Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Hoven might be the most misunderstood and most exciting category in all of tequila. Most people think tequila is either a blanco or reposado or an anejo. But a hoven, that's where the master blenders get to paint outside the lines. Today, I'm breaking down hoven tequila and what it actually is, how it's made and why two are never the same, and why a lot of tequila connoisseurs. Hoven is one of their favorite expressions, and I'll walk you through three very different examples. Xolo Exquintle, hoven, Las lorhoeven and this cascanes number seven. Hoven. What is a hoven? That's easy. Hoven means young. But here's the key that most people miss. Hoven is not single style. It's a category defined by blending. A hoven tequila is typically a blend of blanco tequila with an aged tequila, reposado, anejo or even extra anejo. Sometimes it's mostly blanco with just a touch of aged structure. Other times it's a carefully layered blend meant to highlight contrast. And unlike aging alone, blending gives producers full creative control. How is a Hoban tequila created? Well, that's where it gets interesting. There's no universal formula for a hoeven. A producer can decide which blanco to use, which aged tequila to add, what percentage of each. Whether the goal is brightness, depth, texture or balance, it all depends on what the producer's looking to highlight. You get fresh agave from the blanco. You get oak, influence, sweetness, spice, rich of aged components. And when it's done right, you get something special that can't exist in one of those special single barrel releases. This is why Hoeven's has a kind of a cult following. It's still a vibrant agave, yet complex without overpowering oak. And the intention of the design is not just time in the barrel. For a lot of seasoned drinkers, hoven is where the distillery philosophy shows the master blender's fingerprint is the most visible. Let's get into some examples. Xolo Exquintle Hoven is a great example of balance. First, it's high proof. It's 100% blue Weber Agave. It's 80% Blanco, 10% Reposado and 10% Anejo. So here the blanco is the background that keeps the agave front and center with those age compounds, adds some roundness, some subtle sweetness and the texture without taking away the freshness. This is a hoven that drinks clean, elegant and intentional. It's not flashy. And the proof that The Hoven doesn't need to be complex or heavy, but those different blends of the repo, anejo and the blanco at the higher proof gives it so much flavor. Las lower Hoven leans into storytelling through blending. This one is 60% blanco, 40% repo, and brought to you at 92 proof. The age components play a bigger role here, bringing a little deeper oak tone, some warm spice and a rich mouthfeel. But it never forgets that blanco's the base and the agave Speaks like loud. I'm telling you, when it comes to blending and making a tequila, Sergio Cruz knows exactly how to touch that tequila in a way that makes it special every single time. And that's why he's on the bottle. Cascane's Hoben is a favorite among hardcore tequila fans for a reason. This one is 59% Blanco, 26% Anejo, 13% Reposado, and 2% extra on Yeho. This just shows how precise blending can deliver. High impact agave, serious complexity and a long evolving finish. A bold structure that's layered, a Hoven that doesn't try to imitate aging, just redefine it. So here are some takeaways for me. Hoven isn't a shortcut, a gimmick, or a lesser category. When done right, it's creative and expressive. It's the art of the blender. And it's one of the most dynamic styles of tequila because five or six different ones can all have different blends and all really give you something different that's got a lot of satisfaction in each one. That's why a lot of connoisseurs and big fans of tequila, they get one Hoven and it becomes their favorite category. If you've written off Hoven before, now's your time to jump back in and give it a try. Let me know in the comments if you've had these Hovens what your favorite Hoven is and what your favorite category of tequila is. If this was helpful, hit the like and subscribe button. Drop me a comment, let me know other things that you'd like me to review or talk about. And thanks for tuning in to my videos. Have a great night.
