Reviews / 5 Sentidos Tobala - Alberto Martinez
Review ·
5 Sentidos Tobala - Alberto Martinez
Martinez on tobalá – the category reference at a reasonable price
Score: 4.5/5 agaves
- Producer: 5 Sentidos
- Maestro: Alberto Martinez
- Region: Santa Catarina Albarradas, Oaxaca
- Agave: Tobala
- ABV: 46.2%
- Price: $90–150 ($$$)
Verdict
Nineteen consensus reviews at 4.5 puts this in the small club of unambiguously excellent catalog bottles. Comparable to a Real Minero tobalá at a slightly gentler price; comparable to a Jolgorio tobalá without the marketing overhead. Martinez's clay technique gives the liquid a particular textural richness that copper doesn't quite match. Few tobalás at this price argue harder for themselves.
If you can't buy Real Minero's tobalá this week, this is what you reach for
Tasting notes
Nose: Wildflower, ripe pear, wet stone, faint mint
Palate: Tobalá is where 5 Sentidos really shines and Martinez's version at 46.2% through clay is the closest the catalog comes to a guaranteed satisfaction – floral lift, mineral base, creamy mid-palate. The proof is a hair lower than we'd optimize but the technique compensates
Finish: Floral, stone – long
The bottom line
Go find it. The best value reference tobalá in 5 Sentidos' catalog