Casta Tribal Ensamble 203

Item: Casta Tribal Ensamble 203
Rating: 3.0
Author: The Editors

Cuishe-espadín ensamble at 40% – the proof is the issue

Score: 3.0/5 agaves

Producer: Casta Tribal Mezcal
Maestro: Cipriano Hernandez, Jose Diaz Bustamante
Region: Ejutla, Miahuatlán, Oaxaca
Agave: Cuishe, Espadin
ABV: 40%
Price: $70 ($$)

Verdict

A reasonable commercial ensamble. Casta Tribal's 203 release – cuishe-espadín at 40% – undersells with the proof choice. The cuishe's vegetal spine reads clearly enough that the composition isn't a total wash, but 40% caps what either agave can do structurally. Casta Tribal's higher-proof releases elsewhere in the range demonstrate the producer can do more. Consensus 3.5 is generous; we score 3. Buy Banhez Ensamble instead.

Casta Tribal undersells with the proof

Tasting notes

Nose: Green pepper, then cooked agave, faint smoke

Palate: Light-bodied, the cuishe's vegetal spine is legible but attenuated

Finish: Dry – medium

The bottom line

Buy Banhez Ensamble instead