-anejo.html bought 3/1/10, paid $35, sampled out of a 6 oz shot glass neat. Light straw color, leaves very fast tears, minimal oil, will tend to consolidate on the glass very quickly, this tells me too much water has been added. The nose is indicative of the overall experience, bland. It has a minimal nose, I couldn't smell the agave or alcohol, only vanilla. I almost spit it out at first, thought I was drinking a glass of water! This should be called "light" tequila. There is a good tequila in there but they need to take the hose away. Further investigation confirms that it is 38% alc. or 76 proof. Most tequila's are 80 proof. I like the bottle, seems to be made with attention to detail. This stuff is ok for a tequila newby, but for those of you who drink/sip tequila for its infinite complexities and character... you can do better. ]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:02:19 -0500 200-1254 http://www.tequila.net/sotol-reviews/anejos/hacienda-de-chihuahua-sotol-anejo.html When you realize this isn't "tequila" then the tastes are great. Very very earthy and grassy you can taste the desert spoon plant that it is made from. Very very complex taste. Strong citrus flavor, good finish and no burn. ]]> Sun, 30 Aug 2009 10:41:03 -0400 415-742 http://www.tequila.net/sotol-reviews/reposados/mesteno-sotol-reposado.html Very low price. Unfortunately, this is not one hundred percent pure sotol. I was lucky enough to buy this at a fair in Mexico. Initial smell is very light. The taste is average at best. I was stunned by the bad aftertaste. I soon learned that it is because this product is sotol mixed with sugars. I also tried Fiesta which is also produced by Hacienda. Very low quality and also not pure sotol. I was surprised that Hacienda, which makes a very very good sotol, was behind these products. It was a representative a Hacienda that told me that these products contained other additives. Truly disappointed. Mesteno is good for a young drinker or someone on a tight budget. ]]> Mon, 04 Aug 2008 22:54:58 -0400 46-657 http://www.tequila.net/sotol-reviews/reposados/hacienda-de-chihuahua-sotol-reposado.html It's not your fathers "tequila". this is the most complex taste. It starts of very smooth, then a creamy chocolate caramel flavor and then finishes off with a peppery bite. Very flavorful, something most of todays "tequilas" are sadly lacking! I'm looking forward to trying the H5 extra anjeo ]]> Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:57:08 -0400 201-650 http://www.tequila.net/sotol-reviews/blancos/hacienda-de-chihuahua-sotol-plata.html Truly an original drink. Nice smoky flavor. Earthy and smooth. ]]> Mon, 16 Jun 2008 13:39:48 -0400 201-549 http://www.tequila.net/sotol-reviews/blancos/hacienda-de-chihuahua-sotol-plata.html Tasted in a caballito on April 3, 2008 showing lasting legs on the glass. Sotol Hacienda De Chihuahua Plata Color: clear Aroma: citrus Taste: citrus peel & rinds with a mint taste, a light mouthfeel and slight burn finish This was an accidental first experience tasting a Sotol. I was at the liquor store and recognized the bottle, though did not realize it was a Sotol rather than Tequila. I am not a big fan now of Sotol as it tasted very bitter to me neat and even the bitterness came through in cocktails. ]]> Fri, 04 Apr 2008 03:33:11 -0400 415-442 http://www.tequila.net/sotol-reviews/reposados/mesteno-sotol-reposado.html Mesteno Sotol Reposado. I purchased this sotol mixto @ Licores de Chihuahua on a recent trip to Juarez & on the recommendation of the proprietor. I should have invested in HDC instead. The color is light amber with slight green tones. With the exception of the smell of alcohol, the nose was almost nonexistent. The first taste was reminiscent of agavecea with a sweetness due to the cane spirits & alcohol burn. The experience does get a little better with more of the agavecea taste opening up through the somewhat rapid finish. It all ends up being smoother than I initially thought which was probably due to the fact that me estomago was becoming numbed over the tasting period. Do not confuse this product with the fine spirits of HDC or the Bronze Medal on the label. Inexpensive @ best. Bottom shelf. D-/D ]]> Sat, 05 Jan 2008 03:27:16 -0500 46-425 http://www.tequila.net/sotol-reviews/reposados/hacienda-de-chihuahua-sotol-reposado.html Hacienda de Chihuahua Sotol Reposado. This sotol is light amber in color with long legs. The nose is slightly woody with some traces of alcohol, chemicals, & rather light in character. The initial taste is warm spice with a nice glowing sensation & slightly nutty. The body is medium with some spicy wood carrying over & a nutty aftertaste. This reposado has a nice open finish, encompassing the entire mouth, & ending with a hint of vanilla. HDC reposado is smooth but not quite as smooth as the plata which surprised me. Taking all things into consideration especially the $, this is a great way to experience a different, relative of tequila, Mexican spirit & not spend nearly as much dinero! ]]> Fri, 21 Dec 2007 14:37:44 -0500 201-416 http://www.tequila.net/sotol-reviews/blancos/hacienda-de-chihuahua-sotol-plata.html Hacienda de Chihuahua Sotol Plata. I had to remind myself I was reviewing a 100% wild harvested Agavacea & not tequila. There are some similarities but many differences. The color is pure crystal, like high mountain spring water. The rather undistinguished nose was slightly chemical with a small hint of alcohol. The initial taste was spicy with a nutty aftertaste & warm afterglow. I found this sotol to be light to medium light in body with some sweetness & low alcohol. The finish was very open, almost like menthol, with some bitterness & hints of licorice fading away. Overall it was suprisingly smooth for being so young. If you want to try something different & not pay tequila $$$, I highly recommend sotol. Try a Sotolrita instead of a Margarita, or a 50/50 mix, for a nice refreshing change. A-. ]]> Sat, 08 Dec 2007 17:10:13 -0500