Reviews / NETA Tequilana

Review · · by The Editors

NETA Tequilana

Cándido García Cruz's San Luis Amatlán tequilana at 49%, the tequilana mezcal actually has an argument

Score: 3.5/5 agaves

NETA Tequilana bottle
  • Producer: NETA
  • Maestro: Candido García Cruz
  • Region: San Luis Amatlan, Oaxaca
  • Agave: Azul
  • ABV: 49%
  • Price: $190 ($$)

Verdict

Tequilana is the agave tequila is made from, and mezcal-ifying it is usually gimmick. Cándido García Cruz's 49% version is the exception, enough proof and enough Oaxacan fermentation to pull the agave into mezcal territory. Six reviewers at 3.6; our read matches. An A/B bottle for tequila drinkers curious about mezcal without switching agaves.

Tequilana as mezcal is a legitimate experiment. Cándido makes it work

Tasting notes

Nose: Cooked pineapple walks in first. Then green herb, warm stone, a restrained smoke

Palate: 49% tequilana distilled as mezcal, the Jalisco agave in Oaxacan hands, with more mineral structure and less caramel than a tequila reading

Finish: Savory, chalky

The bottom line

Buy for the tequila-drinker conversion

Where to buy online

We found this bottle at 3 US retailers. Prices and stock vary – click through to check.

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