Reviews / Cinco Sentidos Papalote Reposado

Review · · by The Editors

Cinco Sentidos Papalote Reposado

Guerrero papalote rested in glass – a risk with an aromatic agave

Score: 3.5/5 agaves

Cinco Sentidos Papalote Reposado bottle
  • Producer: 5 Sentidos
  • Maestro: Emiliano Gutiérrez, Tomás Gutiérrez
  • Region: Tepehuixco, Guerrero
  • Agave: Cupreata
  • ABV: 46.9%
  • Price: $150 ($$)

Verdict

No consensus to reference, which is typical for glass-rested specialty releases. The bottle is capable work but the format works against the agave, papalote's aromatic lift is its best feature, and resting dulls it. If you want rested mezcal, take the Anatolio Ramirez espadín at 51.8% (also aged in glass, but with proof that holds up). If you want papalote, take any of the straight jovens.

Aging papalote is a choice that trades lift for roundness

Tasting notes

Nose: Wildflower, then faint wood, cooked agave, dry cedar

Palate: Glass aging on papalote isn't inherently wrong, but it dulls some of the florals that make the agave distinctive. At 46.9% Emiliano and Tomás Gutiérrez's technique is clean; the format is the question

Finish: Floral, slightly muted

The bottom line

A pass. Rested mezcal works better on denser agaves

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