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.

Truly an original drink. Nice smoky flavor. Earthy and smooth.

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.

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-.