5 Sentidos Barril - Sergio Juárez Patricio

Verdict

Single-variety barril is rare on shelves because the agave's density is easier to carry in an ensamble than alone, and because most producers don't have the nerve. Sergio Juárez Patricio has the nerve; at 48% the karwinskii weight lands cleanly without the ensamble crutch. Track Juárez Patricio's name across the 5 Sentidos releases; he's one of the maestros worth following.

Tasting notes

Nose: Warm earth, dried herb, cooked agave, dark fruit

Palate: Dense at 48% – barril's weight framed by 5 Sentidos discipline. Barril is an agave that rarely gets single-variety treatment because it's hard to handle without blending; Juárez Patricio's version makes the case that solo barril deserves the category space

Finish: Drying, warm, with a slow earth fade

The bottom line

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