Reviews / Palenqueros Tobaziche - Tobala

Review · · by The Editors

Palenqueros Tobaziche - Tobala

Tobaziche-tobalá ensamble – saline and honey in the same glass

Score: 3.5/5 agaves

Palenqueros Tobaziche - Tobala bottle
  • Producer: Palenqueros
  • Maestro: Juan Hernandez
  • Region: Ocotlán, Oaxaca
  • Agave: Tobala, Tobaziche
  • ABV: 49%
  • Price: $95 ($$)

Verdict

Ensambles that pair a karwinskii with a potatorum are a classic structural move in Oaxaca, mineral-saline meets honey-floral, and Palenqueros' interpretation is cleanly executed. The bottle doesn't reach the heights of the five-agave ensamble from the same house, but it's a useful introduction to the form. Reach for it as an ensamble study piece.

The karwinskii-tobalá pairing is Oaxaca's sweet-and-sour

Tasting notes

Nose: Wet stone, wildflower honey, green pepper, mineral top

Palate: 49% ensamble with tobaziche providing the iron-tinged-saline frame and tobalá bringing the high-floral sweetness on top. The two ends of the Oaxaca wild-agave spectrum holding hands

Finish: Long, minerally, floral

The bottom line

Reach for it. A classic Oaxaca ensamble structure, cleanly made

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