Reviews / Cuentacuentos El Barro
Review · · by The Editors
Cuentacuentos El Barro
Matatlán espadín in clay – the method is working overtime
Score: 3.0/5 agaves
- Producer: Cuentacuentos
- Maestro: Ricardo Ruíz
- Region: Santiago Matatlán, Oaxaca
- Agave: Espadin
- ABV: 46%
- Price: $48 ($)
Verdict
El Barro is Cuentacuentos' argument that clay-pot distillation transforms even workhorse espadín, and the bottle half-makes the case. It's more distinctive than most Matatlán espadín at its price but it doesn't reach the heights the brand's wild bottles do. Buy it for the method lesson; skip if you want the label's peak.
Clay distillation can't rewrite Matatlán espadín – only accent it
Tasting notes
Nose: A green top over cooked agave, banana, wet clay
Palate: 46% ABV is honest but the Matatlán espadín source is what it is – Ricardo Ruíz extracts an earthier profile via clay than you'd expect from a standard copper espadín
Finish: Earthy, clean, medium
The bottom line
A pedagogical bottle; the brand's wild agaves are where the money goes
Where to buy online
We found this bottle at 3 US retailers. Prices and stock vary – click through to check.