Siembra Valles Ancestral Tequila Blanco (750Ml)

Siembra Valles Ancestral Blanco is tequila made the very old way. David Suro Piñera’s Siembra brand makes it with Tequila Cascahuin in the Valles region of Jalisco. The agave is single-estate blue Weber. It’s bottled unaged at about 100 proof.

Nearly every step is done by hand. The agave roasts in an earthen pit. Workers crush it with wooden mallets, then ferment it in wooden tanks. It’s distilled in Filipino-style stills of wood and copper and in a small pot still. The result feels closer to old-school mezcal than to modern tequila.

The nose shows cooked agave, damp earth and a soft wisp of smoke. On the palate you’ll find roasted agave, black pepper and more smoke, with herbal and mineral touches. Some tasters also pick up olive brine and a celery-like vegetal note. The texture is silky and full. The finish stays long, earthy and herbal, with a little sweetness.

Critics rate it highly. Drinkhacker scored it 95 points, and The Daily Pour gave it 91.

Pour it neat at room temperature in a small glass. Give it a few minutes, because the citrus grows as it sits. Serve it with ceviche, grilled vegetables or goat cheese.

This is a bottle for agave fans who want to taste where tequila began. If you enjoy smoky mezcal, you’ll feel right at home.