Rufina Verde

Item: Rufina Verde
Rating: 4.5
Author: The Editors

Verde at 46%. Wild agave handled without theatrics

Score: 4.5/5 agaves

Producer: Rufina Mezcal
Maestro: Bulmaro Sanchez Lucas
Region: San Luis Amatlan, Oaxaca
Agave: Verde
ABV: 46.28%
Price: $200 ($$)

Verdict

Verde is one of the more underrated wild agaves – producers tend to either showboat it or underprove it. Bulmaro Sánchez Lucas does neither. This hits like the Rey Campero verde in register, with a slightly cooler temperament. 4.5 is fair and hard-earned.

A verde that trusts you to notice it

Tasting notes

Nose: Green pepper, then dried herb, wet granite, faint citrus

Palate: 46.28% – Bulmaro plays it lower than the tepextate-owed 48+ and gets away with it because verde is slightly gentler agave; the result is clean, herbal, saline, with real cut

Finish: Cool, grassy-mineral. Long

The bottom line

Hunt it for anyone who thinks they've covered wild agave