Macheé Amarillo

Verdict

Amarillo is one of the less-bottled karwinskii sub-varietals and Machee's single-varietal version at 49.8% is a category contribution as well as a good pour. The agave's vegetal signature is front-forward and the proof gives it the concentration to hold through the mid-palate. Think of it next to Real Minero's karwinskii range – similar commitment, slightly louder production.

Tasting notes

Nose: Green pepper. Then warm stone, dry mint, a cooked-agave edge

Palate: 49.8% is above the standard karwinskii proof and the amarillo's vegetal signature is cleanly intact – the bottle carries as Machee's study of the agave without softening. The rhodacantha-adjacent character adds a mineral lift

Finish: Peppery, drying

The bottom line

A high-proof karwinskii worth the shelf space