Cielo Rojo Bacanora Blanco

T April 17, 2011
 
0
 
91 (2)
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Cielo Rojo Bacanora Blanco

Other Spirits

Brand Name
Category
Type
Product Region
Sonora, Mexico
Oven Type
Distillation Method
Distillations
Alcohol Volume
Tasting Awards
2011 TEQUILA.net Awards - "Best of the Best"
Best Agave Spirit - Other
2011 TEQUILA.net Awards - Best of the Best

Cielo Rojo Bacanora Blanco

Cielo Rojo Bacanora Blanco is a rare, sublime wild Silvestre Maguey Agave spirit made in limited small batches, on the rustic family ranchero, just as it was prepared four centuries ago in Northern Sonora, Mexico. The wild Agaves are harvested after labor-intensive foraging, in steep canyons in the Sierra Madres, and then packed out by burro at the Roberto Contreras 25,000 acre racho Tepua. The wild Agaves are roasted in traditional clay and rock earthen ovens in the ground, and then given a careful, unusually long fermentation, marrying wild yeasts with nuances of select Agave juices. The resulting spirit is then double distilled in very small copper pot stills (alembicas) with a slow distillation, ensuring herbaceous aromas.

Illegal from 1915 to 1992 in Mexico and the USA, Bacanora has a wonderful back-story: the undiscovered 3rd sister of the trinity: mezcal, tequila and bacanora. Cielo Rojo is the first premium bacanora (effective Feb. 2011) to be imported into the USA, from the Baviacora-Aconchi-Banamichi appellation of the Rio Sonora-Sierra Madre Mountain region. Using only earth, fire, wild yeasts, pure spring-fed water, and wild Agaves, this is perhaps the purest spirit on the planet. The hand blown glass bottle is made from recycled glass with a label depicting the sacred rancho Tepua mountain.

Photo by Tequila.net



User reviews

2 reviews
Overall rating
 
91
Aroma-Nose
 
93(2)
Initial Taste
 
92(2)
Body
 
87(2)
Finish
 
93(2)
Enjoyability
 
93(2)
Price
 
93(2)
Presentation
 
92(2)
Overall rating
 
89
Aroma-Nose
 
90
Initial Taste
 
91
Body
 
89
Finish
 
87
Enjoyability
 
88
Price
 
90
Presentation
 
90
My first experience with Bacanora and it was an interesting trip.

Aroma: Grassy/sweet agave with a hint of smoke and citrus
Initial Taste: Sweet with a little citrus and grassy notes.
Body: Medium-thin body. Smoke comes more forward and grassy/earthy notes become more prominent than the initial sweetness.
Finish: Medium-long that tastes like a grass fire. The smoke dominates the vegetal notes and there is a lingering touch of citrusy sweetness.

A little bit of tequila and a little bit of mezcal. The flavors took me a bit by surprise at each point as well. Definitely a spirit I'd be interested in exploring more.
TT
#1 Reviewer 414 reviews
Report this review Comments (0) | Was this review helpful? 2 0
Overall rating
 
93
Aroma-Nose
 
96
Initial Taste
 
92
Body
 
85
Finish
 
98
Enjoyability
 
97
Price
 
96
Presentation
 
93
I have sampled many locally produced Bacanoras since I moved to Banámichi and this brand is off-the-charts awesome. I have visited the distillery and I sell this by the shot and by the bottle at my hotel, restaurant and cantina. It is always a hot product with my clients and friends.
The double distillation process removes any harshness and impurities that can cause a hangover. This is the best value on the market and I would say that you will not regret any extra effort that you have to put out to acquire a bottle or two.
When I sell a shot, the guests take home a bottle. When they return, they buy as much as the law will allow. It is actually a big draw for the region and our hotel can arrange tours to the Rancho Tepúa.
D
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