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Samples at Mexico in a Bottle
Protero Grande - Revisit and Review I first tried a neck pour of this bottle a few weeks ago. I didn’t take notes, but I told anyone who was interested that I was very disappointed. Figured I might’ve been unfair to a fresh crack, so I’m going back now to revisit with a clean slate and give it a fair, impartial review. Nose: Heavy oak and whiskey barrel right up front. There’s some lift with black pepper and a citrus zing that cuts through a bit - but I’m honestly struggling to pick out clear agave. It’s in there, but buried. The alcohol is prominent and doesn’t do a great job of staying out of the way. Palate & Mouthfeel: Medium oily mouthfeel, which I like. The whiskey character is strong, but it surprisingly doesn’t steamroll the agave. They actually play off each other decently. There’s a leathery undertone that adds some grip and depth, which I enjoy against the pop of orange citrus. It’s lighter and brighter than I expected it to be, though I still wouldn’t call it light or bright. Just a nice surprise in tone compared to the nose. Finish: This is where it drops off for me. Any nuance or complexity fades fast, and all that’s left is pepper. Not harsh, just flat. Final Thoughts: This one’s a bit of a dichotomy - flashes of something interesting, but ultimately not cohesive enough to justify the price unless you’re snagging it at a California Costco. A noticeable step up from the neck pour and better than I originally gave it credit for. There are elements I enjoy, and it does some things well - but it doesn’t land in that top tier for me.
Aroma: 21 Nice depth and evolution. Herbal notes of grass, asparagus, and mint punch through the forefront. Sweet cooked agave soon follows with mild vanilla. Finally a slight blast of lemon citrus brings up the rear. Overall, it’s very pleasant. Palate: 25 Medium viscous mouth feel. Slightly heavy feel. Palate is more spicy than the aroma suggested. Lots of pepper with gentle citrus. The oak and vanilla really start to pop the longer it opens up. This steers closer to a blanco than an anejo. Not as much barrel influence as I would have hoped for. That is not say it’s not good, because it is definitely a quality pour. Finish: 21 While the bulk of the flavor dissipates within 30 seconds, the oak and vanilla lingers in the back of my tongue for several minutes. Value: 7 $45 in New Hampshire. Great value for a quality additive free repo from a proven brand.
Very easy to sip. Agave is retained on the pallet which Ocho is amazing at doing.
Sample
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Aroma: sweet agave, pineapple, olives, green apples, marjoram, caramel. Palate: pepper, ripe pineapple, agave, cinnamon, olive. Finish: strong medium, peppery sweet