Square Bottle. 2010 Marbete.

Marbete from 2007 Nose: First pass brings oak and barrel spice. This quickly takes on vanilla and butterscotch tones. Pleasant ripe fruit and bold mature agave. Light cellar and earth notes. Flavor: Caramel, almond, nutmeg with a black pepper kick. Robust barrel spices. The slightest bit of bitterness at the tail end. Finish: Butterscotch and pepper dominate a fairly long finish.

This is the first tequila that has ever really impressed me. I love the the depth and complexity of a good single malt Scotch, but had never found a tequila that could match that. Now, I have! Initially, the nose seemed unimpressive; had that kind of heavy note that is typical of tequilas. the first taste was very floral Over the next few minutes, the nose opened up and the pallet began evince notes of citrus, then vanilla, then spice. it never lost its tequila distinctiveness, but its complexity and depth of character left me wanting more, and gave me hope that maybe I can enjoy tequilas like I enjoy single malt Scotch. Perhaps even more so!