Cinco Sentidos Cucharilla con Espadin

Verdict

Martinez has the technique to make almost anything drinkable, but cucharilla pushes the limits of what 'drinkable' should include. The bottle exists to document that the region's producers will distill what the hills provide, which is historically valuable and aesthetically underwhelming. If you're a completist you'll want it; everyone else should spend the same money on his straight arroqueño. Skip unless you collect.

Tasting notes

Nose: Green stalk, dry herb, boiled vegetable, a whiff of kerosene

Palate: Cucharilla is a non-agave bromeliad distilled for curiosity; even blended with espadín at 49.6% the liquid never fully resolves, drifting vegetal where you want something richer

Finish: Short, herbal, slightly bitter

The bottom line

Skip. Get his sierra negra or arroqueño instead