Sneakeater Posted July 24, 2020 Share Posted July 24, 2020 Over the last year or so, Sotol has been the new fave on the block in Mexican spirits. It's distilled from a succulent that isn't agave, but is closely related. It comes from the north -- Chihuaha and thereabouts -- rather than the south (Oaxaca for Mezcal or Jalisco for Tequila). Since people like me have nothing else to do now than write, read, listen to records, and drink (and I guess eat) (well, sell the writing -- but that's hardly worth discussing), it seemed like a good time to gain entry into Sotolworld. I'm trying something tonight that's often characterized as one of the weirder Sotols: La Higuera Dasylirion Leiophyllum. You hear how there's a total disjunction with this bottling between the nose and the palate. You hear how, on the palate, it tastes like salami. (I actually bought this out of curiosity over what a distilled liquor that tastes like salami would be like.) Well, I'm here to tell you that this isn't that weird. (And that, as someone who eats more sausage than most, I can say with a lot of confidence that this doesn't taste much like salami.) It's also pretty great. I thought it would taste a lot like Mezcal. That it would be a subtle variation, now being marketed cuz, why not? It doesn't taste like Mezcal. It lacks that overwhelming smokiness (which, to be clear, I love). But it doesn't taste like Tequila, either. Cuz it's MUCH more interesting and multidimensional. You get a grassy, vegtal nose. Then, when it hits your tongue . . . it's hard to describe it (except to say: I'm not tasting salami). A thick, tongue-covering flavor -- but not an overbearing one. Some Sotols, I read, close with berry fruit. But not this one. I'd almost invoke Guisados -- but really not quite (and the wrong part of Mexico anyway) (I mean, I'm sure they have worms in Chihuaha -- but they must be DIFFERENT worms). Right now, I'm thinking this is too distinctive to lose in a cocktail. I'll probably think differently deeper into the bottle. For now, I'm just telling you this: jump on the Sotol train. You'll be happy you did. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sneakeater Posted July 24, 2020 Author Share Posted July 24, 2020 I shouldn't be pouring myself a second glass. I am. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sneakeater Posted July 24, 2020 Author Share Posted July 24, 2020 ADMINS: I was so excited to be drinking this, I misspelled its name in the title. Should be "Sotol" NOT "Sotal". When one of you gets a chance, can you correct? SORRY!!!!!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sneakeater Posted July 24, 2020 Author Share Posted July 24, 2020 Tastes more like Tequila than Mezcal. But better than most Tequila. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LiquidNY Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 I've tried Flor Del Desierto sotol. Didn't care for it. Like tequila, but not as good and had a weird vegetal taste. Drinkable, but I wouldn't buy it again. I guess I can't write off all sotol based on a sample of one, but the initial experience wasn't great. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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