El Destilado Papalome

Verdict

Papalome from Ixcatlán is a story told in a small voice, and Amando Alvarez tells it straight. The 46.4% proof is the only real quibble – another point or two and it would sit with the best potatorum bottles El Destilado has put out. Still a hunt, just don't expect a loud one.

Tasting notes

Nose: White pepper, then damp stone, dried chamomile, smoked pear

Palate: Ixcatlán papalome (a cousin of tobalá) delivers a lean, floral backbone. Clay adds a dusty minerality; 46.4% is the one place the bottle gives ground – it wants another couple of points to really open

Finish: Medium-long, floral, dry

The bottom line

Buy if you like subtle wild potatorum