Carreño Tepeztate

Item: Carreño Tepeztate
Rating: 3.5
Author: The Editors

Tepextate at 46%. The Carreño range's underachiever

Score: 3.5/5 agaves

Producer: Carreño Mezcal
Maestro: Aureliano Hernandez
Region: San Dionisio Ocotlán, Oaxaca
Agave: Tepextate
ABV: 46%
Price: $60 ($$)

Verdict

The weakest bottle in Carreño's range. Tepextate at 46% is the category's chronic undersell, the 25-year agave asks for more proof than 46% provides, and even Carreño's exceptional discipline can't overcome the structural cap. When a producer whose espadín scores 5.0 delivers tepextate at 3.5, the proof choice is the signal. Reviewer consensus aligns. Buy the espadín or the seven-agave ensamble.

Tepextate at 46% undersells

Tasting notes

Nose: Wildflower, wet stone, muted white pepper

Palate: Aromatic but underpowered at 46% – tepextate asks for more proof

Finish: Cooling. Long

The bottom line

Buy the espadín or ensamble