Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Most tequilas you find on the shelf are 40 ABV. But not this beauty. Right here she is maxed out. Terra deliberated, high proof, bottled at the legal limit for tequila 55 ABV. Today we're going to dive into why this isn't just stronger, but it's bold, cleaner and one of the most flavorful blancos I've had this year so far. This is produced at nom 1626 in the Valles, the valley of Jalisco around the town of Tequila. Terra de Libertad is the creation of founder Juan Pina and master distiller Ricardo Rodriguez. This tequila is made with deep respect for tradition. Estate grown agaves roasted in brick ovens to hona, crushed, fermented with native yeast in stainless steel tanks. Double distilled in small pot stills. No shortcuts, no additives, just pure agave flavor. Now, 55 ABV is not just a marketing flex. It's the absolute legal maximum for tequila. And why does that matter? Well, high proof means more concentration of flavors and aromas. You'll see it with some other legendary brands, all from the highlands like Tapatito 110, Terra Alto Blanco 110. Or even Sammy Hagar and Guy Fieri's Santofina Blanco 110. But Terra de Libertad has its own twist. One is from the Valles and two, it's got a unique depth that comes from their production style and their agave source. Let's dive in. Okay. Wow. On the nose. There's a. Just a little bit of funk, an almost cheesy lactic note. It mellows out and turns into cooked agave. So some vanilla and marshmallow. I also get some lime, citrus, a little black pepper and a hint of cinnamon with some anise. It's lively, it's layered, it's got a lot to. It's got a lot of power going on here. Let's dive into the taste of this one big time. Cooked agave up front has a sweet creaminess that balances out that punch of the proof. You would think you would really be able to tell this is a high proof. It's got a little peppery in it, but it's very easy to drink that creaminess. It's got a fruitiness like a. And a buttery taste to it. Has a lot of minerality, a lot of baking spices. It's rich, it's oily, it really coats your mouth. It's exactly what you'd want from a great high proof Valles tequila without any of the harshness. The finish seems to linger forever. That sweetness from the agave, the pepper, it kind of rides all the way down as it starts to disappear. Despite this being 110 proof, it's surprisingly approachable. A little ice, a little water may open this up even more flavor wise, but for me, I'm a neat drinker, so this is exactly how I drink drink it and neat. It's just full of complexity. Now I will admit this isn't your poolside zipper. This is for one of those nights when you want to taste everything agave has to offer. It's also an incredible bottle for blind tastings and introducing friends to the world of great agave. Forward High Proof tequilas Terra de Libertad 55 ABV, a traditional tequila turned up to 11 again NOM 1626 founder Juan Pina and master distiller Ricardo Rodriguez have delivered something that competes with and in a lot of ways outshines the other heavy hitters in this category. It is definitely a must try for serious tequila lovers. If you've enjoyed this deep dive, hit the like button, subscribe and let other people know. Let me know in the comments. What's your favorite high proof tequila? If you haven't tried Terra Deliber Tad yet, find a bottle, pour it neat and taste what this high proof is all about.
