Pal'alma Oaxaca - Tobaxiche

Verdict

Karwinskii agaves reward committed producers and punish timid ones, and Palalma is unambiguously committed. This tobaziche at 56% does what the species should – mineral-forward, slow-unfolding, with a structure that holds up to scrutiny. Track against Real Minero's tobaziche for the canonical reference; Palalma sits close.

Tasting notes

Nose: Wet stone with saline, white pepper

Palate: 56% of tobaziche with all the karwinskii markers intact – mineral, saline, aggressively vegetal, with a sweetness buried underneath that rewards patience

Finish: Mineral, dry. Long

The bottom line

Buy when you're ready to argue about karwinskii