For me, the aroma and taste is utterly delicious, truly gourmand. I could sip this while eating well-seasoned steaks, fish, and chicken. I loved the smokiness that reminded me of the smell and taste of mesquite while the spice seemed perfectly balanced. The minerality blends seamlessly into the total profile, and while I couldn’t detect agave, I didn’t expect to. I don’t hold it against this drink at all because it deserves its own category. I would gladly have this stocked in my pantry to complement my summer barbecues.

For me, this particular drink is simply too spicy to enjoy neat. While I cook with habaneros and truly relish their heat and flavor in food, this infused tequila doesn't strike me as something I’d pair with a meal. Perhaps with vanilla bean ice cream, though, I could imagine the heat contrasting intriguingly with the sweetness for a nuanced, unexpected pairing. That said, I do think this tequila has a place, with its unique intensity carving out a niche for those who crave something bold and different. It feels like it belongs in a category all its own.

I once had a homebrew jalapeño-infused tequila that I found completely off-putting—far too hot and overwhelming. This time around, though, this infused tequila has truly changed my perspective. The aroma is surprisingly enticing with its fresh, vegetal jalapeño character and earthy tones, all while a fresh petrichor note lingers in the background. The taste is bold and spicy, yet fresh, with a distinct hint of cheese. Just as the heat begins to seem like too much, it eases slightly but never completely fades. The heat stays with you throughout the entire experience, sticking to the tongue in a way that's both exciting and lasting. While I wouldn’t sip it neat regularly, and I feel it deserves a category of its own, I’d gladly welcome it into a spicy margarita, repeatedly.

The aroma was fresh and citrusy, with an alluring petrichor dominance that made me wonder why I hadn’t been drinking this sooner. The taste carried that same petrichor essence, complemented by bold grassiness reminiscent of green agave, a touch of sweetness, mint, and refreshing citrus. It’s incredibly fresh, uncomplicated, and simply delicious. The slightly higher proof adds to its appeal, making it an easy choice for a casual Blanco sipper. I was pleasantly surprised by its straightforwardness and how enjoyable it was.

Nose: cooked agave, citrus, hint of banking spices, and wet earth Flavor: cooked agave, lime, earthy, spice, with a creamy mouth feel Finish: sweet cinnamon, black pepper, long finish Paired well with the enchiladas with a tomatillo sauce

Tanteo Blanco 42.5%ABV - 85 proof - The nose is clean. There’s a nice mix of cooked and fresh agave that’s carried by some light alcohol vapors. There’s an ever so slight sweet floral note and just a hint of a green vegetal note. It’s a nice simple blanco nose without any distractions. There’s some initial sweetness from the cooked agave and then the cooked agave itself arrives before. It’s dense on the palate and it has some salinity and minerals. The proof shows up as white pepper and clean jalapeño capsaicin. Overall this is a solid blanco that can be an everyday sipper but it will also do very well in a cocktail.