Reviews / Maguey Melate Lamparillo - Juan Carlos Vasquez Luna
Review · · by The Editors
Maguey Melate Lamparillo - Juan Carlos Vasquez Luna
Juan Carlos Vasquez Luna – lamparillo at 69.8% and nothing breaks
Score: 5.0/5 agaves
- Producer: Maguey Melate
- Maestro: Juan Carlos Vasquez Luna
- Region: Nombre de Dios, Durango
- Agave: Lamparillo
- ABV: 69.8%
- Price: $70 ($)
Verdict
Honor Juan Carlos Vasquez Luna by name and commit, the consensus five is earned. Lamparillo at 69.8% is an audacious choice and he makes it work through cut discipline that most producers couldn't match at half the proof. Closer to what Macurichos accomplishes with its best puntas releases than any commercial high-ABV bottle. Buy before the shelf is empty.
Lamparillo at 69.8% – confident in a way most high-proof bottles can't afford to be
Tasting notes
Nose: Concentrated pine walks in first. Then hot granite, wild honey, dry pepper
Palate: Duranguense still at 69.8% – Juan Carlos Vasquez Luna pushes lamparillo past where most producers would dare, and the cuts hold. Every note concentrated, not aggressive; the Durango wild agave has the structure to carry it
Finish: Warming, densely mineral
The bottom line
A reference-grade high-ABV Durango. Take it