Tequila Ocho Añejo Cerro Grande 2020

Nose: Caramel, cinnamon, roasted agave Palate: Caramel, pepper, hint of pineapple, hint of olive brine

The initial nose is smokey, like BBQ smoke. It is savoury and fat. There is a bit of pepper and agave nectar, but the smoke is forward. Palate- Pepper and vanilla are front and center. Almost tabasco like upon entry and then it transitions to vanilla pod sweetness. There is some heat here, both with the peppery notes and then with some ethanol. Finish- this is a long, spicy finish. Black peppercorn is the note it goes out on along with a puff of BBQ smoke, almost like mesquite. Overall- The balance seemed a tad off for me. More on the spicy side and needs more sweetness. This drinks a bit hot with some rpugh edges on it. I would like this to be a touch sweeter and perhaps more aged to round out some of the straight up peppercorn and tabasco. My suggestion is hold off for now.