Nose: Right after the pour, it leans floral with a white wine note…grape heavy and a little sharp. Letting it sit takes that edge off, and it shifts into a softer mix of oak, caramel, vanilla, and just enough agave. Palate & Mouthfeel: That first sip out the gate (before letting it breath), still rides the white wine notes, and not in a good way - likely the French oak talking. But once it has time to settle (give it 15 minutes), it finds its footing. The agave comes forward, oak shows up clean and balanced, and there’s a nice touch of baking spice and pepper that gives it some structure. Finish: Cinnamon, black pepper, and a little agave linger in a way that feels unforced. Nothing flashy, just steady and warm. Final Thoughts: Let it breathe and it rewards you. Straight off the pour, it’s a little weird…enough to make you question it. But once it opens up, it’s a solid pour for the price. Not a showstopper, but definitely worth a spot on the shelf.

Black pepper and pine lead the aroma, joined by assertive anise, brine, and a distinct bready yeast. A scathing ethyl note pierces through, followed by cooling spearmint and peppermint, vegetal undertones, and a bold celery character. On the palate, anise is immediate and pronounced, quickly met by vibrant mint and a tangy burst of fruit. A smooth thread of butter, lemon-lime citrus, faint hay, grassy tones, and fleeting flashes of black licorice with brine. The finish arrives swiftly but leaves an impression—orange citrus, light grassy notes, and a delicate yet persistent anise thread that clings subtly before fading. Overall strongly herbal and spice-driven.

Aroma opens with cooked agave, peppermint, hay, and a clear thread of minerality. The ethyl presence is surprisingly soft, allowing limestone, citrus, anise, brine, and bold green vegetal notes to come through with clarity. The palate mirrors the nose. Prominent cooked agave, peppermint, raspberry, and anise take the lead. A brief flash of black pepper, cacao, and lime citrus follows, alongside petrichor and a bready yeast tone touched with honey, balancing the tang and spice. The finish is grassy and citrusy, with faint roasted nuts and a light, fleeting trace of honey.

Decent palate and finish

Not barrel heavy on the nose and easy going palate. Doesn’t thrill me