April 8, 2024 We met Jose and Sandy at Quinta don jose in Tlaquepaque with Heidi Anderson and were invited to do a tasting. I am honored to have been able to sample this tequila because it is extremely expensive, so i would not have been able to try it otherwise. If you have the money ($1,850 US) and are interested in beautiful bottles that have good, additive-free juice inside, then this might be for you. This is a boutique tequila for a niche market. Tasting Notes: XA -50 months aged 92 proof Nose: barrel spices cognac apricot oak Taste: a little fizz at the beginning very sweet Finish: oak finish Overall: I enjoyed it, though I'm more of a blanco sipper. Rating would have been a few points higher, but price brought it down. I want to note that Fundación Canto en Flor manages and allocates 24% of the profits for reinvestment and growth of their artisan suppliers. This means that vulnerable communities in states such as Guerrero, Michoacán, Chiapas, Tabasco, Jalisco, Oaxaca, Veracruz and others have access to professionalization, training, new sales channels, technologies, more and  better employment, benefits superior to those of the law and many more benefits, with the aim of improving the quality of life of artisans, in addition to continuing to preserve 100% Mexican culture and products, promoting good practices and fair prices. This is an amazing cause, which made it challenging for me to provide a value for this product. The value assigned in the Tequila Matchmaker app will increase or decrease the overall rating of the product. Although Flor y Canto's cause is praiseworthy, the cost/value brought my rating down.

Had a chance to try this while in Jalisco Mexico with the founder and a group of friends. This XA is aged five years in American Oak. The bottle is stunning! But more importantly, the tequila inside is a true luxury sipper. AND it’s verified added a free! Notes of, caramel, honey, chocolate, light tobacco, and baking spices on the nose. The long barrel aging time gives this Tequila, a nice silky mouth feel with notes of caramel, vanilla, baking spices, dark fruits and hints of wine (even though the barrels were not previously used for wine). This is a lovely extra extra splurge and if I could afford it, I would always have a bottle in my bar lol! I understand and respect that there is a niche market for this bottle so kudos to everyone who is able to purchase one of these gems.