Reviews / Koch Tepextate
Review · · by The Editors
Koch Tepextate
Scaled tepextate – a varietal that needs the knife-edge
Score: 3.0/5 agaves
- Producer: Koch Mezcal
- Maestro: Pedro Hernandez
- Region: San Baltazar Guélavila, Oaxaca
- Agave: Tepextate
- ABV: 47%
- Price: $70 ($$)
Verdict
Koch's tepextate is a capable reading of a difficult agave at a proof that just barely serves it. You get the marmorata character, but without the volume the best independent tepextates carry. Pass for the Gusto Histórico Flor Sánchez or Ramos Puntas above; buy only if it's the only tepextate in front of you and you need one.
A tepextate playing it safe
Tasting notes
Nose: White pepper with green pepper, faint floral
Palate: 47% – Pedro Hernandez's tepextate at 47% is capable but restrained; tepextate lives at 48%+ for most serious releases, and at 47% Koch's scaled version feels slightly flatter than the Flor Sánchez or La Higuera tepextates
Finish: Peppery, clean – medium
The bottom line
Pass. Scaled tepextate loses edge
Where to buy online
We found this bottle at 5 US retailers. Prices and stock vary – click through to check.